Meet the team

FOUNDER & DIRECTOR

Ben is the director of Get Real Youth Services (GRYS) which he officially started in October 2020.

Born and raised in Hackney, his childhood came with the same social, demographic and economic challenges that a lot of the youth face today. He was a product of his own broken environment stemming from the home, school and local community. Ben got involved in a life of crime, eventually ending him up in prison. Ben knew that something had to change and thankfully turned his life around.

GRYS was birthed off the back of a real burden to see change in the youth of today, and for several years Ben dedicated time and resources to seeing this change, focusing on what he could give back to the youth. Through mentoring for young people and support for their families, he has successfully guided young people caught up in the criminal justice system and at-risk youth to refocus and make positive changes.

Ben’s passion lies in encouraging young people with the tools needed to make long lasting positive changes that impacts their lives & environment.

DIRECTOR & SENIOR MENTOR

Akeem was born and raised in and around Woolwich, Southeast London. His upbringing and environment led him to being influenced and exposed to criminal activities and gang culture from a young age. Akeem came to a realisation that things had to change, using his time in prison to do exactly that. Whilst separated from his usual surroundings, the transformation took place.

Upon his release, he became a support worker for young adults with learning difficulties, looking after one young man (in particular) for a couple of years. Supporting the young man with his daily needs, Akeem was already displaying the love and care necessary, to have a positive impact on the youth. Fast forward today - He leads as a senior mentor at GRYS. His genuine and honest approach to mentoring his young people has encouraged positive changes in the lives of many.

Akeem hopes to continue “pouring into the young people” he works with, passing on his knowledge and experience, encouraging and empowering them, so that they can move forward progressively.

SENIOR MENTOR & WORKSHOP LEAD

From past experiences Pal is very much aware of what neglect and trauma can do to young people growing up. Pal in his earlier years experienced neglect and a lack of guidance, which led to a life of crime. By the age of 20, Pal had already been kidnapped, stabbed, shot at and arrested numerous times. Whilst living this lifestyle he learnt that some people don’t have your best interests at heart, but the few that did and took time to encourage and support made a big impact.

Pals transformation came by the realisation and revelation on how loved he actually was. Through this realisation, he had turned away from a life of crime to pursue helping others. Pal is a talented footballer and had a prospective career as a goalkeeper. He signed a professional contract in football, but that career was short-lived due to health issues. Since then he has embarked on a journey of helping young people not make the same mistakes he did by showing them the same love he received, sharing his testimony in prisons, schools, and mentoring young people supporting them in leaving the lifestyle he once lived.

His passion for working with young people is derived from him not wanting to see them make the same mistakes he once did. He is passionate about guiding young people into being the who they are called to be.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & COUNSELLOR

Over the years through mentoring, coaching and public speaking Nneka has championed young people on their journey of life. Being a youth advocate and a strong believer in co-production she has assisted in designing and developing programmes, workshops and resources that aim to empower, develop and create change in their world.

A key area she has focused on is the increasing epidemic of mental health issues amongst children and young people. Working with schools staff/ leadership teams and other services she has facilitated workshops and training sessions to highlight the importance of mental health and the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACE) especially in the BAME community.

Nneka describes working in GRYS as both exciting and rewarding. She recalls the guidance and help she received from her mentors along the way that aided in transforming her behaviour, attitude and mind-set and pushing her on the right path and hopes to do the same for the next generation.

SPORTS COACH & MENTOR

Marvin has many years of experience working with children and young people, through coaching, mentoring and support work. He is an enthusiastic sports coach and uses sports as a tool to support and guide children and young people who are experiencing difficulties in learning due to social, emotional, or behavioural problems.

Marvin’s passion for sport has followed him through his career path as Marvin holds a degree in BSc Sports & Exercise Science and Coaching award (Sport and Physical Activity). With his experience Marvin supports the young people who are at GRYS, with his coaching skills. Merging mentoring and sports, his sessions help our mentees to develop their social skills, discipline and develop new skills through a less structured, safer and informal space where they can learn life lessons.

GRYS has helped Marvin to build and create new relationships and make a positive impact on young peoples lives. Marvin hopes to carry on helping to change our mentees lives and providing sessions that would help achieve this goal.

WORKSHOP FACILITATOR & MENTOR

Since the age of 18, Deborah has been working with young people in her community. Her passion and zeal to equip the next generation led her into supporting young people in schools. She joined GRYS as a mentor, as past experiences revealed to her what it is like to be a young person in need of guidance- and having the feeling that no one genuinely cared.

Deborah was faced with many challenges in her childhood. She spent most of it moving homes whilst her parents went through a nasty divorce and custody battle. The difficulties that came with this experience, forced Deborah to grow up fast.

Working with ‘Get Real’ allows her to a be present help for struggling young people, keeping it real with them at all times - “Whether they want to discuss academics, social life or general mental health and wellbeing, I’m here to provide a safe space to listen, give advice and hopefully make a positive impact on a young person’s life”

DIGITAL DESIGN & CONTENT CREATOR

Introducing Alex, a 17-year-old hailing from Newham in East London. At the age of 14, he found himself in a tough spot due to associations with the wrong crowd, which in turn led to his arrest. Despite possessing a strong creative flair, Alex couldn't fully explore his talents until he was referred to our mentoring services and had a profound realisation , that he yearned for a better life.

Amidst the initial challenges, Alex's narrative stands as a testament to resilience and determination against the dynamic backdrop of East London. His story is not just one of personal growth but also an illustration of the potential for positive transformation in the face of adversity.

Motivated for positive change, Alex committed to turning his life around, pursuing graphics, while also prioritising his education. Now having established his own business in Web Development and Digital design - Zedits Creative Studios, partners with Get Real Youth Services to inspire his peers to make the most out of life the right way.

GANGS/KNIFE CRIME SPECIALIST & MENTOR

From past experiences Caleb is aware of gang culture and the impact it has on the life of a young person. In his early childhood Caleb experienced neglect and lack of guidance, finding himself fully submerged in gang activity, county lines and knife crime. By the age of 18 he had experienced being stabbed, arrested on numerous occasions and eventually spent time in prison.

Caleb’s transformation and realisation of the effects of his lifestyle, came after receiving counselling and mentorship. Through this process he discovered how “effective and empowering it was receiving mentorship”, which aroused a passion to do the same for others. Having moved from London to Birmingham, Caleb sought to pursue this passion and equip himself to be able to support those who may have found themselves in the cycle he was once in. Committed to doing this he studied social work, developing skills and the expertise needed to fulfill his ambitions of becoming a mentor to the younger generation.

Working with GRYS has enabled Caleb to utilize his dynamic and thought-provoking approach to mentor our young people, especially those who have found themselves affiliated and/or submerged in gang culture.