Behind the scenes, a small team, Board and lots of volunteers make our work possible.

Meet the Tiny Changes Team

Kara Olayinka, CEO

Kara is Tiny Changes’ CEO.

The Chief Executive is responsible for planning, financing and directing the charity’s work.

Click here to find our more about Kara’s role and the young people who inspire her.

Find out more about how Kara worked with the Hutchisons and friends to build Tiny Changes, and her current work on her Instagram @karahartley

Tom Johnson, Community and Events Coordinator

Tom is Tiny Changes’ Community and Events Coordinator. He leads community engagement, volunteering, events and fundraising. 

Tom joined the staff team in 2022 and has helped grow our community of tiny change makers through different communications, partnerships and events.

 

Raj Jeyaraj, Interim Operations

Raj is leading interim operations for Tiny Changes. The main focus of his work with the charity between May and October 2024 is on the development of our coproduction programme and the recruitment of five new staff who will co-produce and run Tiny Changes mental health projects.

Jasmine Smales, Lived Experience Project Leader

Jasmine leads the Young People’s Mental Health in Schools project, focusing on implementing early intervention strategies in schools. She collaborates with educators and pupils to create workshops and resources that promote mental wellness and resilience among students. Jasmine’s project aims to complement a sustainable model of mental health education in the school programme, enhancing the overall well-being of school communities in an Edinburgh-based primary school.

Kieran Howe, Lived Experience Project Leader

Kieran leads the Young People’s Mental Health in Arts project, harnessing the therapeutic potential of arts to improve mental health among young people. He organises events and workshops integrating artistic expression with mental health education, creating engaging ways to discuss and manage mental health. Kieran’s initiative aims to reach diverse groups of young people, encouraging them to express themselves and improve their mental health through creative activities.

Iffat Ahmad, Lived Experience Project Leader

Iffat leads the Young People’s Mental Health in Intersectional Communities project, which focuses on young people at the intersection of mental health issues and race, gender, class, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, or other marginalised communities. Through a tailored programme, she aims to address the unique challenges faced by these communities and ensure that mental health resources and services are accessible to all, regardless of their backgrounds and identities.

Kayla-Megan Burns, Lived Experience Project Leader

Kayla leads the Young People’s Mental Health in the Music Industry project, leveraging the power of music and media to address mental health issues. They produce a podcast series featuring discussions with artists who share their experiences and expert insights on coping mechanisms and support resources. This initiative seeks to destigmatise mental health issues in this creative industry and provide a platform for brave conversations.

Jack Dargo, Lived Experience Project Leader

Jack leads the Young People’s Mental Health in Universities and Colleges project, setting up peer-led support groups in universities and colleges. He provides spaces for students to discuss mental health issues openly and support one another. Jack’s initiative involves organising regular meetings, awareness campaigns, and events to foster a supportive community on campus. The project will develop resources and tools to empower students to build student mental health groups and advocate for change in their institutions, focusing on a Glasgow-based university.

Our Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall control and governance of our charity. They meet at least four times a year with the CEO and spend time with Wavemakers and team members in our work to help young minds feel better.

Over 65% of our Board are women. Our Board is intergenerational – aged under 22 to over 70 years old.

We have 5 Trustees – Aine Lovedale (Co-Chair, Manager, National Lottery Community Fund Scotland), Ami Anderson (Co-Chair, Series Producer, STV Children’s Appeal),  John Todd (Treasurer, former Partner, Johnston Carmichael), Dionne Hossack (Student Nurse, Activist) and Marion Hutchison (Scott’s Mum, Founding Trustee.)

Wavemakers

We are building a network of young volunteers, staff and activists under 30 to make sure that young people are at the heart of all of our work.

Sign up by emailing info@tinychanges.com or sending us a DM. Follow @WavemakersHub on Instagram if you’re under 30 and would like to find out more.

Extra Support

We’re currently working with consultants Heather Belmonte (Virtual Assistant), Ellie Hutchison (M&E) and others including press, marketing and design experts to deliver our work.

Are you a talented person looking for an exciting new project? Get in touch with us on info@tinychanges.com to register your interest as a volunteer, consultant or agency.

Be part of something special

If you share our passion for improving young people’s mental health and have time, money or resources available to support the cause, we’d like to hear from you. We post all job and volunteer vacancies on our blog – so keep an eye on that too.

Together, we’ll make tiny changes to earth.