Lynda’s husband was one of the first black officers in the Metropolitan Police Force. He tragically died in the course of his duties when she was just 20, 1 week away from expecting their son. Part of the Windrush generation, Dr Lynda Ince-Greenaway also faced discrimination and hardship, but went on to gain a doctorate in social work, becoming a force for good in society.

Lynda is now a qualified social worker, life coach, motivational speaker and author.

Now a Reiki Master Teacher and motivational speaker, Tulsi Vagjiani’s entire family was killed in a 1990 air disaster when she was just ten. Tulsi underwent more than 50 operations to repair horrific burns. Going through this extraordinary ordeal would eventually set her on a path to becoming a campaigner for those with visible differences.

Living through a kidney transplant later in life, Tulsi, now in her forties, is a motivational speaker, Pilates instructor and coach, and is never happier than when she is giving talks in schools.

Nequela Whittaker overcame the odds to become an inspirational mentor, working with young people who have committed a criminal offence. A musically gifted child who loved drama, Nequela was bullied at school for being different. Turning to drugs and gang culture to gain acceptance, she found herself sentenced to four years in a Scottish prison aged just 17.

Having gained a BA Honours degree in Applied Social Science, Community Development and Youth Work. In 2013, she founded Committed Empowered Originals (CEO), a youth service organisation that helps young people make better life decisions.

Sarah Graham is a talented artist who creates paintings full of colour and life. Her mental health problems started in 2005, and she was diagnosed with bipolar type 2 in 2015. Sarah attempted suicide on two occasions, and now has a deep gratitude that she was unsuccessful and feels blessed that she is now stable and living a full and happy life.

Sarah has always used her hyper-realistic, colourful art as a way of focusing and recovering after each episode.

Professional boxer Nicola Barke, known as the ‘Burmese Python’, lives by the belief that everyone has their own calling. A former world title holder in Taekwondo, British number one in kickboxing and World number two in Burmese bareknuckle boxing, Nicola overcame narcolepsy to achieve outstanding sporting success.

She has also coped with the aftermath of a life-threatening car crash before committing to a career in professional boxing.