Jorja is an award-winning advocate, allergy awareness campaigner, and community role model whose journey demonstrates extraordinary resilience and determination.

After leaving high school at 15 due to bullying, disabilities, and ongoing health conditions, Jorja faced significant barriers to education and employment. With disrupted schooling, no qualifications, and confidence, she was repeatedly told she couldn’t achieve her ambitions. Despite these challenges, she refused to give up. A place on a Supported Learning Bakery Level 3 course provided the opportunity she needed.

Seven years later, she has left college and started studying LLB Law at university, becoming a respected student leader, advocate, and voice for inclusion. During her time at college, she has served as Class Representative five times, became a member of the Law Society, spoken at conferences, published recipes, and helped develop allergy-awareness projects engaging with charities beyond the college community. In 2025 her achievements were recognised with The Herald’s Outstanding Contribution from a College Student Award. She was also selected as one of just fifteen students featured in City of Glasgow College’s 15th Anniversary celebrations.

Living with more than thirty allergies, alongside autism, Deafness, and other medical conditions, Jorja has transformed personal experiences of exclusion and misunderstanding into a mission to improve awareness, support, and protection for others. Her research and advocacy work has involved teachers, chefs, hospitality staff, etc, while her presentations have educated students, educators, and industry professionals on the realities of living with severe allergies. This work led to her appointment as a Youth Ambassador for Natasha’s Foundation.

Beyond her academic and campaigning work, Jorja has spent six years volunteering and coaching basketball for young people and adults with learning disabilities. Drawing on her own experiences of exclusion, she is committed to creating inclusive environments where everyone feels supported, valued and able to achieve their potential. 

Through her education, advocacy and volunteering, Jorja continues to challenge misconceptions, improve understanding and create opportunities for others. Her ambition is to use her legal studies and lived experience to drive meaningful change, ensuring that people with allergies, disabilities and support needs receive the recognition, protection and inclusion, and opportunities they deserve.