A New Era of Leadership at JLGB

A New Era of Leadership at JLGB 

New volunteer teams, new opportunities and a new generation stepping forward

From Young Leaders taking their first steps into adult volunteering to the arrival of a new Volunteer Management Team and National Young Leader Executive, an exciting new chapter is beginning at JLGB. Together, they strengthen something that has always been at the heart of our organisation: young people should not simply take part; they should be given the confidence, skills and opportunity to lead.

JLGB has always been strongest when young people can see what comes next.

A child can arrive at their first local group unsure of what to expect, discover new friends and experiences, progress into Young Leadership, take on real responsibility and, in time, become one of the volunteers creating those same opportunities for somebody else.

This autumn, that pathway is becoming even stronger.

For our former Year 13 Young Leaders, leaving school does not mean leaving JLGB. As they move on to university, apprenticeships and employment, many are taking their first steps into Junior Leader roles, moving from youth leadership into the adult volunteer team.

They already bring years of JLGB experience with them. They have led activities, supported younger members, worked on camps and events and learned what it means to take responsibility for others. Now they have the opportunity to build on that experience, contribute in new ways and help shape the JLGB experience for the generation coming behind them.

Supporting them, and the hundreds of volunteers who make JLGB possible, is our new Volunteer Management Team, which took up its roles this September.

The new structure brings together three areas that are fundamental to a thriving youth movement: People and Culture, Wellbeing and Engagement.

Matthew Clayman, National Head of People and Culture, is supported by Cidney Miller, National Volunteer Manager. Together they are leading JLGB’s long-term approach to volunteer development, progression and culture. One of Matthew’s first priorities is to refresh our training framework, creating clearer pathways so everyone, from a young person exploring leadership for the first time to a longstanding volunteer, can understand where they can go next and what support is available to help them get there.

Sam Steinberg, National Head of Wellbeing, is supported operationally by Emily Diamond. Their focus is on ensuring JLGB remains a safe, supportive and values-led environment where young people and volunteers feel recognised, supported and able to thrive.

Completing the team is Louis Garrad, National Head of Engagement, supported operationally by Linda Diamond MBE. Their work brings together local groups, events and programme delivery, strengthening coordination across JLGB while helping volunteers create consistently engaging experiences for young people.

Together, Matthew, Cidney, Sam, Emily, Louis and Linda will give volunteers clearer support, stronger development opportunities and better-connected pathways throughout their JLGB journey.

But leadership at JLGB is not something reserved for adults.

At the same time, our new National Young Leader Executive Team, all aged 17, is ensuring young people themselves have a meaningful voice in the decisions that shape their movement.

Leading the team is Roni, National Youth President, who sees JLGB as a family in which everyone has a part to play in building a stronger community. He is looking forward to representing Young Leaders nationally, sharing their experiences and helping more young British Jews feel welcome and connected.

Alongside him is Sophia, National Youth Vice President, who describes JLGB as a safe place where young people can be themselves, build confidence, form lasting friendships and discover a genuine sense of belonging. She wants to help the next generation of Young Leaders find that same confidence and purpose.

Amelie, National Youth Voice Lead, will help ensure the experiences and ideas of young people are heard throughout JLGB. Having benefited from the friendships and opportunities the organisation has given her, she is now excited to give something back and help make JLGB even stronger for those who follow.

As National Youth Engagement Lead, Ruby is focused on helping Young Leaders feel connected, valued and part of something bigger. JLGB has been part of her life since she first watched her siblings take part, and she now wants others to experience the same friendships, confidence and community.

Completing the team is Phoebe, Young Leaders Weekend Camp Director, who will lead one of the most important moments in the Young Leader calendar, bringing young people together for a weekend of friendship, fun, skills and leadership development.

Together, Roni, Sophia, Amelie, Ruby and Phoebe will represent Young Leaders from across JLGB, bringing fresh ideas, creating new opportunities and helping shape what comes next. Led by the National Youth President, the team will work directly with JLGB Chief Executive Neil Martin CBE and the wider leadership to ensure youth voice remains at the heart of national decision-making.

Taken together, these changes tell a much bigger story.

JLGB is not simply creating new teams or filling new roles. It is strengthening a continuous pathway of participation, leadership and service.

Young people can move from attending activities to delivering them, from contributing ideas to shaping decisions, and from being supported by volunteers to becoming the volunteers who inspire the next generation.

That is what progression should look like.

And it is why this new era matters.

New people. New opportunities. Clearer pathways. And a new generation ready to step forward and lead JLGB into its next chapter.