Tim Mann MBE is a passionate Breck Foundation public speaker and facilitator, championing online safety and guiding young people, parents, families, and professionals towards making informed, positive choices. Through Breck’s Story, he raises awareness, offers support, and highlights the importance of trusted adult help. 

​

After a 31-year policing career in London, Tim took up a new post as safeguarding training & partnerships lead for a national youth organisation in the UK. He is a committed & enthusiastic advocate for young people and youth opportunity, actively involved in schools and community outreach projects with three UK-based charities, focusing on youth safeguarding and gang diversion. 

Tim was very proud to be awarded an MBE in 2022 for Services to Young People, in HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Birthday Honours. He is also a volunteer youth leader with London Fire Brigade Cadets and volunteers with London’s Air Ambulance charity as a community speaker and fundraiser. 

Emily Cherry

Richard Cox has worked with the Breck Foundation since 2022.  He decided to join the Breck Foundation when, following a visit by Breck to his school, he saw the incredibly positive impact Breck’s story had on his students.  He recognises the difficulties faced by young people in today’s digital world and is committed to helping them navigate it.  As a teacher, Richard is used to engaging with pupils, parents and staff in a way that brings home to his audience the Breck Foundation message of staying safe and smart online.

Emily Cherry

Marcia Taylor has been a speaker at Breck Foundation since 2023.  A retired Deputy Headteacher/Designated Safeguarding Lead with a passion for children’s safety. Responsibility for safeguarding and child protection systems across the school, including online safety and staff training. Over 25 years’ experience as a primary school teacher, working in a range of schools across London. Her engaging presentations have been impactful with excellent feedback received.

Emily Cherry

Nik has worked in secondary education for over 27 years, as a teacher and Head of Performing Arts as well as Head of Key Stage 3. His significant experience in working with children and young people in a variety of contexts and settings, has seen him transfer this experience to working with the Breck Foundation, as well as other organisations and charities. 

His talks in schools have seen Nik receive significant feedback on his delivery and pitch, proving that he is an effective speaker and fully capable of delivering the message in the manner intended. ‘Nik's delivery and presentation gave weight and significance to a serious topic and the pupils listened intently and respectfully to what he had to say’. 

​

‘The workshop was brilliant for our children. Nik was able to relate to our children and engage them through his calm and approachable style.’ 

Nik lives in Wiltshire, with his wife, three grown up boys (at college and university), two cats and the family dog! He’s spent a large part of the last 12 years renovating the family home, and now in his spare time, he enjoys live gigs, theatre; watching football and walking said dog in many of the stunning places the west country has to offer. He also enjoys travelling and has travelled extensively around Europe. 

Emily Cherry

As a passionate linguist and 12 years’ experience teaching Spanish and German in secondary schools in Derbyshire, where she organised many trips and exchanges abroad, Jo understands the vital importance of assessing risk and keeping children safe both in real life and online.  

Jo has now continued her career in her current role working within Higher Education as an Engagement Manager in the South Yorkshire UniConnect programme, HeppSY. Here, she is fortunate enough to work within widening participation; helping students who may traditionally face more barriers when progressing to higher education. Being first generation herself, this is something Jo strongly believes in and where she also acts as Designated Safeguarding Lead for her team.  

In January 2022, Jo also qualified as a Life Coach, which she feels gives her more potential to help students face their fears, recognise their inner potential, and find their voice as a part time Freelance Facilitator and Coach for various charities including the amazing Breck Foundation. 

Emily Cherry

Sidrah has been a speaker at Breck Foundation since 2023. With a background in teaching and extensive experience working with looked-after children, Sidrah has witnessed firsthand the importance of safeguarding vulnerable young people in an increasingly digital world. As a mother to two young boys, her commitment to raising awareness around online safety is both professional and deeply personal. 

Sidrah's hope is to empower young people, parents, and professionals with the knowledge and confidence to navigate the digital world safely and confidently, helping to build a future where every child can thrive without fear.

Emily Cherry

The tragic story of Breck Bednar was seen by Matthew in 2016 whilst he was dealing with many young people who had been groomed and/or exploited. When the opportunity arose in 2023 to join the Foundation, he jumped at the chance to be part of delivering this vital message to young people around the country and being part of a magnificent team! 

​

Matthew joined the Breck Foundation after a career of 20 years+ experience in policing. His main passion is working in intervention and crime prevention with vast experiences including a secondment to The Princes Trust, ASB lead, managing multi-agency panels for youth violence and diversion, working with external stakeholders, numerous youth intervention projects, pan-London crime prevention, Trident gangs command, design and delivery of exploitation awareness sessions within educational settings, modern slavery & human trafficking, and CT national policing HQ. 

​

Matthew has a solid understanding of dealing with young people who need safeguarding by actively listening to the needs of individuals, mentoring and/or signposting for relevant support. He also worked in education teaching music from early years to secondary school and in a children’s care home. Matthew currently works as an intervention provider within the Prevent program, liaising with individuals identified as susceptible to extremism and/or radicalisation, who have neurodivergence and strong ideological views. 

Emily Cherry

Lesley Wilsdon spent the first 25 years of her career in the media industry, however following the arrival of her 3 daughters, decided she a complete career change was needed.  For the next 12 years, Lesley worked as a Special Needs Assistant, a Learning Mentor and then became an English teacher; specialising in working with children with SEND and BESD.   In 2022, Lesley moved into the world of educational training/presenting for charitable organisations - and in 2024 she started representing the Breck Foundation.  Lesley regularly receives great feedback, and students and school staff often mention how kind and approachable she is - and how she adapts her delivery style to fit the audience.     

Emily Cherry

Gemma covers Cheshire and the surrounding areas for the Breck Foundation. With a background in both education and law, she brings a wealth of experience to her role, supporting the Foundation’s mission to promote online safety and empower young people to make safer choices online. 

Emily Cherry

Sophie Gardiner has been a speaker at Breck Foundation since 2024 and is passionate about educating children in how to stay safe online. Sophie is an experienced primary teacher having taught across all ages within key stage 2 for 13 years. Her wealth of experience within education makes her sessions engaging and informative. In her spare time, Sophie is kept busy with her two children and enjoys running and dogs walks in the Norfolk countryside where she lives.

Emily Cherry

Emily Barrett has been a speaker with the Breck Foundation since 2024, bringing a warm, people-focused approach to online safety education. With a background in higher education and a passion for facilitation, she creates inclusive, engaging spaces where students feel empowered to speak up and stay safe online. As an accredited facilitator and coach, Emily connects with young people in a way that’s both authentic and accessible. Having grown up with parents in policing and teaching, she’s passionate about playing her part in keeping communities safe - both online and off. 

Emily Cherry