The Faces of Change: Beth and Osmond
In this fifth and final article of Series One of The Faces of Change series, we turn to two more agents of transformation—Beth and Osmond. Both have harnessed their creativity and passion to make a real impact through The Agency. Their journeys demonstrate how young people with bold ideas can shape their communities and push boundaries, all with the support of a platform that believes in them.
Photographed by Alumni Agents Bounty Vegah, Beth and Osmond embody The Agency’s mission: to empower young people, foster collaboration, and ignite change from within. Through their individual projects and collective experiences, they inspire others to take risks, trust the process, and drive meaningful social change.
Beth Q&A
What was the most memorable experience you had during your time with The Agency?
My most memorable experience was when I spoke at parliament. Being able to stand on that stage was something that was so difficult for me but I was so proud of myself of doing it.
Has being part of The Agency influenced your personal or professional life?
The Agency has impacted me personally massively. When I joined, I was so shy and afraid of speaking in front of others. It made me come out of my shell and become a confident person. I would like to say now I’m very confident and you can’t shut me up.
I have chosen a career which involves public speaking and I wouldn’t have been able to do this without of doing the Agency.
What advice would you give to new participants joining The Agency?
Just embrace the process. It might seem a bit strange but there is a method in the madness and it is an amazing project. I would say it’s ok to be shy and not want to share your desires - you may not be use to being heard as a young person. Embrace it and you’ll be fine.
Since you took part in the programme, has anyone you know become an Agent?
A few of my old friends completed the Agency a couple of years after me.
Have you developed your project since leaving The Agency?
I developed my project for a little bit after the Agency but after that I focused on academic pathways. I am lucky that my project is one that I could always pick back up.
Do you have a favourite quote or motto?
My favourite quote is “from the ashes, the phoenix rises”. I love this because no matter how hard life knocks you down you will always come back from it better than before. I also love “without the dark, we wouldn’t see the stars” because it just shows to me we need the bad moments in life to truly appreciate the happier moments.
If you could instantly learn any skill or talent, what would it be and why?
The skill I would learn is piano. I can play other instruments but I’ve always wanted to play the piano. I think it’s beautiful.
If you were to write a book about your life, what would the title be?
The title for my book would be “The Phoenix”. I’ve been through a lot of trauma and struggles in life. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the resilience and determination I’ve got from my gran. Life will keep knocking you down but I won’t stop getting back up.
Osmond Q&A
How has being a part of The Agency programme impacted you?
The Agency has made me believe in taking an alternative route in life with the back-up of those around me having faith in my project. The Agency process was an interval of time where me and other young people were able to use kinaesthetic learning with our own topics as our main point of focus. I have met with prestigious people such as Lord Harris and Lord Salisbury. This has helped my project become what it is today.
How has being part of The Agency influenced your personal or professional life?
The Agency was groundbreaking for me, as I was able to find my potential! My project has grown from a small idea, earning more money, to having a positive effect within my wider community.
If you were to write a book about your life, what would the title be?
BIG ESTATE OF MIND… or Young hero of the blocks... or Street samaritan
Osmond, from the Winstanley Estate, first came into contact with Battersea Arts Centre in August 2014. He was 14 when he first applied to The Agency. Although he was technically too young to join, the strength of his idea and his sheer enthusiasm won us over. Through The Agency, Osmond developed a board game called Life Is What U Make It, based on the Winstanley Estate. Having experienced pressure from gangs at a young age, both personally and through his older brother, Osmond was passionate about enabling other young children to have the chance to consider their actions before it is too late. The game allows people to "play out" the different moral and economic decisions young people have to make each day growing up on an estate.
It has been tested by professional gamers and in local schools the content was refined to create a compelling and engaging resource for PHSE and Citizenship for Key Stage 3. Osmond has tested his game at Harris Academy, Battersea, Providence House Girls Group, Future Skills Pupil Referral Unit and Francis Barbour Pupil Referral Unit to engage local young people in the game's development. The game has received a further £9,000 from BBC Children in Need and £2,700 from the Wandsworth Youth Opportunity Fund.
Impressed with the game, the creator of the Agencia, Marcus Faustini, invited Osmond to Rio to present his game at the NOW 2015 Festival to over 450 young people taking part in the programme. Faustini promised to fund any young person who was inspired by Life Is What U Make It to create their own version for their favela community.
Osmond himself had struggled in mainstream education, however, through The Agency saw himself as a success and a role model for other young people. In September 2016, Osmond returned to education to study Creative Media Levels 1 and 2, and to resit his Maths and English GCSEs.
Life Is What U Make It, continues to receive funding and was awarded an additional £25,000 in 2022 by Portal Trust. Osmond has remained engaged with The Agency and BAC.
Enjoyed this read? This was the last article in our first ever series ‘The Faces of Change’ keep an eye out for more very soon!
In the meantime take a look at some more of the fantastic portraits taken by Bounty Vegah and Chimna Orji to celebrate 10 years of The Agency in the UK.
