Youth charity appoints new chief executive

Jessica Taplin, who is currently chief executive of Get Connected – a UK telephone helpline for under-25s – will take up her new position next spring.

The charity said Taplin will help develop a new growth strategy for vInspired and work to renew its focus of inspiring large numbers of young people into social action.

“vInspired is an organisation that has changed the face of youth social action and I am looking forward to the thrilling challenge of building on that track record,” she said.

??“It’s an organisation that is driven by young people’s creativity and passion, and a belief that they have the ability to create change in communities and in their own lives.   ??

“In an environment where, more than ever, young people need opportunities to prove themselves beyond the education system, there is huge scope for vInspired to inspire thousands more into social action and, ultimately, into successful employment.”

Taplin will replace Frances Mapstone, who joined vInspired in May 2015 as interim chief executive.

??While working at Get Connected, Taplin has overseen a 27 per cent increase in the number of under-25s being supported, with 228,000 young people being reached last year. ??

David Frost, chairman of vInspired, said: “vInspired has always led the way with new and exciting ways to inspire young people into taking social action and Jessica will bring the ideal energy and experience to take it to its next level.

??“Her experience of building partnerships and her understanding of the commercial realities facing the third sector will be central to our new growth strategy, while her forward-thinking approach will keep our focus on creating programmes that really work for young people.”