Our Team
Meet the Team
Our staff team (who are all volunteers!) at Project Sonrisa, are the driving force behind our mission.
Comprising of passionate individuals who generously contribute their time and skills, they handle crucial tasks like fundraising, social media, project coordination, and community outreach. By volunteering, they amplify the impact of Project Sonrisa, achieving goals and making a meaningful difference in the community.
Emma is a creative with a passion for making positive change. Founding Project Sonrisa in July 2020, Emma wanted to bring communities together and start more meaningful conversations around mental health. They believe in an intersectional approach to mental well-being and created Project Sonrisa as a community for anyone and everyone to be a part of.
In September 2022, Wiktoria Orlicka began volunteering i communications and social media for Project Sonrisa. Wiktoria lead on the social media content leading up to the Our Minds Documentary Premiere and was responsible for the photography at the event. She also designed 'Quinn' - Project Sonrisa's Mascot.
Chloe officially joined the Project Sonrisa team in October 2023. Before then she had been involved in projects with us such as a Virtual Choir and 'It All Matters' podcast. She has followed along with the mission and work of Project Sonrisa since we began and joined as a volunteer to learn and grow as well as give back to organisation that she is deeply passionate about.
Our Board
Our board of trustees play a vital role in making sure that Project Sonrisa achieves its mission. They oversee the overall management and administration of the organisation. They ensure that Project Sonrisa has a clear strategy and that our work and goals are in line with our mission. Just as importantly, they support and challenge the staff team to enable Project Sonrisa to grow and thrive. You can get in touch with the board at Board@ProjectSonrisa.com
After starting the first mental health committee at her secondary school, Olivia was in 2021 elected to the Scottish Youth Parliament as a member, and then later a trustee. She has spent the last two years of her life working with decision-makers to help them understand the link between good policy making and improving young people’s mental wellbeing. With extensive experience in campaigning and policy, she has spoke many times in parliament and with media outlets in an effort to make sure young people are properly involved in decision-making affecting them.
Crisantos has been a volunteer for his community for several years, working on issues that affect young people. From education and human rights, his experience in being part of numerous campaigning groups has helped him to obtain valuable and unique skills. He is experienced in working with a range of stakeholders such as decision-makers, educators, organisations and young people. His expertise is in diversity and inclusion issues, he leads on various Anti-racist programs. Crisantos is currently moving into 3rd year of university after his completion of an HND of Social Science at college.
Shafa Waqas is a young campaigner who advocates for inclusivity in every part of life. Her current focus is the inaccessibility and ableism that disabled people face on a daily basis. She is from Cumbernauld where she is studying in my last year of high school. She spends lots of her time volunteering for various charities and projects all across Scotland. In her free time she likes to spend time with friends and family and listen to music!
Marcus is a Politics and International Relations student at the University of Dundee and is a keen community campaigner. Since November 2021 he has been the MSYP for the constituency of Angus South and has recently joined the Board of the Scottish Youth Parliament. He has previously been a Young Advisor to the Children and Young People’s Commissioner and is passionate about protecting the rights of children and young people. Marcus is known for his enthusiasm for his home of Angus and for his work to improve local bus services in the county.