Leading from Within: A Step Up for Alumni
Alumni Agents are taking centre stage! This year, we are welcoming more Alumni into key leadership roles – shaping the programme from within and carrying its mission into the future.
Peer Mentors: Facilitating Agents’ Journey
Every location now has a Peer Mentor, an Alumni Agent who works with the Lead Facilitator to deliver The Agency sessions. As they have been through the Agency process before, they know first-hand how The Agency can feel, and can say to new Agents with confidence: “Trust the process!”
Peer Mentors are more than support. They’re role models, collaborators, and leaders in their own right. Through training, check-ins, and development opportunities, they’re gaining skills for future opportunities both inside and beyond The Agency.
A huge welcome to Peer Mentors Ade, Demereece, Josa, Divine, Eunice, Grace, Tom, and Zarka! Together, they are keeping The Agency deeply rooted in the experiences of those who have lived it.
And in Manchester, we’re proud to have our first-ever full Alumni delivery team – a dream we hope to see at every location in three years!
Storytellers and Correspondents: Capturing the Movement
Storytelling has always been at the heart of The Agency. It’s how we share sparks of creativity, amplify voices, and show the impact of young people in action.
Alongside Max, the new Digital Storyteller, we’re introducing an inspiring team of Agency Correspondents – Alumni based at each location who will capture what The Agency feels like on the ground. Through words, images, videos and interviews, they’ll elevate local stories and ensure this movement is told from the inside out.
Meet the Agency Correspondents:
From left to right:
Máire (Belfast) – Loves musicals and theatre 🎭
Diogo (London) – Multilingual and energetic 🌍
Safa (Bolton) – Learning sign language✋
Christopher (Southampton) – Plays football for his college’s indoor team ⚽
Abdourahman (Southampton/National) – Runs his own catering company, The Gambian Kitchen 🍲
Nicola (Chester) – Makes jewellery💎
Farhad (Manchester) – Skilled in programming with Python 3 ⌨️
When we asked the Correspondents what inspires them to create and share stories, they said it’s the other Agents, the connections they can build and the ripple effect their stories can spark:
‘I’ve seen how one story can give someone the courage to tell their own, and that ripple effect inspires me to keep going.’ - Safa
We’re also excited to see Amara continue leading our TikTok channel, bringing us humour, energy and creativity. Together, they’ll make sure Agents’ stories - no matter big or small, local or national, are told loud, proud, and with heart. Follow us on socials to see what they’ll create!
Want to read more Alumni stories? Check out the Faces of Change here.