Your Association team is a passionate, dedicated and diverse mix of people. We ALL work as volunteers. Between us we have over 300 years experience of living happy, healthy, vegan lifestyles! This experience, along with our varied skills, enable us to deliver inspiration, information and
ground-breaking campaigns for positive change.
You can find out more about us below, chat to us through social media and meet us at an event! Plus if you’d like to be more active in promoting veganism and helping others, then volunteer with us and please today!
Directors
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_Chantal Denny
Founder / Managing Director, Media Comms & Campaigns
Chantal has been Vegan since early 2013 and was vegetarian for over a year before this. “I feel like it’s been a kind of awakening with a series of important discoveries that lead me to finally see just how imperative it is to live a Vegan lifestyle. But what really amazed me was just how wonderful a lifestyle it is and how easy it can be these days as well. My conscience is lighter, I'm healthier and I don’t miss a thing from my previous life – to the extent that I think - why wouldn’t someone be Vegan when there are just so many benefits?! I’d urge everyone to open their minds and hearts and to question this non-Vegan world we’ve created – we're killing billions of sentient beings needlessly and destroying everything around us. I want people to see just how different life could be if we embraced Veganism.”
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_David Harrow
Director, Finance & Development
David was bought up on a farm where it was 'normal' to kill the pigs and thousands of chickens, he even helped with the slaughter as a youngster and was taken by his Dad to the abattoir when very young to see their pigs killed! "The perceived wisdom was that we're superior to other species, and they're here for us to abuse at our will. It wasn't until many years later that I realised that this 'normal' behaviour was cruel and unnecessary abuse to animals who all have feelings, families, who communicate and feel pain. Having now cared for rescued ex battery hens and dogs, it's obvious that they have their own personalities, they know fear, and pain, and communicate within their species, and even to humans, making their needs and wants known. Having now made the realisation that there's no need whatsoever to use or consume any animal products, I want to help spread the word that it's unnecessary. My ambition is to be remembered for helping to make the world aware that the Vegan lifestyle is great, and that it will save our planet and us as individuals." As a side effect, David's blood pressure, diabetes and weight has normalised whilst eating a fabulous array of Vegan food - more range than he ever ate as a carnivore ...
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Alex Lockwood
Veganism is the opportunity to change the world and our relationship with both human and nonhuman others—for the better. How we live more compassionately and in balance with others and our planet is the largest social movement challenge of our time, and veganism is central to that; being vegan is, for me, essential for how I contribute to a more secure and flourishing future.
I hope the VLA will be a new community and voice for all those who want to make a change for themselves, their communities, and for animals. How we live our lives, and how we come together to change our society through collective action and politics, is changing—and I see the VLA being at the very front of that change.
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Dave Vise
Director
For me being vegan means living the simplest healthiest lifestyle while causing the minimum avoidable suffering to other beings.
I'd like to see the VLA become an organisation that established, new and vegan-curious individuals could turn to for reliable information, support and encouragement on all matters relating to a vegan lifestyle.
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Marissa Pendlebury
Director
Becoming vegan involves developing more compassionate relationships with ourselves, others and the world we can thrive (not just live) in. Apart from nourishing the mind and body, becoming vegan is a lifelong (and tasty!) journey of new and exciting discoveries that can help us - and the planet – to reach our full potential.
The VLA as an interactive resource can grow to help others feel inspired by the multiple benefits of becoming vegan. With an enthusiastic team, the VLA can spark national and international change, while providing its members with opportunities to feel connected and form lifelong friendships
Associates, Supporters and Friends
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Gregg Lowe
Associate, Supporter & Friend
Blog: The Mindful Snail (coming soon!)
Fellow advocate Gregg is an actor and has been Vegan since 2011. To him Veganism is important because “It’s where compassion begins…” Reflecting on what makes Vegan life easier he says: “Removing myself and my ego. Those who say being Vegan is hard are thinking of themselves. Those who say it is easy are thinking of others.”
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Jasmine Harman
Ambassador and Vegan Advocate
TV presenter Jasmine went vegan in 2014 and says: “I was breastfeeding my daughter and something clicked. I thought about the fact I was producing milk because I was a mum, and that a cow makes milk because she’s a mum too, and that her milk is meant for her offspring, not for people to take and drink. I just couldn’t get my head around why a human being would drink milk which was meant for a calf – it seemed so wrong." “I think the Vegan Lifestyle Association is a brilliant idea, the more people that can make an informed choice about veganism, the better. There just isn’t enough information out there for people, but once people have all the facts they will realise it’s a no-brainer.”
www.jasmineharman.com
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Kylie
Co-founder TeenVGN
THE social network for young vegetarians and vegans.
