Join Our Community Ambassador Programme
Bring your voice. Help shape what comes next.
Change happens when the people closest to the issues have a real say in shaping the future.
Our Community Ambassador Programme brings together people with lived experience, ideas, connections and a commitment to making a difference. Together, our Ambassadors help us listen better, build stronger relationships and make sure community voices help shape the work we do.
They are connectors, advocates and changemakers — bringing their own experiences, perspectives and passions to conversations about the future of East London and beyond.
Because fairer futures aren’t created for communities. They are created with them.
Meet our Ambassadors
Our Community Ambassador Programme is shaped by the people at its heart.
Led by singer and award-winning social entrepreneur Tiwa King, our growing network brings together people with different experiences, expertise and connections, united by a shared commitment to creating positive change.
Our Ambassadors include:
- Jazal Babar — a young leader working across ESG, sustainability and philanthropy.
- Katie Balcombe — a communications professional shaping culture and placemaking.
- Zak Addae-Kodua — founder of Xconversation CIC, a lived-experience storytelling platform working across schools, prisons and East London communities.
- Anne-Marie Clive, Strategy Lead — a senior strategy, communications and partnerships leader with nearly two decades of experience across the charity, public and international development sectors.
- Kianu Glasgow, Youth Engagement Lead — a creative consultant specialising in programme design, career coaching and facilitation, and co-founder of Dipped In Creative Engagement (DICE CIC).
- Piarvé Wetshi, Sustainability Lead — co-founder of creative agency and collective Colèchi and deadstock textile marketplace Last Yarn.
Each brings something different. Together, they help us stay connected to the people, places and conversations shaping our communities.
What does a Community Ambassador do?
Every Ambassador brings something different to the programme. Your role will be shaped around your strengths, interests and experience.
You might:
- Share your perspective and lived experience to help shape our work
- Connect us with people, organisations and communities
- Take part in conversations, events and creative opportunities
- Help tell the stories behind community-led change
- Represent community perspectives in spaces where decisions are being made
- Champion opportunities that could benefit local people and organisations
- Build relationships between communities, partners and funders
- Support campaigns or fundraising that help grow investment in communities
This isn’t about speaking for everyone. It’s about bringing your own perspective, making space for others and helping create stronger connections.
What we commit to
We believe relationships should go both ways.
This programme is built with our Ambassadors, not simply around them. We want you to have a meaningful role in shaping how it grows.
As part of the programme, we will:
- Value your time, insight and experience
- Pay you fairly for agreed work and opportunities
- Cover reasonable expenses
- Create opportunities for learning, development and connection
- Introduce you to new people, organisations and networks
- Support you to build confidence and develop your skills
- Make opportunities as accessible and flexible as possible
- Create space for honest conversations, ideas and challenge
Most importantly, we’ll listen.
We see our Ambassadors as partners in our work — people who can help us see things differently, ask better questions and stay connected to what matters.
What you can gain
Being a Community Ambassador is an opportunity to grow your network, develop new skills and take your ideas into new spaces.
You may have opportunities to:
- Develop your confidence and leadership
- Meet people working across communities, culture, business and philanthropy
- Access training and professional development
- Share your work and ideas with wider audiences
- Hear about relevant funding and paid opportunities
- Build new connections and collaborations
- Take part in events, conversations and projects
- Help shape work that affects the communities you care about
But we also hope you’ll bring something we can’t.
Your perspective.
Your questions.
Your ideas about what could be different.
Time commitment
We know that life is busy, so the programme is designed to be flexible.
We ask for around 3–5 hours per month, depending on your availability and the opportunities you’d like to take part in.
Fees and expenses
Your time and expertise have value.
Ambassadors are paid for agreed work, with fees reflecting the nature of the opportunity, level of involvement and your experience. We also cover agreed expenses.
From time to time, additional professional opportunities may also be available.
Join us
We’re looking for people who care about their communities and want to help shape what comes next.
You don’t need to have a particular job title, qualification or background. We welcome people of different ages, experiences and perspectives.
If you’re interested in becoming a Community Ambassador, we’d love to hear from you.
To arrange an initial conversation or ask questions, contact:
📩 Sarah Nelson, CEO — sarahnelson@future.london
To apply, send us your CV and a short cover letter telling us:
- Why you’d like to become a Community Ambassador
- What experiences, ideas or perspectives you’d bring
- What the places and communities you care about mean to you
Photo credit: Chris Baker
Video Interviews
Watch now: Tiwa King in conversation with East London artist Official Remz
Film: Chris Baker
Watch now: Jazal Babar in conversation with Tiwa King
Film: Chris Baker
Watch now: Zak Addae–Kodua in conversation with Tiwa King
Film: Chris Baker
Our Ambassadors
Tiwa King (Lead)
Tiwa King is an internationally known singer, wellbeing consultant, two-time TEDx speaker, host, BBC radio contributor, author, award-winning social entrepreneur and Founder and CEO of Beyond a Song CIC. This year, Tiwa was selected to be a UN Women delegate 2024 and 2025 and won the prestigious 2025 WISE100 (Women Leading in Social Enterprise) Rising Star Award by NatWest and Pioneers Post.
