Benedicta Ademola
Benedicta is the founder of Benzone Development Foundation CIC, which aims to create safe, engaging, early-intervention opportunities to help children, young people, and families to build confidence, strengthen wellbeing, develop meaningful connections and discover their potential.
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Benedicta, who is a member of the USW Startup Stiwido in Treforest, recently completed Voices on Paper, a National Lottery-funded project, which saw young people in Rhondda Cynon Taf creating personal zines to reflect their individual voice and imagination. Benedicta led creative workshops, helping young people explore their experiences, strengths and aspirations.
Recently, Benzone took part in the Mastering Diversity Conference 2026, creating opportunities for conversations about inclusion, confidence and wellbeing. In September, it launched the second cohort of its Catch Them Young programme, with a free Create-Play-Lead Fun Day for local children and young people.
Benedicta said: “The Startup Stiwdio has been much more than a workspace for me. It has provided a supportive environment where I have been able to develop ideas, build confidence and turn Benzone’s vision into practical opportunities for children, young people, and families. The encouragement, connections and visibility provided by the Stiwdio have played an important part in helping both me and the organisation grow.”