Staff

Kayleigh James - Manager/Youth Worker

`Having spent all my working years with much younger children and having no plans to change my career path. My eldest of 4 started at the Blandford School and so that I could keep in touch with what he was up to I started volunteering at Blandford Youth Club, that was 5 years ago and I haven't looked back. I am continuing to learn and develop my skills, I cant imagine doing anything else. 

I have now recently taken over managers role and am very happy to be continuing the work that jo left behind. I am incredibly proud of our youth club and am passionate about the job that I get to do because of it. 

Qualifications:

Currently completing my level 3 Youth work
Level 2 - Youth Work
Level 3 - Safeguarding
 Engaging & Supporting Teenagers with Addiction Issues
Engaging & Supporting Teenagers (Effective Interventions & Harm Minimisation Advice)
Supporting Bereaved Teenagers
Sexual Health Awareness
C card Trained
First Aid Trained

Carly Morris -   Head of Business and funding/ Youth Worker

Youth Worker with 6 years of experience working with young people. Initially started youth work as a volunteer. Have been a part of Blandford Youth and Community Centre since the reopening in 2017. II have now taken on the role of business manager, my duties include

*  Bid writing to make sure funding opportunities are not missed.
*  Being aware of training opportunities, and training staff would like      to pursue.
*  To liaise with other professionals to ensure connections are made         to fully support the youth centre, in a positive and community                 supporting way.
                    

Qualifications:

  Ba Hons Degree in Fashion and Textiles
Level 2- Youth Work
 Level 3- Youth Work
Level 2 - Safeguarding.
 Mental Health First Aid Course
 Engaging & Supporting Teenagers with Addiction Issues 
Engaging & Supporting Teenagers (Effective Interventions & Harm Minimisation Advice)
Supporting Bereaved Teenagers
Sexual Health Awareness 
C card Trained
First Aid Trained

Jo Hutson - All round support/advisor

Jo is the lead Targeted Youth worker for East Dorset. She has worked with children and young people for the last 33 years

27 of those in the Blandford area where she has brought up her 4 sons. Jo has recently stepped down as manager but is still a big part of our youth centre regularly dropping in and always there to give advice.

Qualifications:

Level 3 Youth Work
Level 4 tutoring
Level 4 working with children and families with complex needs
Level 3 safeguarding
Level 3 equal opportunities training
Level 3 SEND
Level 2 Autism awareness
As well other training in drug and alcohol awareness and sexual health and safer relationships.

Lizzie Hewson - Assistant Youth Worker

Lizzie has been at the youth centre for 5 years however she’s recently just completed a modern apprenticeship with us.
She will soon be undertaking her level 2 and is now employed by as as a worker

Lizzie is well known for looking after the snack bar in the youth centre, where the kids can easily locate her for a quick chat. Lizzie previously attended the Blandford school then carried her education on to Kingston Maurward college.

 Lizzie is interested in many things from the human anatomy, to watching cartoons, listening to alternative bands and bullet journaling.

Qualificiations:

Level 1 health and safety

Level 1 first aid

Level 2 Animal Care

Btec level 3 Health and social care (first year)

Level 1 embalming and care of the dead

Josh Feirn - Youth Worker


Has been working within a youth work setting on and off for the last 13 years. Before becoming a volunteer at the youth centre Josh coached youth football for a number of years with Blandford United FC. He has been involved with the youth centre for the last 9 years. Outside of the youth centre Josh works full time in the ground works side of construction and is also the manager of Blandford United reserves. Josh has recently completed his training and is now a local police officer, offering a new angle of support to our young people and the youth center

Qualifications:

 Level 2 youth work
 Level 2 safeguarding
 Level 1 football coach

Alisha Hill - Volunteer Youth Worker

 Alisha started volunteering for Blandford Youth Centre in 2014 but has taken some time out for her studies. She had recently rejoined the team as a volunteer. she currently doing her teacher training as a secondary teacher. We hope to welcome her back to our team soon

Alisha has always been well known for running fun activities at the centre like cookie decorating and crafts.


Alisha’s interests include art, cooking and rewatching Friends.

 

Qualifications:

BA (Hons) Business Management

Level 2 Safeguarding

Our Young Volunteers

We have a great team of young volunteers . We could not provide what we do without the help and support of our young volunteers they take part in the young volunteer programme that we run. This is where we take year 10 students through an interview and training process so they can help us run our sessions. Our Young volunteers are trained in safeguarding, participation and health and safety. This provides them work with transferrable skills such as stock rotation, till skills, conflict resolution, organisation skills and being part of a team. They all achieve a Dorset award, (this year Matt Prosser from Dorset council came and handed out the certificates) and the opportunity to take part in additional training and awards. This is great for their CVs and college applications They greatly support out younger people, they help mentor them, they run great activities outdoors and in as well as run activities for open discussions, related to topical events, age-appropriate issues, world issues and discuss events currently happening in the news. The younger people can really relate to them, and the young volunteers really support them in building their confidence and discussing those harder to talk about issues

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