Tell us a bit about who you are.

Ryan Doyle

My name is Ryan Doyle, I am a police Inspector with Devon and Cornwall and the Chair and Founder of Local Heroes. I’m 32 years old and have been a police officer for 12 years; joining Thames Valley in 2003 and then moving to Devon in 2007. I set up Local Heroes in 2013 because I care deeply about preventing bullying, raising awareness of Hate Crime and empowering young people to lead social change.

What is your ‘idea worth spreading’?

I will be talking about how the unique approach of Local Heroes has made a hugely positive impact on schools and young people.

What message do you want to share at TEDxTotnes?

I want people to realise that they have a responsibility to protect Young People and the passion, drive and brilliant ideas that they have.

What does the theme of this year’s TEDxTotnes, “It’s in our hands” mean to you?

Through my day job as partnership lead for the police in Devon and the work I do with Local Heroes it is clear that the skills, knowledge and commitment required to lead and deliver social change exist within our communities. What we need is people to realise they have the ability to make things better; be that for themselves, their friends and family or their whole community. The challenge for those in positions of authority is to understand that and work with people to make this happen. For me, “It’s in our hands” is a call to action. For the policy setters, budget holders and decision makers to realise the ability in our communities, and individuals and communities to be inspired.

What impact do you hope TEDxTotnes will have on the community, and internationally?

I want them to be inspired. I want it to be a call to action. I want people to go and find out about Local Heroes and the other great organisations and projects that will be spoken about, and find out how they can help us make a difference.

Which TED or TEDx talk has had the greatest impact on you?

Tom Wujec (Marshmallow Challenge) and Adora Svitik (What adults can learn from kids). Both talk about how powerful young people’s minds and abilities are: “Kids are not hampered by reasons not to do something” (TW), “In order for anything to be a reality, you have to dream it first” (AS). They remind me of one of my favourite film quotes (from V for Vendetta): “Beneath this mask there is more than flesh. Beneath this mask is an idea, and ideas are bullet proof”.

Tell us a bit about who you are.

I’m a professional writer and workshop facilitator.

I had a pretty shaky start to life. This included drugs, alcohol and prison. Staring a long sentence in the face I had a choice: stop what I was doing and take an scary, unknown road or carry on with what I knew and head down the same fatal path my father took. The prospect of four walls and a cell door gave me a hand with the decision.

Caspar Walsh

My rehabilitation began in my early twenties. The key tools I found to stay off of drugs and out of prison was a community of like-minded souls, writing, more specifically the power of myth, and wild nature. I have always sought nature connection for reflection, solace and escape. It forms part of my earliest memories. I was mesmerised by myth and legends as a child. Jason and the Argonauts, Star Wars, Treasure Island, Lord of the Rings, these stories inspired me and helped healed a part of me that the harshness of daily life almost destroyed. They were a guiding light in a dark time.

My early years in crime, prison and my subsequent rehabilitation, slowly, over time, drew organisations (legal ones) to commission me, publish me, broadcast my work and pay me a living. I eventually went on to found the charity, Write to Freedom using the trinity of myth, community and wild nature to help others who have been in a similar position to me.

Today, my professional and personal life are interwoven, in a healthy way, to allow me to live the life I have dreamt of since I was a kid. I live on Dartmoor with my partner, I write, walk, sit, surf, spear fish and thank god I didn’t take my life when I wanted to. What I have today is nothing short of a miracle.

What message do you want to share at TEDxTotnes?

I’ll tell you on the 9th October….

What does the theme of this year’s TEDxTotnes, “It’s in our hands” mean to you?

The buck stops here. What I do matters. I have an impact on the world whether I believe it or not. We are indeed the leaders we have been waiting for. We are all leaders in our own unique way. We decide what we do and when. We have the power to change the world, one step at a time, together.

What impact do you hope TEDxTotnes will have on the community, and internationally?

To reach beyond the converted Ted Talk advocate. To inspire individuals across class, ethnic, religious, political and social spectrums to make possible the changes they may feel powerless to step into.

Which TED or TEDx talk has had the greatest impact on you?

Tricky. That’s like asking me what’s my favourite movie, band or place to go for a walk! I’d say all the Ted Talks I’ve reviewed for Positive News. Sir Ken Robinson as well as Plan B on Dangerous Education rate highly.