- Ra’eesah Kai
Ra’eesah is a multifaceted creative within theatre, film, music and spoken word. As a performer, she can be seen acting and singing and she also enjoys filmmaking; in particular, video editing.
She enjoys creating opportunities and advocating for young people, with a focus on increasing access to spaces for underrepresented people and encouraging them to use creativity as a form of self-expression and a tool for building connections with the self and the community.
Ra’eesahs’ favourite quote is: “What if I fall? Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?” - Erin Hanson
- Milana Bout
Milana was born in Kazakhstan and moved to the UK when she was eleven. When she was unable to go to university, she was very happy to find We Belong and has been involved with them since 2020. With their help, she is now able to study Psychology in Leicester through an Article 26 scholarship.
She has a broad range of interests, finding joy in music, dance and any other creative activities. Being able to create and connect with others made her enjoy utilising social media platforms for different purposes. For the past 3 years, she has been actively working with charities to create different types of content, finding the possibility to share important messages through that. Storytelling is something that is very precious to her so she found a new interest in creating podcasts and she hopes to start her own podcast in the future exploring films, music and culture.
Milana's favourite quote is: Be happy with what you have while working for what you want - Helen Keller
- Ore Shoyinka
Ore is an award-winning first-class Law with Human Rights graduate currently studying her master’s in International Law and Governance at Durham University. She has a special interest in International Human Rights Law to which she dedicated her dissertation, “Discussing the right to higher education in England and analysing the actions of the government in relation to Article 13 of the ICESCR.”
Alongside her undergraduate studies, Ore was a player in the women’s basketball team and continues to play now. She also loves watching K-dramas and practising Muay Thai.
Ore’s favourite is: “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” - Mahatma Gandhi.
- Frances Fraser
Frances is currently in her final year studying Religion, Society and Culture at Durham University. She has become particularly interested in the politics and legalities of migration and its intersection with religion. Alongside her studies, Frances has developed a love for tennis - a sport that makes her feel increasingly confident and powerful.
During the summer of 2023, Frances worked with Hackney Migrant Centre (HMC) in their communications team where she developed and produced a monthly newsletter for migrants and non-migrants to learn more about life at HMC.
With very nomadic parents, Frances has moved house more times than she can count but currently lives in Somerset in a village between Bath and Bristol. Whilst she enjoys the hustle and bustle of the city, the rural life is what really grounds her.
Frances’ favourite quote is: “The grass is always greener where you water it.” - Neil Barringham
- Oluchi Paula Apeja
Paula is currently studying Adult Nursing and hopes to later become a Midwife or Speech and Language Therapist. She has helped organise many youth gatherings and events within her church and community and enjoys writing stories and designing.
Paula’s favourite quote is: “Does worry add anything to your life? Can it add one more year or even one day? So if worrying adds nothing, but actually subtracts from your life, why would you worry about God's care of you?" - Luke 12:25-26 The Bible