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United Kingdom Ashley-John Baptiste is a BBC broadcast journalist and presenter who advocates for children in the care system.
Ashley John-Baptiste, a BBC broadcast journalist and presenter with care experience, was interviewed by freelance journalist Richard Baynes for REACH, an initiative focused on support and development.
Ashley John-Baptiste is a member of the John Lewis Partnership's Building Happier Futures advisory group, which focuses on supporting care-experienced people with practical assistance.
Ashley John-Baptiste was named the first ambassador for the Royal Television Society (RTS) bursary schemes, which provide support to individuals studying broadcasting and entertainment.
Ashley John-Baptiste serves as an ambassador for The Fostering Network, a charity dedicated to supporting fostering. (Citation needed on Wikipedia)
Ashley John-Baptiste founded 'Be Inspired,' an organization that works in collaboration with Southwark Council and Care Leaver Covenant. Its aim is to connect care-experienced young people and help them achieve their aspirations.
Born in 1990 in Southwark, London, Ashley-John Baptiste spent his childhood from the age of two until eighteen in foster care and a residential care home. He attended Bacon’s College, a comprehensive school in Rotherhithe. Despite early behavioral challenges and multiple suspensions, an opportunity to visit a summer school at Cambridge University through the Sutton Trust became a turning point. This experience led him to understand his potential and in 2008, with the encouragement of his foster parents and local MP, he secured a place at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge. He graduated in 2011 with an upper second in History. During his time at Cambridge, he also mentored other students from similar backgrounds, demonstrating an early commitment to supporting young people.
His career path took an unexpected turn when, after graduating, he participated in ITV’s X Factor in 2011 as part of the band The Risk. He left the competition to pursue a career in media, subsequently joining the BBC creative access scheme. In 2012, he presented the BBC Three documentary ‘Care Home Kids: Looking For Love.’ This marked the beginning of his broadcast journalism career, where he focused on impactful storytelling. Over the years, he has contributed to various BBC programs, including ‘The One Show,’ ‘BBC News,’ and ‘For Love or Money.’ His work often highlights issues related to the care system, children’s welfare, and social justice. He became the first ambassador for the Royal Television Society (RTS) bursary schemes in 2020, supporting students entering broadcasting.
In 2022, Ashley-John Baptiste presented ‘Split Up in Care: Life without Siblings,’ a documentary that explored the separation of siblings within the UK care system. This project stemmed from his personal experience, having discovered in his mid-20s that he had half-brothers, despite being told he was an only child. He actively campaigns for changes in fostering laws. Throughout his career, he has consistently used his platform to shed light on marginalized communities and advocate for positive change, earning an RTS Young Talent Of The Year Award nomination in 2018. He is also the founder of Be Inspired, an organization supporting care-experienced young people.
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