Youth Council

I'm a psychology student. I joined the Ambitious Youth Council because I had been a member of the Youth Network and given how much I had been enjoying my time working on it, I decided that it was time for me to step up and do a bigger role with Ambitious, leading me to join the Youth Council. I would like to make new connections with other autistic people and gain valuable experience in a new area in the form of contributing to governance, as up to now, I have only ever done advisory work.

I absolutely love Taylor Swift's music and I would say that is my biggest interest! I also love sport, travelling, my psychology degree, and socialising. 

Joining the Youth Council will enable me to further advocate for the needs of autistic young people, with the hope of making positive and lasting change. I am really excited to connect with like-minded autistic young people in a supportive and neuro-affirming environment.

On a personal level, I am really looking forward to connecting with like-minded autistic young people and I hope that my time on the Youth Council will help me to develop my teamwork and critical thinking skills.

On a wider level, I hope to raise the issue of the lack of post-diagnostic support for autistic individuals and their families.

Dogs are my main interest! I have grown up around dogs and cannot resist a doggy cuddle!

I also like Harry Potter, Marvel and musical theatre. 
 

I joined the Youth Council because of the challenges with loneliness I faced and the sense of fulfilment I gained from advocating for inclusion for people with autism, stemming from my own lived experiences. My involvement was driven by a desire to use my insights and understanding to make a real impact, particularly in promoting inclusive practices and ensuring that the perspectives of autistic young people are not only heard but also integrated into decision-making processes. I aspire to contribute effectively to the development of initiatives that significantly enhance the inclusivity and support provided to autistic people across the UK, fostering an environment where their potential can be fully realised, and people understand autism and the different types of autistic experience.  

My passions are natural hazards, reading and advocating for people with autism and disabilities, where I am particularly interested in the coexistence of autism with other disabilities.

I joined the Youth Council because after joining the Youth Network in 2022 I quickly became extremely involved in the opportunities and decided this would like to be something I do more of, and being a part of the Youth Council seemed like the perfect chance for this!  

I hope that being part of the Youth Council will not only increase my confidence when it comes to the work I do but also give me the chance to meet people with a similar passion and help gain new experiences which will help me for later in life.

Outside of my work from Ambitious About Autism I love geography, 60s music, and geocaching! 

I decided to join the Youth Council as I wanted to connect with other autistic young people and engage in my interest of autism advocacy.

As part of the Youth Council, I would like to further my leadership skills, become more confident within different social settings and to gain an understanding of how to advocate improvement for services for autistic people.

I have a range of interests: in drama, musical theatre, horror, queer fashion and historical fashion. 

Growing up with autism comes with its own set of challenges! Hence I'm a big fan of Ambitious about Autism's core message, and especially grateful for the positive mindset I'm learning via the Youth Network.  

I'm motivated to help reduce obstacles in further education and employment for autistic young people, which has lasting effects into adulthood.  

One goal I have for Ambitious is to increase reach to demographics underrepresented in autism discourse. I’ve been lucky to live a diverse life in many respects - my aim as a Youth Councillor is to help the charity share their work with as many people as possible.

During a break I take care of my reptiles, play the piano and practise the languages I speak. But not all at the same time.

I've been known as a (now retired!) student physicist. Since then, I'm continuing into AI research and policy for building a safer Internet.