Member Spotlight: Gilly Samuddin, Ablaze

I stepped into the role of CEO at Ablaze September 2025, having first joined as Project Manager on our Reading & Number Partners programme in 2022. It's been the best and most exciting first year as CEO, building on the incredible foundations established over the past two decades.

I am responsible for shaping our strategic direction, raising the profile of Ablaze, developing partnerships with businesses and schools and supporting our fantastic team to deliver our programmes. As a small charity, I take a hands-on approach and remain closely involved in programme delivery which is one of my favourite parts of the role!

As a former primary school teacher, I know the importance of early intervention and positive role models. I am passionate about helping young people build confidence and aspirations and love working with our volunteers and business partners to create meaningful opportunities that make a lasting difference.

A typical day is hard to describe, but much of my time is spent supporting our brilliant team, promoting our programmes and building relationships with business partners and volunteers. Alongside this, I deliver workshops on our employment and skills programme for NEET young people, hold mentor training, attend networking events, host roundtables and Lunch and Learn sessions and identify new opportunities to help Ablaze grow its impact across the region.

Ablaze is an independent charity that aims to tackle inequality of opportunity for young people across the West of England. We are a bridge between businesses and schools, providing meaningful volunteering opportunities that raise aspirations, confidence and skills for young people. Our programmes include 1:1 reading and numeracy support in primary schools, career mentoring and insight sessions for secondary school pupils and employability and skills workshops for young people not in education, employment or training (NEET).  

I love working for Ablaze because I see first-hand the difference our programmes make and the incredible people who make this possible. I love meeting and connecting with people, so a real highlight of my role is getting out and about, attending events and hearing how and supporting organisations want to support their local community.

What makes Ablaze special is the passion, experience and commitment of our team. We are an independent charity, so are able to be responsive and tailor our programmes to the needs and interests of both the businesses and young people we work with. I love being part of a team where everyone is invested in the work we do and can see the difference we are making. The in-person nature of our programmes is also incredibly important, in an increasingly digital world, we create opportunities for volunteers and young people to build genuine relationships, learn from one another and these personal connections are what make the experiences so rewarding.

Ablaze has been a member of the Bristol Initiative for many years because its focus on bringing people and organisations together to create a stronger future for our region aligns closely with our own mission. As a charity that builds connections between schools, business and young people, we know that tackling inequality of opportunity requires collaboration. Bristol Initiative provides a valuable opportunity to work alongside like-minded organisations that share our ambition to ensure every young person in Bristol has the confidence, skills and opportunities to succeed. 

I also value the opportunities to meet and learn from other members at Bristol Initiative events. One recent highlight was the Bristol Zoo Project Business Breakfast, where I had brilliant conversations with other members about the challenges and opportunities facing young people in our city. 

I'm particularly interested in conversations around skills and social mobility. Bristol is a thriving and diverse city with so much talent and opportunity, but not every young person has the same access to it. 

Through my work at Ablaze, I see how powerful it can be when businesses and volunteers share their time, experience and encouragement with young people. I would love to see even more organisations get involved and help inspire the next generation, whether that's through mentoring, careers activities, literacy support or hosting work placements. Even a small contribution can have a lasting impact on a young person's confidence and future aspirations.