Apart of Me CEO, Louis Weinstock, passes the baton

After co-founding and leading our charity, our inspiring leader Louis Weinstock will be stepping back as CEO, passing the baton to Justina Forristal.

Louis is an incredible force in the world of mental health and, through Apart of Me, has pioneered blending design with world-leading clinical expertise to help young people cope with loss and trauma. We’ll be forever grateful for the impact he’s had, and he’ll continue to support our clinical team and be an ambassador for Apart of Me.

Hear in Louis's own words his parting message...

"So this is a bit of an emotional one, but after almost 10 years pouring my heart and soul into Apart of Me today I am stepping back as CEO and passing the baton to the wonderful Justina Forristal. She has such wisdom, compassion, and leadership, and I know the charity is in excellent hands—supported by our amazing board and superstar team.

The seed idea for Apart of Me landed while I was working at St Joseph's Hospice in Hackney in a psychology team. I remember visiting a 15-year-old boy whose dad had died from pancreatic cancer. He was a street kid with a tough veneer, but as I edged tentatively to the chat about his dad not being there anymore, he burst into tears. That moment was so moving. It lit a spark in me.

At the Hospice, I saw how damaging it can be for a teenager to lose a parent, especially if they don’t have the right support. I met kids who seemed to be doing okay, and then they lost their mum or dad and their world fell apart. Some joined gangs, some turned to drugs, some were kicked out of school. It was heartbreaking to witness.

So, together with my amazing co-founder Ben Page and through co-design sessions with young people, Apart of Me was born. We made the world's first grief game, because thats what the young people asked for. They didn't want 'boring therapy.' A boy named Charlie imagined a magical island, peaceful and calming, and that’s exactly what we built.

We launched the game in 2018 and since then it has reached more than 168,00 people in over 50 countries, been shortlisted for a BAFTA, and continually receives amazing feedback—like this 14-year-old girl whose mum died of cancer: 'When you’re a kid and you lose a parent there aren’t many people around you who understand what you’re going through. Apart of Me really helped me.'

Beyond the game, we responded to the war in Ukraine by building the Nadiya app for families affected by the trauma. And we created a Guides Programme to train young people as peer mentors and co-designers. In one pilot school, two school refusers started attending school again because, in their own words, the Guides Programme helped them feel safe. Just yesterday, I had a call with one of our young Guides, and we both shed tears as he said he didn’t know where he would be without the charity.

He told me, 'You helped me turn my grief into something useful.' That sentiment is really the heart of Apart of Me.

I’m stepping back as CEO, but will continue serving as an ambassador, supporting our clinical team. I’m profoundly grateful to everyone who has believed in this mission: our volunteers, donors, partners, ambassadors—and above all, the young people who have shared their broken-open hearts with us. As Joanna Macy says, the heart that breaks open can contain the whole universe.

Please keep cheering for Apart of Me as I will. So many young people around the world are still in their darkest moments, needing the kind of help Apart of Me can offer."

Our charity extends a big warm welcome to Justina who brings brilliant expertise especially in fundraising strategy, combined with compassion and empathy.

Thank you for all you’ve done for us Louis, and looking forward to our next chapter Justina! Our mission to help young people everywhere feel less alone when their world is turned upside down remains strong. If you'd like to support us, please donate here.