Speak Up Now UK
Welcome
Speak Up Now UK is a Community Interest Company (CIC) committed to amplifying underrepresented and marginalised voices within the Public and Emergency Services. We believe that true equity, safety, and accountability in these sectors can only be achieved when the people within them — particularly those from diverse, minoritized, and historically silenced backgrounds — are empowered to speak up and be heard.
​
Public and Emergency Services are built on the principle of serving and protecting the public — but those working within them are not always protected themselves. Speak Up Now UK was created by people with lived experience of these systems and is driven by a commitment to justice, dignity, and systemic change.
We are here to break the silence, shift the culture, and build safer futures — together.
Our Mission
We exist to platform those whose experiences are too often overlooked — from frontline workers to service users — creating space for truth-telling, accountability, and change. Whether it’s racism, misogyny, ableism, or workplace toxicity, we support those affected to challenge systemic issues and foster safer, more inclusive environments.
We provide a safe and structured space for individuals in the Public and Emergency Services to share their lived experiences, anonymously or publicly, through storytelling, forums, and campaigns.
​​
We work with employers and organisations to deliver bespoke training and workshops that tackle discrimination, improve workplace culture, and empower staff to speak up confidently and safely.
Topics include:​
-
Whistleblowing & safe reporting mechanisms
-
Anti-racism and inclusive leadership
-
Trauma-informed practice
-
Bystander intervention
What We Do
Coming soon..
Whistleblower Support Grants
Financial support tailored to the individual needs of Whistleblowers who may face job loss or income insecurity. No one should be silenced by fear of financial hardship.
Therapy & Counselling Services
Access to trauma-informed therapists and mental health professionals who understand the unique pressures of whistleblowing and emergency services work.
In-House Legal Advisors
Clear, accessible legal guidance to help you understand your rights and navigate your options — without intimidation or confusion.
Dedicated Case Workers
Each individual will be assigned a personal case worker — your single point of contact to coordinate services, provide emotional support, and walk with you through every step of your journey.
​
Our goal is to become a one-stop hub for whistleblowers and frontline staff — removing barriers, reducing overwhelm, and ensuring you’re never alone in speaking up.
Founder &
Managing Director
Issy Vine is a freelance writer, advocate, and whistleblower dedicated to challenging systemic injustice and amplifying the voices of those who dare to speak out. Her work centers on exposing misconduct, particularly within public institutions, and empowering individuals to reclaim their narratives.
​
In April 2023, while working as a 999 call handler for the Metropolitan Police, Issy experienced firsthand the toxic culture and misogyny that pervaded the organization. This pivotal moment propelled her into activism, leading her to file a legal case against the Met Police—a bold move that has garnered national attention and sparked critical conversations about accountability in public services.
​​Through her platform, Issy shares her journey and insights on whistleblowing, mental health, and resilience. Her blog, "A Can of Worms," offers a candid look into the complexities of standing up to wrongdoing, while her initiative, Speak Up Now UK, provides a safe space for public service employees to share their experiences anonymously.
​
Issy has contributed to publications such as The Independent, Private Eye and The Anti-Misogyny Club Journal, and she continues to advocate for systemic change through writing, speaking engagements, and community-building efforts.
​
Her work is a testament to the power of individual courage in the face of institutional resistance, and she remains steadfast in her mission to foster a more just and accountable society.
%20(1).jpg)
Janeen
Strategic Lead/Director of Wellbeing​/Designated Safeguarding Lead
​
Janeen is a Mental Health and Safeguarding and Child Protection professional, who is passionate about improving the mental health and wellbeing of others.
She has worked in Social Care and Education for 25 years and still enjoys every challenge that comes with her work.
Janeen prides herself on working in a trauma informed way and takes anti discriminatory approach when supporting clients.
Janeen enjoys creative arts and indulges in creative writing, painting and podcasting in her spare time.
Sofia
SUNlight Champion
Sofia is in her 30s, from the South of England. She is a creative story teller and loves expressing herself through photography, short films and sharing lived experiences.
Lekesha
Director of Operations
​
Lekesha has worked in the housing department of a local authority for 13 years and is extremely passionate about rectifying social injustice. She has a background of helping survivors of domestic abuse, having experienced this herself and working with vulnerable people in her role within a local authority. Lekesha loves to sing, write music and is her own biggest advocate. She hopes to help others to advocate for themselves as she does for herself.
Oluwaseun
SUNlight Champion
​Oluwaseun is a Nigerian-British family lawyer, Franco-British local leader, UN contributor, and a strong advocate for gender and disability rights.