Meet the Young Voices!

Alex

My name is Alex, I am 19 years old and I was born with three eye conditions – Glaucoma, Aniridia, and Nystagmus. I’ve recently finished my final year of college studying level 3 Sports and Exercise Science. Sports is my passion and I currently play Goalball at intermediate level for Croydon’s Croysutt Warriors / Elite level for Birmingham. Also I am part of Goalball UKs Talent Squad as well as Goalball UK This Girl Can project group.

I joined Young Voices as I wanted to give people an insight into what it is like as a young person with visual impairment. I want to make sure that people are aware of our needs and to make sports as accessible as possible. By providing schools, universities, office places, coaches and trainers with the right information, they can help support the next generation of blind and partiality sighted young people achieve their goals.

Yousaf

My name is Yousaf, I am 18 and I live in Walsall. I love sports, and I really enjoy watching and playing cricket. I also really like football.  

School told me about a volunteering opportunity coming up at TPT and I decided to go ahead and apply, which has been the one of the best things I have done. Joining Young Voices has built my confidence and gives me a chance to have my voice heard which is important to me. I really enjoy meeting new people and being part of the group.

Liv

My name is Liv, I’m 13, I live in Doncaster, and I was diagnosed with retinoblastoma when I was 3 and ½ months old.

I go to school and mainly study computer subjects, and my hobby is I am currently learning sign language, French, German, and Korean and am a black belt in the Korean martial art called Tae kwon do.

I decided to volunteer because it’s a way to help people around me and possibly around the world, it lets me show what I can do in the world. I also want to raise awareness of needs to help people with visual impairments like me.

Selvi

Hey! I’m Selvi and I am 12 years old, and I live in London. I was born with an eye condition called achromatopsia, which affects all three types of cone photoreceptor cells that results in reduced vision. I am also colourblind Currently, I am at school in Year 8.  I am an extremely passionate swimmer, and I swim for my county squad. I also really enjoy maths, chemistry, biology, and physics.

I have always wanted to be an advocate for others like me, so volunteering for TPT has helped me make that leap, and become more confident to speak out about it!

Samih

My name is Samih, I’m 18. I’m into music, Drama, volunteering and generally helping out.

My volunteering journey doesn’t have a clear beginning, just because I’ve always been someone who is ready to help whenever I can. From school tours to open evenings but I guessed my first exposure was a youth advisory board for my local areas council, which taught me teamwork, how to represent myself and the views of other people that I’m working with alongside many skills.

From joining Young Voices, I hope to give other visually impaired young people, the opportunity to make changes such as how the educational needs are met, how they socialise with others and anything that may crop up on the way.

Phoebe

Hi, my name is Phoebe. I live in Somerset. I am 15 years old and the middle child in my family. I have a younger brother and an older sister. I love to do activities such as horse riding, rock climbing and goalball, I also love reading. I’m currently reading Harry Potter and the half-blood prince. I love singing, acting, art and cooking. I love hanging out with friends and making memories.

I decided to become a volunteer because I want to tell people that VI or not everyone is equal and that things are possible if you put your mind to it. I want people to know that they will always be heard and that people stick together.