OUR TRUSTEES

Simone Lakmaker is the founder of Speaking Out Forum. Simone was the Senior Adjudicator for Rotary International's Youth Speaks and has a licentiate qualification as a public speaking consultant/lecturer from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (LGSM) in the city of London (of which she is also a Freeman). She worked as a consultant for several companies and ran a private practice for adults and young people. She was senior adjudicator for the Rotary internationals competition 'Youth Speaks'.

Sue Goldman has previously held the position of a parent governor at a Special Educational Needs College for students from 16-25 years old and brings a wealth of experience to the team. Sue has also worked with young adults with learning difficulties in the Community for 

many years. As the mother of a young man with Autism, Sue feels passionate about ensuring people with learning difficulties have the opportunity to express themselves in a positive and confident way. 

Sue is delighted to be a part of such a wonderful organisation and committed to helping the Speaking Out Forum achieve its vision and values.

Jessica Samuels became a trustee for the Speaking out Forum in 2022. She is a trainee Counselling Psychologist whose training focuses on the importance of advocating for social justice for all individuals. Jessica has an undergraduate degree in Psychology and an MSc in psychological wellbeing in clinical practice. Jessica has been involved with a range of charities over the last 10 years, supporting individuals who are neurodiverse and who have mental health difficulties. She loves supporting people to reach their unique and individual potential. Jessica has a range of experience working with charity committees and helping charities to grow towards their vision.

Toby Marlow became a trustee for the Speaking Out Forum in 2022. Toby attended the University of Cambridge studying English, and has since gone onto work professionally as a writer, performer and musician, most notably as the co-writer of the Tony Award winning musical ‘SIX’. Toby’s work often focuses on representing, giving space to, and amplifying the voices of those who are so often not heard in the mainstream, and is therefore so grateful and excited to be a trustee for a charity who’s work aims to do exactly that. Toby was also very grateful to have been asked to write the music and lyrics for the charity’s original anthem, ‘Every Voice’, that includes quote from multiple Speaking Out participants integrated throughout the song.

Jemma Samuels joined the board of trustees because the vision and aims of the Speaking Out Forum align with her own beliefs and morals. Jemma is currently completing a fully-funded PhD as a member of the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) North West Consortium Doctoral Training Partnership (NWCDTP) . Jemma has an undergraduate and masters degree in History, specialising in deaf history. Her research aims to bring forward the lived experiences of individuals and groups who have not been given a voice within the historical narrative. She has been involved with various charities since a young age, hoping to promote inclusivity, equality, and self-advocacy. Jemma is also Level 3 British Sign Language.

Rebecca Blahuta is a speech and language therapist who works with young people with a range of complex needs. She has a keen interest on the impact that anxiety has on communication and endeavours to develop self-esteem and confidence in those she works with. Rebecca’s work also involves the use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) which are strategies and tools that support or replace spoken language, helping individuals with learning differences to find their voice.  Rebecca has an undergraduate degree in Speech and Language Therapy and is a member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapy.