We believe
We believe in a future
where young people aren’t defined by their past, but by their potential
We believe in a future
where every young person has the opportunity to thrive
We believe in a future
where, with the right help and support, everyone can Rise
About Us
Our charity is powered by people. People that are bold, experienced and driven by a desire for a better future. Coming from a diverse set of backgrounds, each of us brings a unique range of skills to the table. Together with the wider community, we cover the different bases needed to help create lasting change
Meet the team
Matt
Matt’s always been one to go against the grain and he rebelled against the education system when he was young.
His childhood was one of adversity and difficulties but his family taught him the value of hard work. Despite some years of serious challenges with mental health and addiction, Matt can look back now and sees clearly that it was through the support of others that he could rise above his circumstances and come back stronger.
He co-founded Rise because he never wants anyone to experience the level of desperation he felt when he was at rock bottom. He wants all young people to know that no matter their circumstances, their life has got worth and they can find purpose and independence again.
When Matt’s not working with young people, he can be found at Rebelleon, encouraging the corporate world to rebel against the status quo by helping them make a difference for nature, carbon, equality and money.
Chanelle
Chanelle is a details person who keeps us all on track. Having worked in administrative support for the last 10 years, she’s Rise’s company secretary and one of our trustees.
She loves her role in the Rise team, not only because she’s able to put her organisational skills to good use, but because she gets first-hand experience of seeing the change in Rise students’ lives. It’s good for the soul to get to know young people who are determined and motivated to grow and develop life-long skills.
Chanelle loves travelling – especially the spontaneous variety. When she’s not working, she’ll most likely be somewhere in Europe or, if she has to be a little closer to home, walking and socialising with friends.
Emma
Emma went through a rebellious phase in her teenage years and, looking back, feels like she could have done with a mentor growing up.
She fell into a career as a hairdresser which gave her the opportunity to train up younger students. Discovering her love of watching people grow, she wondered what else she could do to help young people. So she became a teaching assistant, and then, a mentor.
Emma works as a Rise student mentor offering one-to-one support. She helps students understand themselves better, grow in confidence and explore what they’d like to do with their lives. With her support, students then do a work placement in a real workplace. She finds her job refreshing because the Rise students have such an enthusiasm for life.
In her spare time, Emma spends a lot of time with her church family (usually food is involved). It’s somewhere she finds support from her mentors too.
Sarah
Sarah’s been working with young people for over 15 years. Her educational background showed her the power of interventions and highlighted the lack of student-centred support and opportunity for young people who deserve it the most.
Sarah passionately believes that young people have it within themselves to fulfil their potential; they just need the right kind of support and opportunities to make it happen.
This is where the idea of Rise began.
Sarah feels lucky to be able to work with such amazing young people; watching them grasp opportunities with both hands, grow in self-belief and be willing to make a change. She loves how Rise students are constantly challenging people’s perspectives and proving critics wrong by achieving great things.
When she’s not working, Sarah spends time by the beach with family and is currently learning to surf to keep up with her kids.
Paul
Paul has had a long and varied career in operations. Starting out life as an apprentice with the Post Office, he worked his way up through various roles at Johnson Controls, Barclays and JP Morgan, to become the Managing Director of Operations at Yondr.
His route into the upper echelons of the business world was not typical. After struggling to engage academically at school, he found his true calling when a mentor saw his worth and encouraged him to apply for an apprenticeship with the Post Office.
This journey gave Paul a unique perspective and triggered a lifelong passion for helping others reach their full potential. As a trustee, Paul calls on his experiences to help craft Rise’s vision and provide excellent support for the charity’s young people.
When he’s not working, Paul is a family man and a passionate sports fan. Although he’s had to hang up his boots, he enjoys keeping up with the rugby and keeps fit by hitting the heavy bag and playing golf.
Maryanne
Maryanne has worked with young people for a few years now. She has channelled across the globe from Europe, America and Asia, helping and teaching young people to fulfil their utmost potential.
From a young age and her perspective, growing up in London there just was not enough support for young people, which made her start a career which involved being a teacher, youth worker, behaviour specialist and mentor.
She firmly believes that every young person deserves support and guidance to achieve great things, so she joined Rise Future as a Rise student mentor. Maryanne views coming to work as a blessing as she can give placement opportunities to young people, watch them grow, gain knowledge and have a safe place to confide in.
When she’s not working, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching cooking shows and volunteering at local food banks.
Shamar
Shamar has worked with young people and views working with young people as a great privilege to engage and serve them through mentoring and sports coaching. Shamar has worked in schools as a sports coach and delivered P.E lessons and afterschool clubs . He has also worked to mentor young people 1:1 during difficult periods of their lives.
Shamar is passionate about seeing young people thrive and develop on their Journeys.
Shamars passions include football , food , anime , and my deep rooted faith in God.
“I'm super excited to grow with Rise and see more young people flourish”