Jess Eastoe

Job role:

My job role is Young People Equality Lead. My role has two priority areas: Youth voice, leadership and participation, which aims to connect young people to opportunities and networks in our sector and creating space for co-design and co-delivery. GM Moving and our partners use and share The Lundy Model of Participation to evaluate our impact within youth voice. Workforce and employability, working with GM partners to shape the narrative of opportunities in our sector for the future and encouraging pathways for young people. We also lead on investment into skills and learning in physical activity for young people.

Both priority areas are underpinned with an equality, equity, diversity and inclusion lens to ensure we have a data driven, targeted focus on young people in all ten boroughs to have access to opportunities via youth work and out-of-school settings.

Date started: November 2020

Professional background:

I started my career as a teacher, but retrained as a youth worker from volunteering on a local LGBTQ+ youth group close to home. I went on to work in local authorities and the charity sector delivering targeted youth work, and specialising in youth democracy – before joining GM Moving. I have co-founded two LGBTQ+ organisations in my home borough. I am involved in local politics in my constituency.

How movement brings me joy: The nice long walk through the terminal, to find the gate, to board a plane.