About US
We Rise is an award winning Brixton based community business with a mission to empower young people to create successful futures.
We Rise is an award winning community business with a mission to empower young people to create successful futures.
We believe in the creative potential of young people
We Rise was set up by a group of parents with a shared passion to tackle social disadvantage by helping young people make the difficult transition from school to work
Read more
We put our values into practice
- We Empower - through exploring and experiencing the real world, trying new things and being challenged to deliver, young people develop the ambition, self confidence and motivation they need to get the future they want.
- We Collaborate - through a diverse range of creative partnerships we create projects that are inspirational for young people, rewarding for professionals and of real value for clients.
- We Coach - whoever we work with, we practice supportive, honest, constructive feedback and continuous learning.
- We Rise - together we can create a community where we all can succeed.
The We Rise team have decades of experience from our careers in the commercial, voluntary and public sectors and in education. We use what and who we know to make a difference.
Abigail Melville
CEO
Passionate about tackling inequality, after 25 years working in public, commercial and non-profit organisations – including spells as a Lambeth Councillor, public affairs consultant and secondary school teacher – Abigail founded We Rise to make an impact in her community.
Andy Ankrah
Director
Andy is VP, Head of Technology Consulting for Merkle where he creates better, more connected, and personally relevant experiences for consumers. He is passionate about making meaningful progress for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and empowering others – especially young people – to gain access to opportunities and create successful futures whether in digital or otherwise.
David Njie
David loves young people. A former youth worker, coach and learning mentor, he is a qualified counsellor with a practice focussed on adolescent mental health. He has 18 years experience delivering person centred programmes that improve motivation, aspiration and performance.
James Flitcroft
Director
James co-founded We Rise to innovate careers education. He has 14 years experience developing employability programmes for 11-19 yr olds in inner city schools and PRUs, including a DWP funded Employability Passport for 11-16 year olds. He is careers lead and senior leader at Chelsea Academy.
Polly Waterworth
COO
A Brixton creative at heart, Polly is a qualified Architect with 20 years experience designing, managing and delivering architectural projects across London. She also runs her own hand made bag company on Etsy.
Mohammed-Hadi Osman
Director
Mohammed is a Strategy Consultant, with previous experience in working in Supply Chain and Technology at an automotive manufacturer. He also has some experience in Political engagement, sustainability, youth engagement and climate advocacy, having attended both COP26 and the 2021 G7 as a Climate Youth Advocate.
Ray McFarlane
Director
A Brixton based film Director, Ray tells stories through film. He has collaborated with many local organisations like Makerhood and Afawee. Ray also teaches film-making to young and vulnerable people.
Virginia Payne
Director
Virginia is a Brixton based management accountant with over 20 years in the corporate world. She has deep experience of leading and delivering global commercial finance projects across Europe & Asia.
Maria Taylor
Director
Maria is studying Biomedicine at Sussex and brings a young person’s perspective to the Board. She is passionate about youth empowerment: she led the Youth Council and has worked as a Youth Worker and We Rise Coach.
Passionate about tackling inequality, after 25 years working in public, commercial and non-profit organisations - including spells as a Lambeth Councillor, public affairs consultant and secondary school teacher - Abigail founded We Rise to make an impact in her community.
A former Apprentice, Reece leads projects for Brixton Business Improvement District to support local businesses and develop the town centre. A familiar figure in Brixton he is often to be found networking at local events. He grew up locally and lives in Tulse Hill.
David loves young people. A former youth worker, coach and learning mentor, he is a qualified counsellor with a practice focussed on adolescent mental health. He has 18 years experience delivering person centred programmes that improve motivation, aspiration and performance.
James co-founded We Rise to innovate careers education. He has 14 years experience developing employability programmes for 11-19 yr olds in inner city schools and PRUs, including a DWP funded Employability Passport for 11-16 year olds. He is careers lead and senior leader at Chelsea Academy.
A Brixton creative at heart, Polly is a qualified Architect with 20 years experience designing, managing and delivering architectural projects across London. She also runs her own hand made bag company on Etsy.
A self confessed people person, Estella has 15 years experience helping companies grow. She specialises in developing company culture and recruiting the best talent for start-up and rapid growth companies in the tech sector.
A Brixton based film Director, Ray tells stories through film. He has collaborated with many local organisations like Makerhood and Afawee. Ray also teaches film-making to young and vulnerable people.
Virginia is a Brixton based management accountant with over 20 years in the corporate world. She has deep experience of leading and delivering global commercial finance projects across Europe & Asia.
Maria is studying Biomedicine at Sussex and brings a young person’s perspective to the Board. She is passionate about youth empowerment: she led the Youth Council and has worked as a Youth Worker and We Rise Coach.