The Actforchange Approach
Our Mission at actforchange is in the ongoing development of effective and empowering intervention supporting children, young people, single parents and families to overcome trauma and adversity.
Evidence-based Methodology
Our model has been developed over a decade of working with young people, and we’re currently conducting a clinical effcacy trial, ensuring that our interventions are backed by robust evidence.
Systems Approach
Our model has been developed over a decade of working with young people, and we’re currently conducting a clinical effcacy trial, ensuring that our interventions are backed by robust evidence.
Chair of the Board
Darren Johnson
Darren is a youth justice and safeguarding specialist with a background in frontline work, national policy, and senior leadership. He has championed support for high-risk young people affected by trauma and crime and also works to make outdoor spaces accessible to marginalised groups. A founder of youth services and national trainer, Darren brings lived insight and strategic expertise to Act for Change’s commitment to equity, safety, and inclusion.
Trustee & Youth Panel Lead
Joanne Boddison
Joanne is a social care leader with a background in fostering and youth services, and a Trustee at Act for Change. Throughout her career, she’s been dedicated to creating spaces where young people feel heard, safe, and valued. At Act for Change, Joanne leads the Youth Advisory Panel—ensuring that young voices are at the heart of how we design, evaluate, and grow our work. Passionate about co-production and about building bridges between professional systems and lived experience.
Trustee & Community Inclusion Lead
Sean Clarke
Sean is a trustee at Act for Change, with a deep commitment to inclusion, equity, and community-led change. His work focuses on amplifying voices that are often marginalised in mental health systems—especially fathers, minoritised communities, and individuals on the edges of care. At Act for Change, Sean supports initiatives that ensure programmes reflect the realities of the communities we serve and build genuine partnerships with those too often left out of the conversation. He believes that lasting change begins with listening—deeply, consistently, and across difference.
Trustee & Governance Lead
Marc Keidan
Marc is a solicitor and founding partner of Keidan Harrison LLP, and a trustee at Act for Change. His focus is on strengthening the charity’s governance, ensuring our systems, policies, and risk management processes evolve to support responsible growth. He brings experience from complex legal and organisational environments to help Act for Change build a resilient foundation—one that supports bold, trauma-informed work with integrity and care.
CEO
Lea Misan
Lea is a psychotherapist, coach, and facilitator with a deep commitment to helping people heal from trauma and reclaim their agency. Lea founded Act for Change in 2007 to support young people and families who’ve experienced deep pain—especially the kind passed down through generations. Her work is rooted in lived experience and a belief in the power of empathy, connection, and community to transform lives.
Training Lead
Eva Vohlidkova
Eva is a Processwork psychotherapist (UKCP registered), a certified coach (ICF), and has a degree in clinical psychology. She started her career in healthcare, supporting people with physical and mental problems. Today, in her private practice, she focuses on personal growth, psychotherapy and training. She coordinates and develops programmes for individuals, teams, and organisations to support trauma-informed practice and empower young people in creative leadership.
Operations Lead
Tim Leaman
Tim is a strategic leader in business operations with over 20 years of experience in the youth and education sectors. He has delivered national programmes, managed multimillion-pound budgets, and pioneered scalable initiatives that uplift young people. As a skilled partnerships manager and safeguarding lead, Tim brings operational excellence and creative thinking to every challenge.
Research & Evaluation Lead
Josef Fischer
Josef is a specialist in digital infrastructure, data systems, and impact evaluation within the youth sector. He has led the implementation of data strategies for major national initiatives. Josef brings a sharp analytical lens and deep sector insight to help Act for Change understand and evidence its impact.
Comms & Engagement Lead
Talia Misan
Talia has been part of Act for Change since 2022, working across marketing and communications to amplify the organisation’s vision and impact. Dedicated to storytelling, she ensures AFC’s work resonates with partners and the public. Talia also develops tools and materials to support and strengthen the AFC network.
Our Therapists
Practice Team
Our group of therapists form the living heart of our trauma-informed approach. Each brings a unique cultural lens, professional journey, and lived experience. Drawn from schools, youth services, mental health, and community healing, they don’t just support our mission—they embody it. Their collaboration is our quality assurance. Their commitment is our credibility.
Why it matters:
Our diversity isn’t just demographic, it’s experiential. It ensures that what we build is grounded in the realities of those we serve. Their collaboration is our quality assurance. Their commitment is our credibility.