Emily Sadana (Impact Officer), has been formally working with children in a variety of settings since 2011 when she first started volunteering for a children’s home in Cape Town, South Africa. Since starting her volunteer journey, Emily has discovered her passion for supporting children from all backgrounds and walks of life, working in schools with children with physical, SEN and behavioural needs and more recently supporting the needs of babies and their mothers in a safe house.

Emily is a self-confessed dreamer who wants to awaken the dreams of all the people she encounters and give them the confidence to transform those dreams into a reality, as well as the knowledge and wisdom to overcome any barriers they may face in doing so.

As an impact officer, Emily manages two teams of volunteers at Lauriston Primary School and Sebright School in Hackney. She is dedicated to ensuring that both teams create a positive change in the communities in which they serve and that experience impacts on their own personal development for life.

‘Every dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world’ - Harriet Tubman

Connie Lynch  is 20 years old and currently on placement as part of her Sociology degree at the University of Bath. She was drawn to City Year because she believes it is a unique and valuable opportunity to experience working with children in an educational setting, and make a positive impact.

Connie admires the ethos of City year, and she hopes to see her confidence and assertiveness develop throughout the year, as well as witness the positive impact education has on children’s lives.

She is also keen to help out with sports clubs at Sebright.

After City Year, Connie will go back to Bath to complete her final year of university, and hopes the skills she learns this year will be of great value.

“Education is the passport to the future” – Malcolm X

Amine Khelifi is 22 years old and is passionate about my life, work and study because he has always loved what he does and what his role required him to do. Amine has a steady source of motivation and inspiration that frequently drives him to do the best in order to serve those who need him as good as possible and make the difference to them. This year, Amine has taken a break from University and has decided to take a chance and join City Year UK. Amine is looking forward to this opportunity where he will be developing himself in different aspects and learning skills which would be great to have in his future career. He also hopes to support the children he works with to achieve well.

Amine has 2 little sisters that he loves and has been so curious about their school and their study. Maths was Amine’s strong subject at some point before he joined university so he was the one who helped them with questions and challenges. Through this experience, Amine has learnt to approach teaching with a friendly demeanor, even when they might be wrong! He believes this experience he has had at home with his sisters will support his journey in school.

As a foreigner In England for almost 1.5-year, Amine can feel that he is slightly different than the majority of the others regarding his background, culture and language. However, As a VM (Volunteer Mentor) he feels this will encourage him to challenge himself daily and learn as much as he can to bring success to children who need it and the community he serves in.

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal, It is the courage to continue that counts." Winston S. Churchill

Krupa Jani is 20 years old and is currently serving with City Year UK on her placement year whilst studying Psychology at Brunel University London.

She joined City Year UK to help create a positive impact on the disadvantaged children and be the support they need in order for them to succeed but to also have fun at school despite the possible circumstances they may be experiencing. Krupa hopes to do this by showing how passionate and motivated she is by creating an atmosphere where the children can enjoy coming into school and learning new things.

While volunteering at City Year, Krupa hopes to develop her life skills such as teamwork and leadership which will later help her in the working world as well as grow as an individual and learning from different challenges.

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world” – Mahatma Gandhi

Miranda Gibbs is 27 years old and lives in Oxfordshire, though is currently based in London while volunteering for City Year. She is passionate about nature and the environment and hopes to work with children in the future, preferably in a role that can combine both her interests.

Miranda studied at Godstowe primary and Westonbirt secondary school. After this she attended Abingdon & Witney College, Pershore College and finally Sparsholt College. Time in education was thoroughly enjoyed despite many challenges.

She hopes her placement with City Year UK will inspire positive change and create an environment in which children feel excited to learn and grow, and in the future, empower generations yet to come.

“I have a message for my fans. Whatever you want to do in this world, it is achievable. The most important thing that i’ve found, that perhaps you could use, is be passionate and enthusiastic in the direction that you choose in life, and you’ll be a winner.” - Steve Irwin

Katie Norris is 20 years old and is currently serving with City Year on her placement year whilst studying Psychology at Aston University in Birmingham.

She has worked with children in many different ways including: through swimming teaching/coaching at her local swim club and taking part in the National Citizens Service (NCS), which is a Youth Programme designed to give 16-17-year olds a clearer idea of what they want from the future. She also experienced real poverty when volunteering at a school in Myanmar with World Challenge, an organisation which gives students the opportunity to write their own stories, make their own mistakes and live their own adventures.

Last summer, Katie worked at a summer camp during Camp America with children onsite 24/7 for 10 weeks which she found enlightening. These experiences have taught her how much she loves working with children and how interested she is in a career in teaching.

Katie believes City Year provides the opportunity to be able to develop herself and get to work to make a difference with helping children. She sees how City Year makes a real difference in schools to help children to bring the best out of every aspect of themselves. She is looking forward to the opportunity to continue this good work with the Primary School children this year. Katie hopes to forge many great relationships and bonds with the staff and the pupils at Sebright and everyone involved in City Year.

“You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think.” - Christopher Robin

Lloyd Menka is 21 years old and on a placement year as part of his course at Aston University. Lloyd was drawn to City Year through the idea of giving  individuals better opportunities in life.

Lloyd appreciates the dedication of City Year and wants to help ensure better learning for pupils in schools across London as well as a better chance in life for those less fortunate. He hopes to engage with pupils through exchanging interests such as sports which could include football and tennis. By building these relationships, Lloyd hopes that his impact in the classroom will grow.

After City Year, Lloyd will return to university to complete his final year. He hopes that his experiences with City Year will give him support, guidance and  a better outlook on life which will encourage him to succeed in his future career.

“Good deeds multiply” - Gandhi