Kylie has been Vegan since 2008: “There is no need to inflict unnecessary harm on animals just to eat a meal when there are so many cruelty-free alternatives. Being vegan also helps the planet and is fantastic for your health. Why wouldn't you be vegan? It's vitally important! She says Vegan living is easier “…with social media and some amazing websites it's super easy to connect with other vegans! Veganism is also becoming more and more mainstream.”
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Laura
Co-founder TeenVGN
THE social network for young vegetarians and vegans.
Laura has been Vegan since 2011 “Veganism is important to me because every time I look into the eyes of a cow, sheep, horse, pig, goat, duck etc.. I see my own fur children (pets, animals, companions whatever people like to call them) and have a burning within my heart to change the way other people look at them. As beautiful souls, not as food.” Vegan living is made easier by “Being part of an amazing, inspiring group of compassionate people within the vegan community. People who we have met at festivals and on social media that we are happy to now call friends who we can count on for encouragement, advice and gracious hearts when needed.”
UK Vegan Food Bloggers
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Alastair
Blog: Vegan Up North
Alastair’s favourite cuisine is Indian (with Thai a close second). He’s known for his date loaf and his ‘go-to’ easy vegan meals are kimchi fried rice or okonomiyaki (a type of Japanese pancake). Alastair won ‘Best Dessert’ in the Virtual Vegan Potluck for his Lime, Coconut, Carrot and Ginger Cake.
www.veganupnorth.com
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Emily
Blog: Vegan Lass
Emily’s favourite cuisine is Mexican, because it can be so fresh and vibrant. But as a Lancashire Lass she still has a soft spot for old childhood classics like hearty stews, mash and pies. Whilst her cooking style is varied she specializes in creating healthy and vibrant meals based mostly on whole foods and her ‘go-to’ easy vegan meal would be a mean green something (with lots of green veg and herbs!) Emily was a finalist in PETA’s Great Vegan Bake Off with her Dark Chocolate Cupcakes and has featured in Veganuary, Fresh Vegan Magazine, T.O.F.U. Magazine, Peaceful Dumpling, Vegalicious, Fat Gay Vegan, GOVEG, Glasgow Now, and Lancashire Evening Post.
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Jasmine
Blog: Self Sufficient Café
Jasmine say’s she can’t pin her fave food down to just one and loves Thai, Mexican and Italian! If you went to her house for dinner she’d cook you celeriac bisque, mushroom risotto and a chocolate pudding, with broad bean "cheese" and olive crackers to finish! Her ‘go-to’ easy vegan meal is Mushroom Ragu. Jasmine’s work has featured in Fresh Vegan magazine, The Vegan Kind Subscription box, Mino Valley "Animal Friendly Cookbook" and "My Vegan Mind" website. She also writes for Alldishes.co.uk, betsy.com and FoodFotoGallery, is a Suma Wholefoods blogger and is currently participating in the Vegan Mofo challenge!
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Kathryn
Blog: Full Bellies on a Budget: The Vegan Recipe Blog.
Kathryn loves Indian food like a big bowl of lentil and chickpea Dahl – “a proper 'Belly Hug' kinda meal!” She enjoys cooking hearty, savory food and her ‘no meat and potato pie with carrot pastry’ has proved to be the most popular. For cheap, easy mid-week cooking she recommends her ''meatballs kale and chickpea stirfry.'' Kathryn’s work features on the ‘Love Food Hate Waste’ website and she is (secretly) the force behind the wonderful and very popular @veganrecipehour #veganrecipehour every Thursday 8pm GMT!
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Katy
Blog: Little Miss Meat-Free
Katy loves Thai food (especially with a coconut sauce, crushed peanuts and plenty of lime!). Her signature dishes are Lemon and Courgette Tagliatelle as well as Victoria Sponge Cake! Her ‘go-to’ easy vegan meal is her 15- Minute Chickpea and Spinach Curry. Katy won PETA’s Great British Vegan Bakeoff with her fabulous Ombre Vanilla Cake! She also did the first ever Vegan cooking demo at Yum Food Festival and has featured in Healthy magazine, BBC Radio Humberside, Hull Daily Mail, Vilda magazine, the Animal Friendly Cookbook by Mino Sanctuary. She’s a blogger for Suma Wholefoods and Froothie and has been nominated for Vegfest and Viva! Awards.
