Learn and Thrive is purpose-driven by a team of trustees and employees working tirelessly to make a difference.
Our core values are: Empowering, Improving, and Building Trust
Meet the team
Click on each photo to learn more about our incredible team.
Nikki Walker
Chair of Trustees
Clair Smith
Trustee
Kate Taylor
Trustee
Laura Powell
Digital Marketing Officer
Craig Mitchell
Partnerships & Funding Officer
Hannah Nickalls
Project Coordinator
Johanna Aiyathurai
CEO & Co-Founder
Maja Trninic
Trustee
Andrea Wilson
Trustee
Empowering, Improving, and Building Trust
Our Core Values in Action
At Learn & Thrive, our values are more than words—they are the guiding principles that shape every aspect of our work. As a purpose-driven, values-led charity, we are committed to empowering those we serve, continuously improving our impact, and building trust through openness. Here’s how we live these values every day.
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Empowering Everyone We Work With
Empowering individuals to realise their potential, shape their experiences, and thrive together
At Learn and Thrive, we believe in the power of empowerment. Every person we work with is unique, and we are dedicated to helping them discover and develop their potential. Whether it's fostering individual strengths, encouraging meaningful contributions, or creating a collaborative environment, we empower everyone—those with and without Down’s syndrome—to drive change and make a lasting impact. We work alongside our community, sharing knowledge and opportunities freely, ensuring that no one is left behind. -
Making Things Better
Striving for excellence through continuous improvement, problem-solving, and prioritising positive impact
We are passionate about making things better. Our approach is rooted in a commitment to continuous improvement, where we actively seek opportunities to learn, adapt, and innovate. Challenges are met with a proactive mindset as we work to find solutions that make a real difference in people’s lives. Our success is measured by the positive impact we have on individuals, families, and communities, and we hold ourselves accountable for making that impact tangible and meaningful. -
Building Trust through Openness
Fostering trust through honest communication, embracing vulnerability, and consistently doing the right thing
Trust is the foundation of our relationships, and we build it through openness. We communicate directly and candidly, ensuring clarity in all interactions. By embracing vulnerability—acknowledging our strengths and weaknesses, sharing our mistakes, and seeking help when needed—we create strong, trusting relationships. We are committed to doing the right thing, aligning our actions with our words, and holding ourselves accountable to the highest standards of integrity.
Our Journey
2020: Teach Me Too was created in response to the pandemic as part of the Kent-based charity 21 Together.
2021: Jo and Alex from 21 Together co-founded Learn and Thrive and took Teach Me Too under its umbrella.
2022: ‘Growing Up and Keeping Safe’, the first series in the Learning for Life project, was released.
2021: The project had been so well received and the team decided to increase availability across the UK and the world.
2023: Our member base was growing, and we expanded our team to help create great new content and share it with you.
Now: We have supported over 7500 children and young people across the world, and now have over 140 free videos to access.
Annual Reports
Here are the annual reports for Learn and Thrive since our inception in 2021. Please feel free to email the team with any questions.