MEET THE TEAM

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MEET THE TEAM

Derek Akosah

Founder & C.E.O

Derek Akosah

Derek Akosah, the founder and director of BHAO who is a representation and product of the community where he resided (Newham), he spent some time in the care system at aged, 8 and the outlook for his future was not positive. Like many children and young people, Derek struggled with education and was consistently told by teacher’s that he would not amount to much. Not to use this as an excuse, however, the impact of the lack of positive role models, poverty and being excluded from mainstream education he found himself entangled in a life of criminal activity. Derek admits that he had very little or no care for his safety or the destruction he caused others which ultimately results in him receiving a prison sentence for conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs,

Derek has a passion for sports and music which led him to be on one of the biggest drum and base radio stations in Europe. He decided to use this platform to set up a record label company called TIAMAT, one of the first record labels to be set up by a Master of Ceremony (MC). After release from prison,Derek believed his goal was to give back to the community, especially children and young people at risk of offending or already in the criminal justice system.

Eythan

Intervention Lead & Director

Eythan

Eythan comes from a Caribbean background and grew up in inner city east london. Growing up Eythan was not engaged in school and spent time in pupil referral units and was known to the police for criminal behaviours from a young age.

Eythan has a plethora of experience working with young people and a 1st class degree in education studies. Currently managing several homes for Looked after children his daily life is dedicated to the betterment of young people’s lives. He is engaged as a speaker and advocate in several forums aimed at providing opportunities for Young people within London’s inner city communities. In his spare time he is an active DJ and music is a common denominator shared with the many young people he works with.

Franchesca Pinamang

Counsellor & Facilitator

Franchesca Pinamang

Franchesca is a a qualified counsellor and facilitator of the healing table.

Franchesca has been in the administration sector for over 15 years she uses her knowledge and experience to support small businesses She is a local community champion, she hosts and supports small businesses ,she host local pop up markets annually.

Franchesca has been in the therapy industry for over 10 years , she has worked for local community schools, supporting children with emotional and mental health needs .

She also facilitates a mens group, this is a group that gives men a safe space to share their thoughts and day to day experiences that may lead to a negative impact on their future.

Franchesca has a passion for supporting others with their negative experiences past and present. Franchesca is always on hand to help and support .

Shenell Brown

Business manager & safeguarding lead

Shenell Brown

Shenell Brown, Business and safeguarding Manager at BHAO, I am a qualified Social Worker (BSc) with over 9 years of extensive experience working with and supporting children, young people and their families. The focus of my work has primarily been with children and young people who are vulnerable or have experienced child sexual and criminal exploitation. In addition to my professional experience and knowledge, I was born and raised in Hackney and therefore, I have observed first-hand the current issues impacting children and young people within the community.

This is having a detrimental effect on their physical and mental health; due to the significant trauma they are experiencing. I believe in children and young people having a voice which is the main ethos at Be Heard As One where we believe in community, unity, being heard and having a platform which is important for our children and young people.

Addo Boateng

Head HR Operations / Diversity,Inclusion & Training

Addo Boateng

With over a decade of experience in Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) and Learning & Development, Addo brings a wealth of expertise to BHAO. An alumnus of the University of Cambridge’s D&I Executive Program, he also holds a BA (Hons) in Business Administration from the University of Kent, a Postgraduate Certificate in Employment Law from the University of Leicester, and certifications as a Chartered Human Resources Manager (CHRM) and Chartered Compliance Analyst (CCA). Addo’s advanced skills in project management are supported by a Six Sigma Green Belt, enabling him to drive continuous improvement and effective resource allocation within complex organizational settings.

At BHAO, Addo’s focus will be on fostering an inclusive, empowering environment through trauma-informed practices that resonate with the community’s lived experiences. With experience leading global D&I initiatives at organizations like HSBC and Bain & Company, he specializes in developing impactful training programs on Unconscious Bias, Inclusive Leadership, and Intersectionality. Addo’s strategic, data-driven approach has consistently enhanced employee engagement and satisfaction. His commitment to building nurturing environments aligns with BHAO’s mission, enabling young people to recognize their strengths, embrace positive choices, and achieve their fullest potential

Jeffrey Charles

Mentor

Jeffrey Charles

Jeffrey Charles grew up in East London, the youngest of 5 children. He came from a working-class family and his parents worked hard to provide. Jeffrey struggled in school and his teachers never took the time or care to identify that he was dyslexic. As a result, Jeffrey had to work much harder and through sheer frustration would often be misunderstood, often suffering in silence.

Jeffrey went on to study Electrical Engineering at college as although he struggled in primary/ secondary school he persevered and was determined to succeed academically. Whilst he was an apprentice electrician and also working part time to support himself, he suffered a serious ACL knee injury which meant he had to stop working. After his recovery, Jeffrey became a father and with a young family to support his determination arose once more and he embarked upon alternative career choices. Namely these were in a forensic mental health unit as an Activities Coordinator, a fitness instructor and as a Security doorman in nightclubs. Working in nightclubs opened a door into becoming involved in criminal activity which took Jeffrey down the wrong path. As a result, he ended up with a custodial sentence, serving four & a half years in prison.

Now a father of 4, Jeffrey has rebuilt his life. He works as an Electrical Engineer for a fast growing company and is also a keen photographer. Jeffrey has learnt many life lessons over the years and has a passion and determination to support the youth as he would have liked to have been himself as a child/ teenager. Jeffrey has been influential in supporting foster children/ young people with his partner being a consistently positive, supportive and encouraging role model in both theirs and his children’s lives. Jeffrey believes that with the right guidance you can support others to open their eyes to alternative ways of navigating life in a positive way ultimately leading to peace, happiness, fulfilment and success.

