NSPCC appoints first young trustees

Sheanna Patelmaster, 24, who grew up in Manchester and Ife Grillo, 22, from London, have joined the organisation’s Board of Trustees after 166 young people applied for the positions.

The appointments run for three years and will see Sheanna and Ife sit on the NSPCC decision-making board and the charity’s young people’s advisory board.

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Within their role as trustees they will represent and reflect the voice of young people to ensure the NSPCC’s work is relevant and powerful, the organisation said.

The young trustees have already identified key areas to work on, which include improving children’s interactions with protection services and creating structural change to improve the lives of young people as well as ensuring black voices are heard.

The pair recently graduated from the universities of Cambridge and Bristol respectively. 

Ife has also served as vice-chair of the board of trustees to the British Youth Council and Sheanna has served as a youth leader and young trustee at multiple charities including Tameside Scouts.

Ife said: “I’m really humbled that I was chosen for this position and I don’t take it lightly. I’m excited to get to work to make sure young people get the representation they deserve, and I hope that I get to see more people who look like me on boards as a result.

“I have always believed that young people aren’t just the future, they are part of the present. That means their voices need to be heard at every level within society, in order for society to be effective. It means a lot to me that a leading children’s charity like the NSPCC recognises that, and I hope more organisations follow suit.”

Sheanna added: “I’m really excited at the chance to have a positive impact for young people as a young trustee, while also feeling responsible to make sure this role is successful given it’s the first time.

“I believe that young people are the best sources of information for the type of support they need, and are often aware of systemic issues that go unnoticed by adults. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to make sure that the NSPCC is able to gather young people's perspectives and ensure that institutions with significant influence over children’s lives take them into account.”

Peter Wanless, chief executive at the NSPCC, said: “I am energised by their enthusiasm already and confident that they will both be a real asset to the board, providing step change in the diversity and breadth of perspective at the top table. We stand to learn a lot from this approach and new way of working.

“Children and young people must be at the heart of everything that we do and every decision we make, across the entire organisation. We exist to fight for every childhood, and in order to do so we must be child focused at all times.”