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Lindsay
Blog: Leicester Veggie
On favourite foods Lindsay says “What a tough question! I love all food, so it's difficult for me to pick just one.” As she grew up in Arizona her signature dishes have a Mexican influence and include tortilla soup, potato tacos, guacamole and burrito bowls. For quick and easy mid-week meals Lindsay says it has to be soup! “There is something about the cold, rainy British winters that make you want to snuggle up with a warming bowl of veggie soup. They're easy to throw together and make great leftovers for lunch the following day.” Lindsay hopes that her blog will inspire people to try veganism and that more local restaurants will start to offer vegan foods and promote those dishes to the public.
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Lucy
Blog: Vegan Family House
Lucy’s favourite ingredient is Chocolate in all it's wonderful forms! Her cashew nut roast and cream of tomato soup and legendary and for her easy ‘go-to’ vegan meal it would have to be baked potatoes with salad and beans. Lucy’s popular blog is aimed at all sorts of people who simply want to eat Vegan and it includes everything from raw smoothies to hearty Scottish soups.
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Sharon
Blog: Bit of the Good Stuff
Sharon’s (several) all-time favourite cuisines are Thai and Indian, closely followed by Mexican and Middle Eastern. She’s best known for her family-friendly every day meals and the easiest of those for a ‘go-to’ supper would be her scrambled tofu with stir-fried mushrooms and peppers on toast. Sharon’s recipes have been featured in Fresh Vegan magazine and The Independent.
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Susanne
Blog: Kirly Sue's Blog
Kirly-Sue loves Jamaican and Thai cuisine and her signature dish is Vegan Jamaican Patties. For her ‘go-to’ easy vegan meal it has to be Vegan Sweet Potato Lentil Bake. Kirly-Sue has a vegan cooking show on 3ABN TV in the USA (!) and in the UK has featured in Take -A-break magazine. Her blog sets a friendly tone and is great for new vegans.
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Tomi
Blog: The Vegan Nigerian
Tomi has two favourite cuisines - Nigerian and Thai food; she loves them both equally. Her expertise is in Nigerian cooking and her easy ‘go-to’ vegan supper dish reflects this as it’s Jollof rice (a spicy rice dish made using fresh bell peppers and tomatoes.) Tomi featured on the BBC World News show 'Focus on Africa' in November.
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Trinity
Blog: Trinity’s Conscious Kitchen
Trinity’s absolute favourite foods are avocados and mangos and she can be possessive over them! Two dishes she is most praised for are her Turmeric & Sweet Potato Falafels and her Cottage Pie. She loves quick meals that don’t compromise on taste or quality and her easy ‘go-to’ meal is Coconut, Cauliflower and Chickpea soup. Trinity has her own book: ‘Trinity’s Conscious Kitchen’, also writes for Happy Cow and is a contributor for websites like ‘Wake up World’ and ‘Conscious Life News’.
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Vegan Vox
Blog: Vegan Vox Blog
Vegan Vox’s favourite foods are Mexican and Italian – she loves a great vegan burrito and pizza! She is known for veganising versions of all your favourite meals but for an easy ‘go-to’ option recommends her super quick pitta pizzas or a shepherd's pie. Vegan Vox runs the fabulous mobile food van The Vegan Grindhouse and has been nominated for Best Vegetable Chef Category in the YBFs (Young British Foodies Awards) 2014. She was also nominated for the UK Blog Awards for 2013 and 2014 and her recipes have featured in The Independent, The Birmingham Post and Mail, BT.com and several vegan magazines.
Fellow Vegan Advocates and Contributors
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Ami
VLA City/County Champion (Newcastle/NorthEast), Writer, Researcher
Blog: Tynecheese
Lifelong Vegan Ami says: “I am privileged to have been vegan since birth. The way I see the world on a daily basis, the logic is just so clear. I have been brought up living around the world and have seen first hand that this planet and its people urgently needs a change inspired by the Vegan movement. I have never felt being vegan is difficult - it has always been a joy! But it does help that there are more products and that people actually know what a Vegan is now!”
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Aniqa
Fashion/Lifestyle Writer, Town/City Contact (London), Events Assistant
Blog: Aniqa Dreams
Aniqa has been vegetarian since birth and then became Vegan in 2013. It’s important to her because: “I love animals and I do not want to take advantage of them or harm them in any way. Not to mention all the health and environmental benefits of veganism. Also, how good is vegan food?! Nothing can beat that! Nothing about my vegan life is hard ;) It simply feels natural and beautiful.”
www.Aniqadreams.blogspot.com
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Anneka
VLA Writer, Mentor
Anneka has been Vegan since 2003 and says: “It makes up a huge part of who I am and it matters so much to me that I am doing what I can to stop the horrific cruelty going on in the world. Veganism to me represents a way of life that says 'I care'.” “…the wonderful world of Vegans, particularly on Twitter…” make her Vegan life easier.
