Rosa has lived in Camden since the age of 5 and is the founder of Survivors Can Shine. She grew up in an abusive environment, abused by her primary caregiver. She went to bed in fear and woke up in fear, silenced by her abuser through shame, guilt, fear and a misplaced need to protect her.

Although signs of abuse were clearly evident, she was labelled a 'Problem Child' and passed on from one school to the next. She could not concentrate in class or relate to other children as she had long since become an adult. No one asked questions and she was too afraid to tell. She found through music, dance and drama she was able to express herself. She didn't realise then, just how important these forms of expression would be in helping her survive her childhood.

Aged fourteen, Rosa ran away from home to escape her abuser. She thought the worst was behind her, she did not know that you cannot hide from trauma. This led her down endless paths of self-destruction as she attempted to suppress the painful memories.

Both Rosa and her brother, a Deputy Head Teacher and Child Protection Worker, suffer from lifelong physical and mental health conditions medically linked to trauma. In 2017, they finally spoke out and took their abuser to court seeking justice and accountability for the abuse they suffered at her hands. Their mother was acquitted of all charges. Rosa took to social media, reaching out to other survivors and organisations who raise awareness of child abuse and the systemic injustices which fail so many.

Rosa is a strong campaigner and has worked with organisations across the UK raising awareness and supporting survivors of abuse. She has given talks on her lived experience and the impact of childhood trauma at universities and safeguarding conferences. She is an active member of the forum for the Truth Project and has contributed to the review of victims’ law held by the Victims Commissioner for London. Rosa was appointed Child Abuse Ambassador for ‘Respect Yourself’, a charity providing advocacy and support for young people.

Through her work Rosa saw the pattern of abuse, trauma and predictable outcomes related to mental and physical health. She was shocked by the lack of open conversation and opportunity for children to speak out and be heard. She founded Survivors Can Shine to lift the taboo on speaking about abuse and break the silence that abusers rely on. She created the I Shine, Speak Out Safeguarding programme to provide a platform to empower children and celebrate their voices. Leading with a multi-agency approach and establishing transparency between services, her mission is to ensure that no child is left without a voice.

'I no longer feel ashamed or that I have to hide from my childhood, the determination I had to survive as a child is what gave me the strength I have to continue today.'

A graduate in performing arts with a wealth of experience in mentoring and co-facilitating workshops for children and young people, Montana represents young people's voices on the board of directors.

Montana has taught theatre in inner city schools and run drama therapy  workshops at young offenders' institutions.

She is a member of performance group So La Flair, a solid group of young women pushing boundaries of storytelling to disrupt and dismantle dominant discourses of race, gender, sexuality and class. The group's touring show sold out at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2022.

Montana has a passionate belief in the power of performing arts to act as a catalyst for young people to develop responsibility and pride in their own creativity, amplify their voices on issues that matter to them, and create social change.

Miranda has over 20 years’ experience working with children from diverse backgrounds, in a range of childcare settings from nurseries to Pupil Referral Units. As a young adult she trained as a peer motivator for 13–19-year-olds in Camden.

Her professional roles include Early Educator and Learning Support Assistant, facilitating children with additional needs to access the curriculum. She recently gained a BA in Early Childhood Studies.

Miranda is passionate about putting the child’s voice at the centre of her work, reinforcing positive behaviour. She employs a therapeutic approach to build trust with children who may have experienced abuse or neglect, supporting their mental health and helping them to develop a sense of belonging and self-worth.

As a Parents Volunteer Champion, Miranda has helped families to access local services and make connections in their communities.

Miranda has Makaton training, a unique language programme that uses symbols, signs and speech to enable people to communicate. She’s also an experienced singer/song-writer. Survivors Can Shine are excited that Miranda’s wide range of communication skills will support our mission: to ensure that every child has a voice.