Our Team

Ruth

I’m Ruth. I’m passionate about connecting with interesting people and I’m continually curious about those who have walked very different paths to my own. I’m constantly dismayed by the current UK direction of travel but I’m ultimately optimistic and determined to work towards something more helpful.

A professional northerner who seems to spend a lot of her life onstage in London – talking about the wonders of the north.

Radical simply means “grasping at the root”. – Angela Davis

Monica

I’m Mónica. My curiosity about the world led me to the UK. Working in emergency situations has deepened my appreciation for the importance of community and connection. Growing up in a less diverse country has made me value the significance and beauty of living in a multicultural society. I truly enjoy meeting and learning from people from various walks of life, which has enriched my understanding of the world and the communities I am a part of.

“I don’t believe in charity. I believe in solidarity. Charity is so vertical. It goes from the top to the bottom. Solidarity is horizontal. It respects the other person. I have a lot to learn from other people.” ― Eduardo Galeano

Get in contact at Monica@rootsprogramme.org

Heidi

I’m Heidi. I grew up living across divided worlds, adapting like a chameleon; a traveller living in my international school’s car park, being Jewish growing up in a Muslim country, a private school boarder going home to an overcrowded council flat. Such complex stories of identity are becoming more common in a globalised world. I like to help young people to discover ways to embrace complexity within themselves and the world around them.

My experiences have shaped my work with young people in comprehensive, international and pupil-referral unit settings; those struggling with their identities, affected by division in their communities whether from gentrification, knife crime or complex trauma.

“This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival… Treat each guest honourably, it may be clearing you out for some new delight” – Rumi

Get in contact at Heidi@rootsprogramme.org

Rosie

I’m Rosie. I’ve always been interested in a lot of contrasting things and this has led to me meeting, working alongside and making friends with a lot of contrasting people. What’s been consistently joyful about this is how those seemingly different people have always made space for me and how quickly common ground can be found when we take the time to look for it.

I believe that the answers to complex, global problems can be found in the hands of empowered, empathetic communities. By fostering deeper connections, opening dialogue and listening to different perspectives at a local level, communities can unlock solutions that reach well beyond the boundaries of their neighbourhood. The path to systemic change begins with small, impactful steps that help us relate to each other and allow us to develop a more nuanced understanding of other people’s lives.

“When you find people who start from a position where human beings are at the core, as opposed to a position where profit is at the core, the solutions can be very different.” Audre Lorde

Get in contact at Rosie@rootsprogramme.org

Clare

I’m Clare. I was brought up in a working-class family that loved stories. History, politics, family – it was all stories. I have never met anyone without a story worth listening to. They are always complex, incredibly valuable and often difficult to tell. The stories I have heard have shaped the way I listen. Without sharing them, we remain spiky, isolated and fearful. Fear often sounds like hostility and being listened to can often feel like love.

Managing fear, risking telling your story, asking to hear someone else’s, being inquisitive, being interested, being wrong, we’ll always find a connection if we dare.

With Roots, I want to support people to be brave enough to connect.

“I had been taught to look for monsters and devils and I found ordinary people.” – Jeanette Winterson

Get in contact at Clare@rootsprogramme.org

Rosie

I’m Sarah. I was born in London and am of mixed heritage – my mum was English, and my dad is Kenyan-Goan, so I had interesting and diverse cultural experiences growing up and a very large network of close family from my dad’s side. Even though London was culturally diverse at this time, my family and I experienced racism, often subtle and sometimes blatant which, as a child, left me feeling uneasy about my ethnicity, and sometimes fearful of what others thought about me.

As I grew up, exploring my heritage helped me embrace my identity and sparked a curiosity about my roots that eventually led me to travel and volunteer across East and Southern Africa. Immersing myself in diverse communities and cultures fuelled a passion for people and planet. Based on my experiences, I believe that overcoming societal issues requires education and a willingness to confront your fears, much like the ones I’ve faced, because fear often creates barriers to connection. I also believe in the power of storytelling to break down these barriers and foster compassion between different communities. It is this perspective that drew me to the work of The Roots Programme.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” -Nelson Mandela

Get in contact with me at sarah@rootsprogramme.org

Our programmes are run by facilitators employed by The Roots Programme. Every facilitator has an Enhanced DBS check and is hand picked from our network of organisations (founded by Ruth Ibegbuna) for their unique skills, expertise and experience. If you would like to know more about our facilitators, please do not hesitate to contact us or please email us to set up a chat with them directly.