ben kahn

  • I oversee the strategic direction of Spiral Skills, leading and managing our programmes, partnerships and team to ensure we deliver high-quality, safe and impactful work for young people across London. Alongside this, I work closely with schools, employers and community partners, secure funding to grow our reach and long-term impact, and act as Co-Designated Safeguarding Lead for Spiral Skills.

    My journey into youth work began through football coaching in my local community, followed by roles in education and outreach. As a South Londoner, supporting young people most at risk of exclusion to realise their potential is a core driver of my work. Outside of Spiral Skills, football plays a big role in my life and I’m a lifelong Arsenal fan.

CEO, C0-Founder

EMMA ALLEN

Chief Marketing & Operations Manager, Co-Founder

ANDREA SAINT - AIMé

Programmes Manager

  • I plan, manage and deliver school-based programmes, working closely with schools, businesses and partners to create meaningful work experience opportunities for young people. I support and manage delivery staff across mentoring and our Engage programme, ensuring sessions are well-organised, high-quality and impactful.

    I’ve worked with children, young people and families for nearly 30 years across local authorities, schools and the third sector. Creativity, proactivity and autonomy guide my work, and I enjoy bringing together the small details that lead to successful outcomes. Outside of work, I’m developing a parenting podcast and love making and wearing crystal jewellery.

AURORA ARISTA

  • My role focuses on leading people strategy and overseeing HR and operations to support a healthy, inclusive and values-led organisation. This includes recruitment and onboarding, supporting managers, developing learning and wellbeing initiatives, and ensuring policies and processes enable teams to do their best work.

    My journey into youth and charity work began as a peer mentor in my teens, followed by creative and community-based work with young people across South London. A strong belief that people thrive when they feel valued, protected and supported underpins my approach. Outside of work, I enjoy travelling, exploring different cultures, practising yoga and meditation, and listening to podcasts on theology.


Head of People and Operations, Safeguarding Co-Lead

LUIS DEMBINA

Programmes and Mentoring Co-Ordinator

  • Working across Spiral Skills, I design and deliver youth programmes, support and supervise staff, and build strong partnerships with schools to create positive opportunities for young people. A big part of my role is making sure mentoring and programme delivery feel supportive, engaging and meaningful.

    With six years’ experience across schools, PRUs and community settings, my journey started in frontline youth work before moving into programme design and coordination. Supporting young people to grow in confidence, step into leadership and work towards their aspirations is what drives me. Outside of work, I’m writing a series of children’s books inspired by my experiences working with young people.

DR. ANTOINE ROGERS

Head Of Programmes

ryan lecky

Changemaker Manager & Employer Partnerships Lead

  • Working across programmes, I adapt learning materials, deliver in-school workshops, arrange work experience and provide one-to-one mentoring to support young people into the right opportunities. A key focus of my role is matching young people with pathways that reflect their strengths, interests and ambitions.

    My background is in project management, logistics and business strategy, and I moved into youth work driven by a desire to challenge systems that limit opportunity for under-represented young people. Authenticity, inclusion and empowerment sit at the heart of my work, and seeing young people grow, whether during programmes or through feedback from parents and teachers is what makes it meaningful. Outside of Spiral Skills, I work on creative and training projects as well as running a streetwear brand celebrating African and Afro-Caribbean culture.

luna

Senior Youth Development Manager

  • I work closely with referral partners and young people to support their employment journeys and future pathways. I lead one-to-one sessions, coordinate referrals, and provide tailored guidance to help young people overcome barriers and access opportunities. I also support reporting for funders and contribute to the wider Youth Development Programmes team.

    My background is in mental health recovery work, where I saw first-hand the challenges many young people face. I’m passionate about listening, empathy, and creating safe, supportive spaces where young people feel heard, valued, and empowered to shape their futures. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time in nature, gardening, and creating my own herbal tea blends.

taylor mcdonald

Marketing Manager

  • My role focuses on setting and delivering short-, medium- and long-term marketing strategy for Spiral Skills, overseeing communications across social media, email and the website. Campaigns for programmes, recruitment and events are planned and managed to ensure messaging is consistent, values-led and impact-driven.

    With a background in strategic marketing and communications, this work is rooted in storytelling, empowerment and inclusion. The most meaningful part of the role is amplifying the impact Spiral Skills has in the community and helping remove barriers that prevent young people from accessing opportunities. Outside of Spiral Skills, I’m the founder of Together We Succeed, an access-led platform focused on visibility and early-career opportunity as well as being an avid reader with a very full bookshelf.

Nathania harrison

Social Media Officer

  • At Spiral Skills, I capture and edit content that brings our programmes, people and impact to life across social media. A big part of the role is telling real stories through creative, engaging content while supporting the organisation’s wider marketing.

    With a background in social media and marketing for charities, storytelling and creativity sit at the heart of my work. Being able to witness the incredible work of the delivery team and share it with wider audiences is one of the most rewarding parts of the role. Outside of Spiral Skills, I work as a freelance content creator for small businesses, and I’m starting a wedding content creator business for weddings and events.

abdoul ndambi

  • My role focuses on leading outreach work, building trusted relationships and creating programmes that young people genuinely want to be part of. Years spent listening to and learning from the community have shaped a strong belief in a village approach, where everyone works together to support young people to thrive.

    Running programmes that young people don’t want to miss, and seeing the positive change this has brought to both young people and Brixton town centre, is what makes the work so rewarding. Alongside Spiral Skills, I run my own youth organisation supporting young people through key transitions and wellbeing.

    Outside of work, creativity plays a big role in my life through writing music, singing and storytelling.

Trusted Youth Community & Safety Practitioner

tafari clarke

Community Engagement & Programmes Officer

louise winnall

Lead Youth Practitioner & Mentor

  • I oversee the strategic direction of Spiral Skills, leading and managing our programmes, partnerships and team to ensure we deliver high-quality, safe and impactful work for young people across London. Alongside this, I work closely with schools, employers and community partners, secure funding to grow our reach and long-term impact, and act as Co-Designated Safeguarding Lead for Spiral Skills.

    My journey into youth work began through football coaching in my local community, followed by roles in education and outreach. As a South Londoner, supporting young people most at risk of exclusion to realise their potential is a core driver of my work. Outside of Spiral Skills, football plays a big role in my life and I’m a lifelong Arsenal fan.

  • I support Spiral Skills’ programmes across Schools, Post-16 and Changemakers, working closely with Programme Managers and delivery teams to ensure our work is safe, consistent and high quality. My role focuses on strengthening ways of working and aligning quality, safeguarding and learning across programmes, so that staff are well supported and young people have a positive, joined-up experience.

    My journey into youth work began as a foster child on the South Side of Chicago, shaping my commitment to care, justice and opportunity. I trained as a social worker and later completed a PhD in Social Welfare. Over the past 20 years, I’ve worked across universities, charities and community-based organisations in London, supporting young people facing exclusion and structural inequality.

    Outside of work, I’m a long-standing member of the Brixton Housing Cooperative and an active member of Friends of Ruskin Park, reflecting my belief in shared responsibility and community care.