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Meet the Pop'n'Olly Team
Olly Pike (He/Him)
- Director & CEU (Chief Executive Unicorn)
Olly Pike is the creator of Pop'n'Olly Ltd. He writes the stories, draws the pictures, animates the videos and even stars in them! Using skills learnt from his theatrical, and children’s television, background Olly creates inclusive content that is fun and informative.
Olly is a regular LGBT+ education panellist and media guest and his work has been highly praised and shared amongst the LGBT+ and inclusive education community. Countless schools, charities, organisations and companies regularly use Olly's content as part of their LGBT+ inclusive practice.
Having been short-listed for a ‘National Diversity’, 'Gay Times Honours’ and 'British LGBT' award, Olly has also spoken in Parliament and London City Hall and has showcased his work at events such as 'The Children's Media Conference', 'Stonewall‘s Education For All Conference' and 'The NEU LGBT+ Educators Conference’.
In 2020 Olly made the UK‘s Pride Power List and in 2021 Olly was awarded an Attitude Pride Award.
Olly has also created content for CBeebies, Tate Kids, Hopster TV and collaborated with numerous UK charities.
To date, Olly has distributed over 30,000 copies of his LGBT+ and equality inclusive books to children, parents and teachers around the world and the Pop’n’Olly YouTube channel continues to receive millions of views.
Olly Pike is the creator of Pop'n'Olly Ltd. He writes the stories, draws the pictures, animates the videos and even stars in them! Using skills learnt from his theatrical, and children’s television, background Olly creates inclusive content that is fun and informative.
Olly is a regular LGBT+ education panellist and media guest and his work has been highly praised and shared amongst the LGBT+ and inclusive education community. Countless schools, charities, organisations and companies regularly use Olly's content as part of their LGBT+ inclusive practice.
Having been short-listed for a ‘National Diversity’, 'Gay Times Honours’ and 'British LGBT' award, Olly has also spoken in Parliament and London City Hall and has showcased his work at events such as 'The Children's Media Conference', 'Stonewall‘s Education For All Conference' and 'The NEU LGBT+ Educators Conference’.
In 2020 Olly made the UK‘s Pride Power List and in 2021 Olly was awarded an Attitude Pride Award.
Olly has also created content for CBeebies, Tate Kids, Hopster TV and collaborated with numerous UK charities.
To date, Olly has distributed over 30,000 copies of his LGBT+ and equality inclusive books to children, parents and teachers around the world and the Pop’n’Olly YouTube channel continues to receive millions of views.
Jack Lynch (They/Them)
- Workshops & Training Lead and Head of PR
Jack has worked with children and young people, in both sport and education settings, throughout their career. They have worked with schools and educators across the UK to support them in creating more LGBT+ inclusive environments as well as having presented to over 100,000 primary age children via school workshops.
Jack is also a regular speaker and panelist, taking to the stage at the likes of the NEU LGBT+ Educators Conference, The Free & Equal Conference and, most recently, having their writing in the Metro newspaper about their personal journey and work with young people.
"Let's educate IN diversity and OUT educate prejudice. Let's make it our generation's legacy promoting and teaching acceptance, understanding and joy. That's really what lies at the heart of what I do."
Jack has worked with children and young people, in both sport and education settings, throughout their career. They have worked with schools and educators across the UK to support them in creating more LGBT+ inclusive environments as well as having presented to over 100,000 primary age children via school workshops.
Jack is also a regular speaker and panelist, taking to the stage at the likes of the NEU LGBT+ Educators Conference, The Free & Equal Conference and, most recently, having their writing in the Metro newspaper about their personal journey and work with young people.
"Let's educate IN diversity and OUT educate prejudice. Let's make it our generation's legacy promoting and teaching acceptance, understanding and joy. That's really what lies at the heart of what I do."
Mel Lane (She/Her)
- Head of Education
Mel brings an extraordinary wealth of experience to her role as Head of Education, having been a primary school teacher and teacher trainer for nearly 30 years. She has worked in schools on LGBT+ Inclusion with thousands of children, teachers and school staff.
Mel has built an unrivaled reputation for LGBT+ inclusive education training; inspiring those she works with and providing tangible, actionable support that empowers schools and learning environments to create safe, inclusive spaces for all students and staff.
"My biggest aim is to help children feel good about themselves and their families. When children feel supported and happy to be themselves, they are more likely to learn and grow in confidence. Schools play a pivotal role in supporting children and teachers can make a huge difference with small actions. When we promote inclusion, we send a message to all children that they are valued just as they are.”
Mel is a co-author of Pop'n'Olly's book 'What Does LGBT+ Mean?'
Learn more about Mel's inclusive education at diversitymel.com.
Mel brings an extraordinary wealth of experience to her role as Head of Education, having been a primary school teacher and teacher trainer for nearly 30 years. She has worked in schools on LGBT+ Inclusion with thousands of children, teachers and school staff.
Mel has built an unrivaled reputation for LGBT+ inclusive education training; inspiring those she works with and providing tangible, actionable support that empowers schools and learning environments to create safe, inclusive spaces for all students and staff.
"My biggest aim is to help children feel good about themselves and their families. When children feel supported and happy to be themselves, they are more likely to learn and grow in confidence. Schools play a pivotal role in supporting children and teachers can make a huge difference with small actions. When we promote inclusion, we send a message to all children that they are valued just as they are.”
Mel is a co-author of Pop'n'Olly's book 'What Does LGBT+ Mean?'
Learn more about Mel's inclusive education at diversitymel.com.
James Canning (He/Him)
- Education Consultant & Advisor
James is a university student passionate about maths and physics. He works alongside his mother (Mel) and Dorset's LGBT+ youth charity Space Youth Project, to deliver staff training and workshops in schools for students aged 4 - 18.
James is a co-author of Pop'n'Olly's book What Does LGBT+ Mean?
James is a university student passionate about maths and physics. He works alongside his mother (Mel) and Dorset's LGBT+ youth charity Space Youth Project, to deliver staff training and workshops in schools for students aged 4 - 18.
James is a co-author of Pop'n'Olly's book What Does LGBT+ Mean?
Pop (He/Him)
- Chief Executive Balloon & Head of Inflation
Pop is the friendly, blue balloon sidekick to Olly. Or maybe Olly is the sidekick to Pop? Either way they both star in a number of videos on their awesome YouTube channel.
Pop is fun and silly but he also likes to learn about all the amazing and different people in our world. Sometimes Olly teaches Pop and sometimes Pop teaches Olly because everyone knows something you don't!
Pop is the friendly, blue balloon sidekick to Olly. Or maybe Olly is the sidekick to Pop? Either way they both star in a number of videos on their awesome YouTube channel.
Pop is fun and silly but he also likes to learn about all the amazing and different people in our world. Sometimes Olly teaches Pop and sometimes Pop teaches Olly because everyone knows something you don't!
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