Sajida Aktar joins us as Chair of our Young People’s Leadership Board (YPLB) and we’re very excited to have her support. Sajida is a local Camden resident and is busy studying Creative Writing and English Literature at the University of Westminster.

Hi Sajida. Why were you interested in becoming our YPLB Chair?

“I joined as Chair because I was interested in engaging with other young people in my community and supporting Brandon Centre in its provision of accessible mental health care and resources for young people.

I also grew up in Camden and still live here. I’m familiar with the issues for young people in my community, especially regarding care for their mental health and wellbeing.”

“I was introduced to Brandon Centre’s services when I was referred for therapy. It transformed my life for the better and I want to help make the same experience available to others.

What have you enjoyed so far, and what would you like to achieve in your role as Chair?

I’ve participated in focus groups about the service provided by therapists as well as sharing my own thoughts about the demystification of therapy in ethnic minority communities, the number of boys and men going to therapy, and the representation of race, class, and gender in this space.

I also joined Lita, Emma, and Julia in a bid for the Islington Young Grant Makers. It was an enlightening experience as I saw other young people in Islington making choices that will directly affect young people in their community.

It was initially intimidating, but I knew they would benefit from the Brandon Centre’s services greatly, and what better way to do that than to tell them how amazing it was for me?

We won the funding and I’m looking forward to more opportunities to fundraise and support the centre in the future.”

Thanks, Sajida. We’re delighted to have you on board!