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Donna
VLA Mentor, Buddy, Nutritional Researcher
Donna has been Vegan since 2014 and says: “I believe every sentient being deserves the right to live their life free from cruelty and suffering. For me, veganism is so much more than a diet plan. It is a lifestyle choice that saves lives, promotes good health and helps repair our damaged planet. It’s the only compassionate way forward.”
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Emily
VLA Writer, PR Expert
Emily has been Vegan since 2014… “It seems like the only logical way to live my life, causing as little harm to others as possible. It's changed my life - and my health - immeasurably.” But she admits it’s made easy by: “My wonderful fiancé, Andrew, who just so happens to be a fantastic cook! I am super lazy!”
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Jai
VLA Lifestyle Writer & Mentor
Jai has been vegan since 2014 and says: Being Vegan is so important to me as it has dramatically improved my health and I also feel like I make a difference everyday by choosing not to eat animals. "Every day, I wake up and I feel that I am a better person for being vegan and embracing this lifestyle. It has also made me feel more comfortable in my own skin".
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Jessica Marie Bull
Volunteer
To me being vegan is just one facet of fighting for an equal world. Both as a feminist and a vegan I try to always acknowledge the wider effects of my actions, words and choices. Therefore everyday I remind myself through being vegan that the clothes I wear, food I eat and activities I do affect other living beings and I try to make those choices in ways which create the least harm.
I am hoping that the VLA can be a community hub for vegans and people thinking about becoming vegan. I want to help create an environment of support, fun and information to encourage and strengthen people’s vegan beliefs and behaviours.
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Lizzie
VLA Blogger Contributor & Writer
Blog: Caring Cosmetics
Lizzie reviews and blogs about her Vegan and cruelty free cosmetic finds. "Veganism is important to me as it shows everyone who I really I am. I care a lot about animals so that's why I went vegan!" Lizzie is currently a MOD for the #CFBloggers chat on Twitter
www.caring-cosmetics.com
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Mary-Anne
VLA Researcher, Mentor
Owner: Heavenly Organics Skin Care
Mary-Anne has been Vegan since 2007 and feels: “There is far too much unnecessary animal death and torture caused by human beings. We are all sentient beings. We need to treat all sentient beings with respect and love. Being vegan is also so much healthier.” Support from friends and “the wonderful people I can interact with on Twitter and Facebook” make her Vegan life easier.
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Neil
VLA Writer , Spokesperson , Events Assistant, Social Media Expert
Neil has been Vegan for an amazing 30 years and says: “For me, veganism is the perfect way for me to save the planet, myself, animals and feed others...” “I've seen huge changes since I went Vegan thirty years ago. What makes my life easier? Now I'm being seen as 'normal' in an abnormal (non-vegan) world.” Author of the blog Vegan Laptop Lunch Box
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Siân
VLA Supper Club Organiser, Writer, Mentor, Events Assistant
Blog: The Cheeky Vegan
Sian became Vegan in 2013: “Veganism is important to me because the world will not change on its own. We need to lead by example… …turning to a huge vegan community is the most reassuring and reaffirming thing you can do. We’re a hugely compassionate and friendly bunch, and there is a network of support and sharing of ideas that transcends oceans and borders, and is absolutely out of this world.”
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Stella
Mentor, Buddy, Family Support, Graphic Design
Stella has been Vegan since 1989, and says: “I feel strongly that we should respect, and show compassion to all living creatures. I cannot bear the exploitation of so many innocent creatures that are seen only as commodities. It’s not necessary to inflict suffering, pain and death for our own survival.” Modern Vegan living is made easier for her by: “Vegan mayo, Montezuma’s chocolate, Alpro custard, Taifun tofu.... I could go on, it’s just so easy nowadays! No excuses!!!”
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Veganomically
Writer, Mentor, Event Support
Blog: Veganomically
Vegan since 2013, Veganomically says that it’s so important to him because: “Knowing what I now know I couldn't imagine any other way of life, I don't want my lifestyle to cause others any pain or suffering. It’s made easier by the people on Twitter!” His blog offers ‘Opinion based views on veganism with a lean towards the environmental aspects impacted.’