Meet our team!
The driving forces behind DESCENDANTS, meet the dynamic and dedicated ladies that make it all happen:
Management Committee Members
Margaret Noel
Founder, Co-ordinator and Volunteer Management

Pamela Masha
Descendants Chair, Trustee
As a Nigerian-British child growing up in Acton, I attended Descendents with my siblings. My parents found it to be an educational, fun and safe environment to be with children from like minded families and I believe that Descendants has successfully maintained that positive reputation, hence my involvement today.
As part of the committee, I work with a group of dedicated, intelligent and funny women which, for me, is truly inspiring. They bring a world of knowledge and skills to Descendants with create the leadership and richness needed to such a wonderful group.
What I love most about Descendants are the people, the culture, the support network and the opportunities which the charity have been able to give to both children and their parents/guardians – it’s beautiful. Film-making, art exhibitions, book-writing, performing, sewing, sports, educational trips, dance workshops, presentations, prestigious award ceremonies – they’ve done it all.
Outside of helping at Descendants, I work for a another youth charity and am active in my church. In 2014 I volunteered in Rwanda which Descendants were really supportive of. I like to hold up standards for justice and equality and want to help make a positive impact in my committe, the very similar ideals to Descendants.
Elaine Beresford
Descendants Trustee
Nivene Powell
Descendants Trustee
Celestina Uzoka
Founder Member, Descendants Trustee
Patricia Joseph
Descendants Management Committee Member
Co-Opted Members
Vanessa Hyman
Founder/ Owner ‘A Mothers Teardrops’ and ‘Pride In Our People’, Community Champion Winner 2012
I am a mother and volunteer with Descendants and Youth Street Beats (YSB) over a number of years.
I currently have an organisation called ‘A Mothers Teardrops’ which I set up after my eldest son Anton Hyman (aged 17) was brutally murdered in 2004.
Since establishing the organisation, I have worked closely with the police, going into schools, community centres and prison’s giving talks and running workshops in an aid to raise awareness and looking at solutions on how to combat this growing epidemic that is taking young lives and destroying communities. I have organised marches to not only gain answers to get justice for my son’s death but also against serious violent crime of any nature.
Both my daughter and son attend Descendants and YSB
Collette Noel
Founder Member Descendants, Founder Youth Street Beats – YSB Arts
I set up Youth Street Beats (YSB) in July 2002 to work with disadvantaged children and young people living in the London Borough of Ealing and surrounding areas.
I’m a BA Hon’s graduate in media & drama and have 23 years experience working with young people in the UK and abroad.
Our aim is to engage children in performing arts activities to ultimately enhance their personal, education and social abilities.