Jamie Masraff

Jamie joined OnSide in March 2017 to work with business leaders, local Councils and community partners to create new Youth Zones across the country, including OnSide’s first three London Youth Zones.

Jamie grew up in Edinburgh. He is passionate about creating opportunities to level the playing field, which directly influenced his choice of degree (MPhil in International Development at Oxford University) and early career working with local Councils to deliver major projects including building new schools, libraries and other community facilities.

He caught the OnSide bug after he saw the positive impact Youth Zones have on young people in local communities and jumped at the chance to get involved in furthering OnSide’s mission for young people across the country. Jamie’s work takes him into Youth Zones across the country every week. He never fails to be impressed by the incredible passion of the amazing youth workers at Youth Zones. He also never misses a chance to test out the football pitches, climbing walls and table tennis tables. Outside of work he loves turning his hand to any sport although not with any degree of skill. He lives in London, near his beloved Emirates, with his wife Naz and two daughters.

What inspired you to join OnSide?

I’ve always wanted to work somewhere that levelled up the playing field and had a positive impact on society. When I heard about OnSide and the ambition to support young people at scale across the whole of the UK, I knew I had to be part of it.

What’s been a memorable moment you’ve had working with the team?

Many moments but, if I had to choose, it would be opening WEST Youth Zone in White City as it was the first opening that I had been part of from start to finish, and the bumps on the road to opening made the day even more special.

What was the first Youth Zone you visited and what did you think?

I visited Wigan Youth Zone when I first heard about OnSide. I remember walking around and being blown away by the quality of the facilities, but even more so by the impact I could see the team was having on young people.

What would be your go-to Youth Zone room and why?

Definitely the climbing wall. I love climbing inside and outside Youth Zones as you can always test yourself to go that bit further, and when you’re climbing you can’t think about anything else.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself

My accent sounds like I come from the West Country but I’ve never actually lived there and it’s more likely the result of my Scottish/Armenian/Canadian heritage.