NHS children’s mental health lead joins youth charity’s board

Sarah Brown, the national programme lead for children and young people’s mental health at NHS England, has joined young people’s arts charity Youth Music as a trustee.

She is one of six board level appointments made by the charity as it looks to address a funding gap for the grassroots organisations it backs.

In announcing the appointments, the charity has revealed it has to turn down more than three quarters (77%) of its funding applications, equating to a £44m shortfall.

Brown has worked in public sector children’s services for more than 20 years.

“Youth Music’s new trustees will support the charity to address this by raising its profile and securing crucial partnerships and income from the wider creative industries,” said the charity.

Say hello to our new trustees 👋

Following a competitive recruitment process, we have welcomed six new trustees, each bringing a range of lived experience, skills and expertise to the Youth Music board.https://t.co/njZK9UtI5A pic.twitter.com/lqTMF8DK2H
— Youth Music (@YouthMusic) May 2, 2023

Also joining the charity’s board are Cheltenham Festivals innovation manager Andrew Lansley, head of music at law firm Clintons Berkely Edwards, Bre McDermott-King from music label AWAL, media expert Hanna Chalmers, who has worked across the BBC’s youth brands, and public funding and diversity expert Paul Bonham.

Youth Music chair YolanDa Brown added: “Over the past five years, I have had the privilege of working alongside some of the most passionate and creative individuals as trustees at Youth Music. It has been inspiring to witness their continued commitment to the cause even after their time on the board ends.”