Registered Charity Number 1156805
Our Staff and Volunteers
With over 120 years of experience working with vulnerable and disadvantaged young people, our staff team are innovative, diverse, and passionate about creating positive, lasting change for young people.
Our dynamic team, supported by volunteers, offers a unique and valuable set of skills; providing Tokko with a diversity of thought, creativity, perspective and solution focused approaches. Many have lived experience of the challenges our clients face.
Aimee Djengiz
Chief Executive Officer
‘’It’s an honour and a privilege to lead such an innovative youth charity that makes a positive impact to the lives of so many children and young people locally’’
Aimee joined Tokko Youth Space as the CEO in May 2022. Since then she has developed an ambitious strategy that embeds our commitment to meeting the needs of all young people in Luton.
Hazel
Business Manager
What makes you proud to be a part of TOKKO?
‘I have been lucky enough to see TOKKO develop from its infancy over the last 10 years to the incredible charity you find today; working with some amazing funders, partners, staff and young people along the way to make a lasting positive difference. I get a sense of pride when young people take positive steps forward – (however small those steps might be) and when as a team we find a way to make what initially seemed impossible, possible.’
Tasha
Children & Young Person’s Service Manager
What makes you proud to be a part of TOKKO?
Being in the heart of Luton, supporting children & young people in partnership with local and national organisations.
Sade
Youth & Project Worker
What makes you proud to be a part of TOKKO?
‘That it is a place that gives opportunity to young people, and support vulnerable young people out in the world.’
Hayley
Young Parents Youth Worker
What makes you proud to be a part of TOKKO?
I am proud to be a part of Tokko as collectively we each put our heart and soul into meeting the needs of all young people by providing tailored support for each individual’s needs and difficulties whilst celebrating each other’s differences.
Sharon
Youth Worker
What makes you proud to be a part of TOKKO?
To feel part of a family where there is acceptance and provides a home for young people to flourish and grow.
Joe
Digital Communications Leader
What makes you proud to be a part of TOKKO?
I am proud to reach and educate new people so that TOKKO can support a wider and more diverse community. Creating an online presence that accepts everyone and welcomes people from every walk of life.
Naomi
Counselling Co-ordinator
What makes you proud to be a part of TOKKO?
‘’Every day at Tokko Youth Space brings unique challenges and opportunities to develop my professional knowledge and skill set. Working to help young people realise their potential and find their place in our community, is more than a job – it is a passion shared by everyone at Tokko.”
Errol
Youth Participation Officer
Proud to be part of TOKKO as the organisation supports young people to be the best version of themselves and allows me to support them in partnership with agencies, who share this goal across the Luton partnership and networks the organisation, it is forward thinking to meet the changes needed and issues faced or will face with young people driven in order that provision and support can be specially tailored to meet their needs.
Raphy
Handyman
What makes you proud to be a part of TOKKO?
Being part of the team and making sure that the TOKKO building is a physically safe space where the staff can support vulnerable young people. It is always great to get involved in innovative ideas and projects around the building.
Orion
TOKKO mascot, rescue dog and general dogsbody
What makes you proud to be a part of TOKKO?
“I love saying hello to such a wide diverse range of amazing young people who visit TOKKO. I especially enjoy investigating what staff may be having for lunch, joining in on appropriate activities and my regular afternoon snooze under the desk.”
Meet the Trustees
At TOKKO, we are governed by our Board of Trustees. The Board meets regularly and is responsible for setting our strategic direction, as well as for our overall governance and overseeing our management – making sure that all decisions put the needs of the beneficiaries first.
Our board safeguards the charity’s assets – both physical assets and intangible ones, such as its reputation making sure these are used well and that the charity is run sustainably.
Trustees don’t get too involved in the day-to-day running of the charity. They delegate this to the staff, led by the Executive Manager. Instead, they play the role of a ‘critical friend’ to the Executive Manager by giving support and by challenging – in a supportive way – to help them manage effectively and support events and activities.
New trustees are chosen in consultation with the full Board, making sure that, collectively, the Board has the diversity, skills, contacts and experience needed to enable us to operate effectively. If you feel that you have something to offer our charity at board level then please get in touch to start the conversation.
Meet the board and find out what motivates them to volunteer for us.
Phil - Chair of Trustees
Trustee
What motivates you to volunteer as a board member for TOKKO?
‘We all need support at times, as we grow through life and I may not be as gifted as the Tokko team in giving this support, but as a board member I can support them, so they will always be there to support you, come and say hello.’
Justin - Vice Chair of Trustees
Trustee
What motivates you to volunteer as a board member for TOKKO?
We have posed the question to Justin and will update here soon…
Usman
Trustee
What motivates you to volunteer as a board member for TOKKO?
‘The work of all the staff and volunteers at Tokko is so important. They inspire the future generation making sure they are ready to be the Residents, Leaders and Changemakers of the future. Being a Board member allows me to give back and support Tokko by ensuring a young person’s voice is heard on many of the topics the board discusses that directly affect them.’
Bronwen
Trustee
What motivates you to volunteer as a board member for TOKKO?
“I have always been interested in enabling young people to have the best opportunities for their personal growth. To me through TOKKO and the excellent staff team I can ensure young people can access a range of positive activities, bespoke support and opportunities for them to grow.”
Jenny
Trustee
What motivates you to volunteer as a board member for TOKKO?
“I have had the privilege of working with young people in Luton for 15 years. In this time I have seen young people achieve through adversity, aspire and become the next generation of parents and professionals, create, empower and teach! There is so much to learn from our local young people if they are given the opportunity to grow. I believe TOKKO can play an important role in supporting our young people to be the best version of themselves, and I want to be part of this journey.”
Asma
Trustee
What motivates you to volunteer as a board member for TOKKO?
We have posed the question and are awaiting Asma’s words of wisdom… watch this space.
Matthew
Trustee
What motivates you to volunteer as a board member for TOKKO?
“Having worked in local organisations supporting young people for several years, I understand how impactful services like Tokko can be, creating opportunities for young people, making positive changes, raising aspirations, and challenging discrepancies often labelled with the town.”
