I was born in Waltham Forest and moved to Essex when I was 3 months old and have continued to live here for 51 years!

My youth work career started in my late 20’s when I was a disillusioned civil servant and found myself searching for a more meaningful vocation. I began working part time for Thurrock Youth Service in 3 of their youth clubs. The following year I reduced my main job to 4 days and worked 1 day a week in the Pupil Referral Unit delivering PHSE along with the evening work. I used my annual leave from my day to job to attend residentials in Maes-Y-Lade and undertake part time youth work training.

In 2002 I was invited to apply for a position at Thurrock Youth Service managing their Alternative Education Programme for year 11’s, I was successful and haven’t looked back since, in 2003 I started my JNC degree at the George Williams College and can honestly say they were the hardest but most rewarding years of my life. One thing a Youth Work Qualification does it lead you to examine yourself and if you allow yourself to embrace the journey then it deepens self-reflection and understanding.

During my time with Thurrock, I had various posts, the Year 11 programme, managing youth clubs, Drug and Alcohol worker for the Borough, and my final position was managing a team of Targeted PA’s and Targeted Youth workers. In all of these roles I had the privilege of meeting and working with amazing young people from varied backgrounds and with differing

In 2010 I made the switch to Central Bedfordshire Council to take up an exciting new opportunity of being a Senior Youth Work Manager and had the pleasure of working alongside a great team of dedicated youth workers. I am still with Central Bedfordshire Council, and I am now the Youth Work Participation Manager, our team is responsible for Youth Parliament, Children in Care Council, Care Experienced Forum, Youth Van, Voice work for those involved in Early Help and much more.

There have been many changes and challenges to Youth Services and youth work, and over my 20+ years I have remained a strong advocate for good quality youth work and professionally qualified workers. I will always champion the benefits and opportunities that quality youth work brings, not only to young people but the wider community as well.