At HVH Arts we have established a strong reputation for delivering high quality, large scale skills development programmes for young people from predominantly disadvantaged backgrounds. Our Youth ambassadors promote good mental health awareness, work with other young people on our progressive programmes in our Teenage Music Mentor Programme, HVH Arts Scholarship Programme as well as support our younger children in our after-school and school holiday workshops in art, photography, film and music. Our youth ambassador team is a dynamic team of volunteers who represent the charity in a number of ways. They offer young people an opportunity to share their concerns about topics that could affect their future and are advocates for their age group, wanting to implement change to improve society for young people.
Miranda Barton
Chair Youth Ambassador
I have the honour of taking on the position of Chair Youth Ambassador to support the wonderful young people who volunteer and teach at HvH ARTS! I have a background in the Arts and am currently studying Art Therapy. I have been at HvH ARTS for 4 years and the hands-on experience with the kids has been massively enriching to my education and experience. I am supporting HvH ARTS to enrich and inspire young people to grow into the next generation of innovative and passionate creatives and it is my pleasure to continue this legacy.
Emiola K Oke
HVH Arts Youth Ambassador
Hello! I’m Emiola, a student reading Neuroscience and Psychology at university. In conjunction with this, I am in pursuit of an acting career as I’ve been involved with the performing arts from a young age. I joined the Sir HvH Arts Foundation at around 14 years old when I participated in a workshop in relation to the regeneration of my area. From there, I met Debbi and found out about the amazing work and opportunities provided including one area which I focused on, photography. I attended classes in the summer and eventually was awarded a photography scholar award. Since then, I was also one of the 3 winners this year of the McCrory Award for the art of photography awarded to me by Debbi and Damien Lewis, our patron. I am so grateful to be a part of this organisation and I look forward to continuing my journey not only as a student but now as an ambassador.
Sienna Rackal
HVH Arts Youth Ambassador
I first joined Sir HVH Arts to further my knowledge and have a chance to use the amazing range of art materials at the Gallery. My interest developed and I attended courses in the holidays with some fantastic Art Tutors and completed work that I was very proud of. When I became a Youth Ambassador for the Sir HVH Arts Foundation, it was a very exciting opportunity to share the skills I have gained with younger students. I have now been awarded a Photography and Performing Arts Scholarship which has been a thrilling experience and furthered my interests even more. Having this opportunity allows me to showcase pieces of art using different types of media. It also helps me to develop leadership skills and builds my confidence skills which helps me to support other students at HVH Arts, at school and for my future career.
Manon McCrory
HVH Arts Youth Ambassador
Whilst volunteering with Debbi, I have seen all the amazing things that HvH has encouraged and helped children to accomplish. Visiting the studios and being surrounded by creativity has formed the most stimulating and exciting workplace, whether your passion is painting, music or photography! As an A level art student (also studying English and ethics/philosophy) I greatly appreciate the way in which HvH nurtures young passion and have seen how imagination and exploration can quickly manifest into incredible work! Becoming a youth ambassador means a lot to me and I’m so excited to further involve myself in everything crazy and creative 🙂
Xander Russell
HVH Arts (TMMP) Music Youth Ambassador
I joined HvH Arts last year over the Summer of 2021 on the HAF program. I have really enjoyed being a part of the HvH ARTS projects and this year I have become a Youth Ambassador for Music. I have been supporting the younger group which is being developed now as a part of The Music Mentoring Project, I teach guitar to the group 8yrs to 12yrs and I support the older cohort with Piers and Spider. My passion is music and being a part of HvH ARTS programs have grown my confidence. I am proud to be a part of the Youth Ambassador board.
Luke von Herkomer
HVH Arts (TMMP) Music Youth Ambassador
I have become a Youth Ambassador for Music. I really enjoy working with the younger kids every Saturday teaching them keyboard and arranging music. I have been supporting the younger group which is being developed now as a part of The Music Mentoring Project. I like to be able to give my skills and time and inspiring my younger peers on the HvH ARTS programs. This has really given myself confidence and supporting the project in organising the music equipment and developing my own skills in teaching. I am very proud to be a part of the Youth Ambassador board. Thank you!
Danny English
HVH Arts (TMMP) Music Youth Ambassador
I started with HvH Arts after I met Debbi at the Hall School where I did a Saturday club. She introduced me to photography and and I have been doing courses with her since. When the TMMP band started, I was playing saxophone and I have been a part of TMMP since! I am honoured to be a recipient of the McCrory Award which has enabled me to do so many great things with the charity. I mentor the younger cohort of TMMP and I love watching them develop in their instruments. I am currently studying Theatre in my second year at the BRIT School and I hope to be with HvH for many years to come!
Ondine Farlam
HVH Arts Youth Ambassador
My first experience with HVH Arts was on the summer photography course in 2021. I had a great time developing technical skills, exploring the local area, and seeing my surroundings in a different way through taking photographs. I was also inspired by the wider environment of the charity and what Debbi is achieving in helping my generation discover their talents. In summer 2022, I was lucky enough to do work experience with Debbi ahead of the summer programme, which I helped schedule and was then able to take part in, both as a student and as an assistant. I really enjoy seeing the charity from both sides, and being involved has really helped my confidence. I am very proud to be a Youth Ambassador for HVH Arts, and helping to support other young people find their self-belief and voice within the arts.
Josh Bamgbose
HVH Arts Youth Ambassador
Becoming an HvH Arts Youth Ambassador is by far the best thing that has ever happened to me. I have had so much support for my passion of acting and music. I can never be more grateful for the opportunity and experience I have had with Debbi and HvH Arts.
Thank you Debbi I really appreciate it.
Isi Klaber
HVH Arts Youth Ambassador
When volunteering at HVH Arts, it is so clear that Debbi and the whole team work so hard to create so many amazing opportunities and creative workshops for young aspiring artists and it such a joy to be a tiny part of it! I am completing an art foundation at University Arts London (UAL) this year and hoping to go on to do a Fine Art degree afterwards. I passionately believe that everyone should be given the opportunity to create art in whatever form, and HVH Arts makes this possible for so many young people and I am extremely proud to be a Youth Ambassador.
Giada Averna
HVH Arts Youth Ambassador
I started at HvhH Arts around 7 years ago, when I was in primary school. We used to do classes such as photography after school and it was there I found my passion for the arts. Since then, I’ve done courses including fashion, music, photography, graffiti, dance, drama, painting, illustration and more. I’ve made some of my best friends through HvH Arts and gotten some amazing opportunities like making our own short film, going on trips like to art exhibitions and meeting interesting and successful people. As part of the TMMP band I got the opportunity to record and release a song I wrote at Guy Chambers studio, working with Sam Sure.
Kyrah Lestrade
HVH Arts Youth Ambassador
I joined the Sir HvH ARTS Foundation when I was 14. I heard about the range of courses running through the Easter Holidays and immediately I wanted to get involved. I signed up for the music course completely unaware of how much the course would make a difference in my life. I met so many incredibly talented people and formed some of my strongest friendships and completing this course I went on to join the TMMP band that runs every Saturday at Pirate Studios. A world of opportunities opened up for me from taking just one course from the HvH foundation and I’m so grateful that I chose to get involved.
Joy Bakare
HVH Arts Music Youth Ambassador
The music mentoring programme has really helped me build my confidence. I am so grateful that I have learnt the art of producing and recording music, as well as really beneficial skills such as artwork, merchandising and lyricism. I have loved exploring professional ventures and ideas in music, which is my main passion. I could not be more grateful to Debbi and the rest of the team at HVH Arts for helping me build my profile. My aim is to eventually help and inspire young people to do the same through this programme.
