Via one of ELBA’s Business Planning Workshops Will Harrison, Investment Banking Technology at UBS, was introduced to Ahmad Jooma, Creative Director of Connection Over Control (and founder of Shookman). The pair were partnered up and have been working together since then. Here we catch up with Will and Ahmad to hear about their respective experiences of this partnership:

WILL HARRISON, INVESTMENT BANKING TECHNOLOGY, UBS
Will Harrison works in Investment Banking Technology at UBS. Will met Ahmad at an Evolve activity early in 2023 and the two of them have been working together ever since.

Why do you volunteer?
Volunteering contributes to my sense of purpose. Once I realised that my skills would be valued outside of my workplace, I sought out voluntary opportunities in the charity sector through the Community Impact programme at my employer, UBS and haven’t looked back. Volunteering is tremendously rewarding and is now a core element of how I spend my time, along with family, work and hobbies. I also want to set an example to my children of social responsibility and giving back to the community.

What have you gained from your volunteering experience?
I was introduced to Ahmad Jooma at an ELBA event for employees of large corporates to help fledgling charities develop their business plans. Ahmad is the founder of Shook Man, a charity which aims to promote emotional wellbeing in young people through artwork-based workshops. Since the ELBA session early in 2023, I have been advising Ahmad on product development, marketing, outreach and administration. He is really creative and passionate about emotional wellbeing. It’s such a pleasure to see his ideas transform into a tangible product. After a lot of hard work on his part, in October 2023 he brought Shook Man to school communities local to him in East London. The positive feedback he’s had from students, teachers and parents has validated the concept he has developed and galvanised him to push forward. I look forward to our weekly catch-ups and hearing about his progress. I’ve gained an enormous amount by having the opportunity to apply my skillset to a totally different setting. The corporate environment can be a “bubble” and we sometimes forget that our skills are not only valued, but needed in other sectors. It is tremendously rewarding to have an opportunity to make an impact where it really matters, and I’m grateful for the time off to do this from UBS and to ELBA for making it happen by bringing charities and corporate employees together.

Would you recommend volunteering to a colleague and, if so, why?
I would absolutely recommend volunteering to my colleagues. It’s rewarding in so many ways. Aside from the sense of fulfilment that comes with having a positive impact on others, it’s also a development opportunity and a great way to grow your network. It can also be a lot of fun. It’s understandable if colleagues aren’t sure in what way they can contribute, or how much time they can give – I felt the same. But by dipping your toes in by attending sessions such as those run by ELBA, you will start to see how you can fit in and make a difference.

AHMAD JOOMA, CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF CONNECTION OVER CONTROL AND SHOOKMAN

Ahmad Jooma is Creative Director of Connection Over Control, an organisation that helps develop emotional resilience in children through workshops featuring Shook Man®, a comic book character that Ahmad created himself to initiate discussions about feelings.

What are the challenges your service users face, and how does your organisation help users overcome them?
Today’s children confront the adverse effects of the pandemic, social media, global conflict, bullying, the escalating cost of living, and more. These factors place an increasing demand on children’s capacity to cope with fear, stress, and anxiety.

Encountering mental health challenges at an early age can lead to a decline in a child’s future health, happiness, and job prospects. Such challenges also correlate with an increased need for medical support and public funding as children transition into adulthood (Reference: Future In Mind, a report by NHS England).

In ‘Shook Man’ workshops, children cultivate ‘bounce-back-ability.’ Through art and play, they learn how emotions influence their ability to pursue meaningful goals. The key lies in making fear visible. When children can see fear, it becomes less intimidating, enabling them to reclaim their power!

How did you meet your partner, and what have you gained from your working relationship with him?
The support received from ELBA significantly bolstered my confidence.

In April 2023, I participated in ELBA’s business planning sessions, where I presented the Shook Man concept to corporate volunteers from UBS, Société Générale, and Linklaters. Despite initial nervousness about presenting to esteemed professionals, they proved friendly, and my anxiety turned to delight when they acknowledged the viability of my concept.

The corporate volunteers assisted in refining my organisational goals and business plan. Following the sessions, Will Harrison from UBS, inspired by my vision, offered continued support.

Will has become an invaluable ally, helping transform Shook Man Workshops from a concept into a professional offering. He serves as a sounding board for my ideas, aids in decision-making on next steps, and contributes his knowledge to overcome challenges.

Since collaborating with Will, I have revamped my branding and social media focus, established a community interest company, and implemented a marketing plan. These efforts resulted in securing and delivering my first series of paid school workshops. I now have other schools expressing interest in Shook Man workshops, with plans to reach more schools in 2024.

Do you have an inspirational story/moment about your work that you would like to share?
A cherished moment and personal achievement was being invited to address 540 schoolchildren on overcoming their fears. This was a significant honour, followed by the surprise of children calling out ‘Shook Man’ as I walked through the school.

What kind of support are you in need of right now and how might volunteering fit into that?
I foresee the need for support to sustainably grow and scale workshop delivery, positively impacting more children’s lives. ELBA would be highly beneficial in providing expertise to achieve growth not otherwise available at this early stage of my journey. Thank you, ELBA, for your ongoing support in enabling Shook Man to reach more children with Emotional Resilience Workshops.