Carla joined the Mental Health Mission in April 2024, bringing extensive experience in working with children and young people across a variety of youth and community & educational settings. From beginning as a Youth Worker at Barnardo’s, where she worked as a Development Worker in Youth Arts, to various Voice Development and Participation roles in the Youth Service and Children First. In recent years, Carla has focused on mental health, serving as a mental health mentor and pastoral tutor, specialising in addressing the needs of young people.

Carla has also worked to bridge the gap between education, health, and social care during her time as an Outreach and Engagement Officer with Healthwatch Warwickshire. In this role, she facilitated important conversations within the Integrated Care System (ICS) to emphasise the need to work collaboratively across sectors when tackling mental health, whilst also recognising and implementing youth voice into the process.

At the Midlands Translational Centre, Carla is eager to apply her knowledge and passion for working with young people while also amplifying the voices of marginalized communities. She looks forward to engaging with communities, listening to young people’s experiences, and driving positive change across the Midlands.