Carlton Cole

Ambassador

Carlton Cole

Carlton Cole is a retired English professional footballer who played as a striker. He was born on October 12, 1983, in Croydon, England, and began his career with Chelsea as youth in 1998 whilst growing up on the Green Dragon Estate in Brentford. Cole made his senior debut for Chelsea in 2002 and went on to play for a number of clubs, including Wolverhampton Wanderers, Charlton Athletic, Aston Villa, West Ham United, Celtic, Persib Bandung and Sacramento Republic FC.

He is best known for his time at West Ham United, where he played between 2006 and 2015. During his time at the club, he helped them win promotion back to the Premier League in 2012 and played a key role in their successful survival campaign the following season. In total, he scored 68 goals in 293 appearances for the Hammers.

Cole also represented the England national team at various levels, including the senior team, for which he earned seven caps between 2009 and 2010.

After retiring from professional football, Cole has worked as a pundit for various media outlets, including BT Sports, Sky Sports , Talksport and BBC Sport. He has also been involved in various charitable and community initiatives.

He is now an A Licensed football coach and is assisting the next generation of football talent to realise their potential at West Ham United Academy where he is also the The football Clubs Ambassador.

Dean Pettigrew

Events Organiser and Fund Raiser

Dean Pettigrew

Dean Pettigrew is a Level 6 Building Surveyor, with a passion to help young people to achieve their dreams. Coming from a single parent home, and failing all his GCSEs, Dean was able to turn his life around and go onto retake and pass his GCSEs, pass his A levels, gain a degree, and achieve a Masters in Building Surveying.

Dean was privilege to have a mentor who happen to be a Building Surveying manager. He was encouraged to ignore the pull of the streets and focus on a career, of which has allowed him to be apart of projects such as the Olympic Village, The Emirates stadium, The New Lee Valley Ice Rink, many different schools, Hospitals, and High Rise Complex buildings.

Dean is also an events organiser, being involved with many different festivals and club nights.

After successfully over coming a difficult and challenging environment and bad choices at a young age, Dean now feels it is time to give back and encourage others to the same.

Wafa Saciid

Emotional Literacy Mentor | Life Coach | Youth Worker | Trainee Counsellor

Wafa Saciid

I know what it’s like to carry heavy things in silence. That’s why I do this work, to make sure no one has to do it alone.

Having moved around a lot growing up, Wafa truly understands what it feels like to carry those heavy, silent burdens, feeling like the outsider, unsure where she belongs, or who really sees her. This experience fuels her passion and purpose: to create spaces where young people not only feel seen and safe but learn to stand in their own truth and share their story in their own way.

Wafa shows up with honesty, humour, and heart. She’s not here to tick boxes. She’s here to spark real change, ask the deeper questions, and make sure no young person is left behind.

She works directly with young people across schools and community spaces, helping them navigate emotions, build self-worth, and reconnect with their voice. With a background in life coaching, youth work, and emotional literacy mentoring, Wafa is now training as a counsellor to deepen the support she offers.

She founded You Matter Youth CIC to bridge the growing gap between overstretched services and the real, everyday needs of young people. Her organisation offers mentoring, therapy, and ongoing support rooted in authenticity, cultural sensitivity, and care that doesn’t end at a referral form. It’s about doing the work that matters, not what looks good on paper.

Whether she’s mentoring one-to-one, running workshops, or just having real conversations, Wafa brings warmth, energy, and a touch of sparkle to every space she enters. She’s known for her ability to connect, uplift, and help others feel safe to be real.

To everyone visiting this page , whether you’re a young person searching for a place to belong, a parent hoping for support, or someone who just wants to feel understood,Wafa believes your story matters and you deserve to be heard.

You are not too much. You were just never in the right room. Until now.

Jermaine Alfred

Volunteer Youth Mentor

Jermaine Alfred

Jermaine Alfred is a dedicated volunteer youth mentor at BHAO, providing guidance, encouragement and practical support to young people, their families and wider support networks as they navigate behavioural and personal challenges. His passion for mentoring is deeply rooted in his own lived experiences.

Growing up across several countries, Jermaine faced the disruptions of constant relocation, which prevented him from completing his education at a younger age. Now, as an adult student at university, he is committed not only to finishing his studies but also to using his journey to inspire young people facing similar obstacles.

From the age of 16, Jermaine lived independently, learning to navigate life’s complexities through resilience and self-determination. This experience has shaped his empathetic, down-to-earth approach to mentoring and his ability to connect with young people from diverse backgrounds.

Jermaine has previously worked with ex-offenders, supporting their reintegration into education and employment. He continues to contribute to rehabilitation work by assisting individuals dealing with addiction, including providing support within the prison system.

Outside of his mentoring role, Jermaine is an enthusiastic sports and fitness fan. He supports West Ham United and is an avid badminton player. He also enjoys roller skating, basketball and follows Formula 1 racing closely.

Ola

Youth worker and mentor

Ola

Ola aka Buzzin producer is a music producer and audio Engineer, with over 15 years of experience producing, mixing, and managing studios for artists across the UK, Africa, and beyond.

His career spans roles as an Executive Producer, Studio Manager, and Creative Director, also now mentorship where he combined hie music expertise with business personal development and leadership.

He really enjoys building connections between creativity and business as well as helping artists, young people and organisations to use music and tech to tell stories, reach audiences, and most of all express there selves

Kyle Young

Mentor

Kyle Young

Background: I have been working in mentoring for 4 years (Just after the 2nd lockdown) I had spent some time away in jail prior to beginning this journey where I had done over 4 years.

Since I had come out I’ve used my experience to help advise and guide individuals on the decision-making and awareness necessary to keep themselves from experiencing what I have. I like to keep myself as active as possible either through forms of exercise (At the gym) or football and I enjoy learning new things especially skills or knowledge that are beneficial both short and long term.