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TS Champions - Class of 2024
We are thrilled to introduce our Class of '24 TS Champions!
The Tourettes Action TS Champion programme brings together young people to advocate for and talk about TS and Tic Disorders in their local community and before their peers at school and clubs.
Following a thorough application process, including creating a short video explaining why they want to become a TS Champion, we are pleased to present our 5 new ambassadors.
Our TS Champions will hold post for 1 year during 2024 and have been tasked with the following 12 month objectives:
- Write a blog for the TA website
- Distribute 10 packs of awareness leaflets in their local area
- Deliver at least one presentation to a local school/college/workplace
- Organise one fundraising activity
- Actively promote Tourette's Awareness Month
Meet our TS Champions
We asked our Champions to answer a few questions about themselves to find out a bit more about what makes them 'tic':
Pip Ballam
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My favourite hobbies are: My favourite hobbies include playing guitar, ukulele and piano, singing, crochet, photography, enjoying cuddles with my cats and guinea pigs and training my 2 dogs. For fun I like to: I love to go on new walks in nature with my dogs and family and enjoy running too. I also really enjoy doing debating and public speaking competitions and events as well as spending time with my friends and family. What makes me unique is: I think my unique qualities are my passion to educate people on Tourette’s and it’s co-morbid conditions and my empathy towards others struggling with their disabilities. |
Maya Field-Cross
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My favourite hobbies are: All forms of art (I draw every day), creative arts, playing my Bass and ukulele, learning guitar. For fun I like to: Draw and paint. Talk to my friends on my phone and play Minecraft with them. Play my Bass. What makes me unique is: I'm a 5ft 2ins strawberry blonde 15 year old girl who constantly gets mistaken for a 12 year old boy! My Mum and brother also have Tourette's and so did my Grandpops (undiagnosed but the Consultant said it sounds like he had it). I think that makes us a very unique family. |
Rayne Huggins
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My favourite hobbies are: Tarot card readings, roller blading, going to concerts, crocheting. For fun I like to:
I love volunteering at a mental health cafe near where i work. I also love spreading awareness for TS around college, in the workplace and online. In my college I have gone round at least 10 classrooms and provided an hour long presentation about TS, the stigma of it and even included a Tourette’s simulation. I have also presented at work and the video of my presentation has been posted on their page. What makes me unique is: That I do not see Tourette’s as an entirely negative thing. I try to have a positive outlook, as it has provided me with so many new opportunities than what I would have had without it. I do have difficult moments especially during tic attacks which are very loud and violent so when I have one, it’s difficult to remain positive. In those moments I do wish my Tourette’s away, however since that’s not going to happen I try to remain positive about it overall. |
Scarlet Jones
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My favourite hobbies are: Crochet, roller skating, listening to music. For fun I like to: Go out with my friends and challenge myself, e.g. a lot of escape rooms; watch doctor who. What makes me unique is: I struggled with this question, however my friends said that what makes me unique is my ability to give negative situations a positive outlook. |
River Whybrow
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My favourite hobbies are: Football, writing, swimming, boxing, playing my piano and listening to music For fun I like to:
Play football, spend time with my family especially my sister, read textbooks :), teach other people about Tourette’s and autism What makes me unique is:
The course my life has taken, especially over the last few years in terms of being diagnosed with several neurological and mental health conditions, and coping with Tourette’s in a psychiatric unit, being transgender and just learning to accept myself and teach others. |
We look forward to sharing what our Champions get up to over the next 12 months.
For more information about the TS Champions Programme, please email us.
