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About Us

The charity started in 2015 following the tragic death of Ashdon Muirhead who ended her own life at just the age of 14 years. As a teenager Ashdon struggled with peer pressure, peer aggression at school and lacking confidence about being herself in a society that pressurises young women to be and act a certain way.

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Her mother Trisha Muirhead, continues to believe it is her life’s work to help as many girls faced with the same challenges as Ashdon.  She set up Ashdon Jazz Academy in 2015 and has since supported over 300 vulnerable young women. The main work of the charity is to assign a mentor with a mentee on a 1:1 basis. They meet, or speak regularly and empower confidence, develop personal skills, deal with their challenges and be an listening ear.  In addition, the charity continues to provide a weekly drop-in session, workshops, weekend retreats and other female only events.  AJA works in partnership with local Councils, Youth Clubs, Schools, Children’s Social Care and other statutory and voluntary organisations. This enables them to target vulnerable young females who may benefit from being referred, or may wish to self-refer directly for mentoring, or to access one of the services.

Meet The Team

The AJA team is led by CEO and Founder Trisha Muirhead and all currently work part-time:

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Laura Pearson

Mentoring Support

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Naga Sandhyu

Administrator/ Book Keeper

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Trisha Muirhead

CEO and Founder

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Athenna Fuller

Project Outreach Worker

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Beth Springer

Project Outreach Worker

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Fabiah Fuller

Project Outreach

Worker

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Kalliyah Kirlew

Social Media Administrator

The charity is governed by trustees who meet regularly to review charity finances, safeguarding and impact. Each trustee is responsible for overseeing key aspects of the charity:

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Kevin Howell

Chairperson, Treasurer and Marketing

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Michelle Nicholas

Charity Secretary 

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Linda Neal 

Human Resources

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Pauline Thomas

Safeguarding Trustee

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Kate Wilson

 Fundraising Trustee

The charity is indebted to its 30+ mentor volunteers, whom without their hard work and dedication the charity could not carry it’s mission. Before each volunteer begins working with AJA, they are asked to attend a interview to ensure they fully understand what is required of them and share their previous experience. Once they pass the interview stage, they undergo certified safeguarding training and Enhanced DBS and reference checks. Only once this process has been passed, they can start working with the girls, with monthly supervision meetings.

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The charity benefits from the time given by other volunteers who assist with fundraising events, bid writing and female only events.

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