The Team

Operational Manager: Graham Godden is responsible for the effective day to day operational delivery of the scheme and the delivery of effective interventions to young people. He is also in charge of programme development and service delivery and for the leadership and effective management of Youth Empowerment in partnership with the Trustees and key stakeholders. Graham has spent four years working with over 5000 young people in the area of crime diversion and has developed a deep understanding of what is working and what is not working in the pursuit of reducing youth crime. Further insight and understanding come from Graham's academic qualifications and youth work training. Graham is to date the only ex-offender to obtain The Professional Certificate of Effective Practice in Youth Justice (Youth Justice Board) achieved as part of his BSc Criminology studies. Graham also holds a Diploma in Drug and Alcohol Counselling and an NVQ Level 3 Advice and Guidance.

Fundraising and Development Manager: Fiona Medley is responsible for the overall policy, fundraising, leadership, effective management and successful development of the scheme in partnership with the Trustees and key stakeholders. Fiona has worked in both the statutory and voluntary sector and has a background working with young people and offenders. She has experience of casework with young people and families; as a senior practitioner and manager supervising case workers. Further experience as Development Manager with a previous charitable organisation has equipped her with the skills for managing and developing Youth Empowerment. Fiona has a First Class Honours BA Social Science and Social Policy.

Lead Facilitator: Leonie
Leonie, Started working for the scheme as a volunteer and is now employed, working along side the Project Manager supporting him as a co-facilitator. As a female facilitator, Leonie adds a different dimension to the scheme working more closely with the young women who are referred and exploring their specific issues in more depth. Leonie is qualified with NVQ level 3 Information, Advice and Guidance.

Leonie’s experience over the past two years has led to her being employed as our Lead Facilitator in Sussex. She has supported many young people during this period with some amazing feedback. Her appointment to this position is testimony of all her hard work.

Facilitator: Shanie, Started working for the scheme as a volunteer and is now employed part time as a co-facilitator. Shanie manages to fit this around her other work commitments, such is her commitment to the scheme. She is also working towards NVQ level three Information, Advice and Guidance.

Shanie continues to work hard for the scheme on a sessional basis and undertake all relevant training applicable to her role. She is due to be part of the ‘Introductory Skills Set’ training the team are involved with in the autumn 2011.

Operational Manager: Graham Godden

Fundraising and Development Manager: Fiona Medley

The Operational Team

Facilitator: Merv
Has recently completed his voluntary period with the scheme and is commencing his sessional employment with Youth Empowerment starting in the autumn of 2011. Merv is proving to be a great asset to the team and Trustees are very glad to have him on board. His recent experience observing and co-facilitating sessions with the Operational Manager combined with the training he has undertaken has ensured that Merv will be well equipped to deliver sessions. Merv will be part of the Kent Team supporting young people and sharing his own experiencesof the consequences of offending and substance misuse.

Facilitator: Marticka
Is joining the team in September 2011 and will be a very valued member of Youth Empowerment. The skills and experience that Marticka brings will make her a real asset. Marticka has previous work experience with the Kenward Trust and Turning Point. She has qualifications in Restorative Justice: Victim Awareness and Taking Responsibility for Personal Actions. Also as a Community Sports Leader; Assertiveness and Decision Making; First Aid and H&S. Her personal experience of Dyslexia has equipped her with a variety of techniques for working with young people with the same issues. She will be a valued member of our Kent team. We welcome Martika and look forward to working with her.

Volunteers: Youth Empowerment uses volunteer ex-offenders to deliver Youth Empowerment interventions. The overall aim is for those who volunteer for the scheme to be offered sessional employment opportunities and subsequently permanent employment.

The Youth Empowerment Crime Diversion Scheme is working with HMP Service to provide volunteering opportunities to serving prisoners undertaking community work. This will provide a fantastic opportunity to these prisoners in their own rehabilitation and will also give a further dynamic aspect to the experience for young people.

Youth Empowerment Crime Diversion Scheme Ltd. Registered charity in England (1136013). A company limited by guarantee, registered in England company number 7142210. Registered office: 84 Coleridge Road, Cambridge, CB1 3PJ