Joan Simms is founder and CEO of Uptown Youth Services. She has been an integral part of Uptown for over 20 years, leading the organisation with unwavering dedication and a deep commitment to empowering young people. Joan brings broad experience and knowledge: operational and strategic management and service delivery. She has extensive local government and Voluntary/Third sector experience as an officer, face-to-face youth work and Lead Accreditation Manager.

Throughout her long tenure, Joan has focused on mentoring, providing positive role models, and creating a safe space for young people to thrive. Joan is passionate that young people have access to opportunities which maximise their life chances irrespective of their background; Joan’s ability to connect with young people and their families has made her a trusted figure in the community. She works tirelessly to ensure that Uptown provides a supportive and inspiring environment where young people can develop their social skills, stay in school, and make better life choices. Joan’s dedication to the cause is truly inspiring, and her long service has left a lasting impact on the lives of countless young people.