Lucas Wainwright
Trustee
I first joined Stomping Grounds in 2022 as a young participant aged 14, and in summer 2023 I became a Young Leader supporting woodland sessions at sites such as Dukes Hagg and Watling Woods. As an amputee (losing my left foot in an accident aged three), and as a neurodiverse young person, I experienced bullying throughout primary school and parts of secondary and even sixth form. Stomping Grounds was the first place where I felt fully included, respected and able to be myself.
I left in January 2024 to focus on youth representation, serving as an elected Member of UK Youth Parliament for County Durham and later as one of 17 Youth Ambassadors to the Children’s Commissioner for England (2nd cohort). I worked on national policy for SEND, mental health and children’s rights, driven by my own experiences and by seeing the challenges faced by other young people.
Both roles have now finished, and I have just completed my A-levels in History, Geography and Politics at St Bede’s Catholic School in Lanchester. I wanted to return to the organisation that shaped my values and helped me find confidence, belonging and purpose. As a Trustee, I hope to help protect this inclusive community so more children can experience the same welcome I did.
Following mainstream education, I accepted the competitive role of Policy and Public Affairs Apprentice at Channel 4 – starting in September 2026. My long term goal is primary teaching, and the apprenticeship is an opportunity to build my political network and gain corporate experience before progressing into education, and then hopefully into politics to help change education for the better!
More about my background and experiences are on LinkedIn, and I am always happy to connect and help where I can. https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucas-j-m-wainwright-251b0b315/