Beyond a Song is a unique social enterprise on a mission to empower and build confidence and self-love; ensuring individuals’ wellbeing is at the core of everything they do – through the power of song. Dedicated to empowering women, mothers of neurodiverse children, and children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Tiwa is proud to have collaborated with renowned organisations such as CNN, Apple, Sky, Ministry of Justice, Social Ark, the BBC, KPMG, NHS, Westfield and numerous incredible grassroots organisations and schools.
Jazal Babar
Jazal Babar is a young leader in the ESG space, working between sustainability and philanthropy. He joined The Conduit, where he is currently a Global Impact and Sustainability Lead, directly from Cambridge University, where he was active in student organising and community engagement.
Jazal has been central to advancing sustainable initiatives in his organisation and advising the Belron Ronnie Lubner Charitable Foundation as they awarded over €4m of grants to organisations supporting refugees globally.
Photo credit: Edward Howell Photography
Katie Balcombe (Communications Lead)
Katie Balcombe is an accomplished communications leader with 14 years of experience delivering impactful campaigns across culture, the built environment and placemaking. Her career spans both the public and private sectors, driving engagement on transformational projects like Stockport MDC’s £1bn town centre regeneration and Quintain’s redevelopment of Wembley Park.
Katie has also played a pivotal role in promoting cultural destinations, including the Culture Mile and BOXPARK’s newest venture, BOXHALL City.
Previously, Katie worked at the Museum of London, leading award-winning initiatives, such as the widely acclaimed Fatberg! exhibition.
Her passion for storytelling and strategic vision continue to help shape vibrant communities and dynamic urban spaces across the UK.
Zak Addae–Kodua
Zak Addae–Kodua is the founder of Xconversation CIC, a podcast platform that conducts lived experience interviews and runs programmes and workshops in schools, prisons and the community. The organisation supports young people at risk of entering the criminal justice system, as well as those transitioning out of custody.
Zak co-hosts the award-winning ‘Life After Prison’ podcast, where he shares his personal journey and interviews inspirational guests about their stories and experiences.
Awards & Recognition
- Gold Award for Best New Presenter in the UK at The Radio Academy Awards 2023
- Best Ensemble Cast winner at The Audio Production Award 2024
- The Black Talent Award winner for contributions to the Charitable and Social Change Sector 2024
Media Appearances
Zak has been featured on Times Radio, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 1Xtra, The Guardian, The Observer and The Times Newspaper publications.
Anne-Marie Clive (Strategy Lead)
Anne-Marie Clive is a senior strategy, communications and partnerships leader with nearly two decades of experience across the charity, public and international development sectors. She currently leads a multidisciplinary portfolio spanning strategic comms, impact, reputation, policy, public affairs and partnerships at St John Ambulance.
Anne-Marie has extensive experience working with boards, executive teams and community partners to design long-term strategies, strengthen organisational resilience, and centre lived experience in decision-making. Her work spans health and care, education, youth, culture, peacebuilding, disaster response and human rights, with experience across the UK, Africa, the Pacific and international policy environments. She has led high-value partnerships across government, civil society and the private sector, including major corporate partners.
Kianu Glasgow (Youth Engagement Lead)
Kianu Glasgow is a creative and impact-driven consultant and freelancer who specialises in programme design, career coaching and facilitation. She is also the co-founder of Dipped In Creative Engagement (DICE CIC), a youth engagement agency and social enterprise based in East London.
With 10 years of experience in youth empowerment, employment, and skills development, as well as career progression coaching and facilitation, Kianu takes a creative approach to youth and community engagement projects. She is passionate about creating spaces where individuals and organisations can thrive, drawing on her lived experiences, creativity, collaboration and a strong commitment to social justice. Kianu has experience working with youth in schools, further education, alternative provisions, supported living, local authorities and community organisations.
At FFL, Kianu utilises her extensive knowledge and experience to prioritise people’s journeys and the services they receive. She is dedicated to championing youth engagement and participation, supporting the next generation of leaders and changemakers.
Piarvé Wetshi (Sustainability Lead)
Piarvé Wetshi is an advocate for sustainability in fashion. She is the co-founder of the agency and collective Colèchi and the deadstock textile marketplace, Last Yarn. Piarvé‘s work explores the relationship between craft, community, and materials by hosting workshops and curating experiences that question our relationship with our clothes and with practices in the fashion and textiles industries. She has been recognised as a Vogue Business 100 Innovators 2024, Elle UK Green List 2024 and completed a residency at Somerset House as part of Talent 25, 2025.