Meet the AYJ Board: Hannah Couchman
Get to know one of our newest Board Members - Hannah Couchman, Barrister at Rights of Women.
“Aside from being an AYJ Board Member, I…
Am a barrister at an organisation called Rights of Women and a trustee at my local Citizens Advice Bureau in Manchester, a charity that gives free advice to people who need support. I have a background in children’s rights and I’m committed to empowering young people to make change.”
“Being an AYJ Board Member means…
Having the opportunity to work with and learn from an incredible team, including inspiring young people, and supporting the essential work carried out by the AYJ. I hope to do this by asking questions, sharing ideas, and addressing my privilege/complicity in systems which exacerbate the inequalities that lead to young people coming into contact with the justice system.”
“I joined the fight for youth justice because…
The system is failing young people. We need to tackle the embedded racism in policing and approaches to criminal justice and push for radical change.”
“In the next 5 years, I hope to see…
Fewer and fewer young people in custody, with progress towards more radical goals. For example, questioning whether policing and prisons really create a safer society and if there are better ways of responding to harm.”
“To me, youth justice means…
Changing society to better accommodate the needs of all young people. Youth justice shouldn’t be something done to young people – the onus is on all of us to create a more just society.”
“One thing we can learn from children and young people is…
Resilience – not giving up in the face of obstacles or push-backs.”
“For children and young people, I hope for a future where…
They can participate in a more democratic, less pressured education system – guided by young people with no exclusions and no pipeline to custody – with the time and opportunity to play and relax.”
“Dear my younger self…
You don’t have to know what you want to do with your life yet!”
Keep up to date with Hannah’s work…
Twitter – @Hannah_Couchman