Trustees
Meet the Trustees
All of the youth workers are appropriately trained and competent using NYA Professional and National Occupational Standards for Youth Work as a guide and have current enhanced DBS certificates. The youth workers take part in regular ongoing professional development.
Andy Brown
Hi, I am Andy and the Chair of Westgate Youth Project. I got involved with Westgate Youth Project about 6 years ago initially as the Secretary, then Chair. I am immensely proud of the work that the project does, providing a community, safe space, engaging and fun activities for young people with hidden disabilities. My wife, Paula is the Youth Work Manager and our daughter Rosie is Autistic, she was the inspiration for The Umbrella Club.
As trustees we are committed to supporting the work that Paula and her team do in delivering an excellent provision to young people with hidden disabilities.
Away from the project I work locally for a Pharmaceutical company leading teams in developing new respiratory medicines. Away from work I enjoy cycling and walking our three dogs.
Sally Peacock
Hello, my name is Sally. I’ve sat in the car park, in my car outside The Umbrella Club every Thursday evening for 3 years now, waiting for my daughter to come out!
My daughter Charlotte is 13. Her amazing zest for life inspires me every day. She is incredibly passionate about music and singing, she spends all of her free time listening to music and singing, making mini-movies about music and singing, trampolining whilst listening to music and singing and on the swings at a local park, yep you guessed it…listening to music whilst singing!
I have spent most of my adult life working with people of all ages with hidden disabilities in various roles.
Since having Charlotte I needed a job role that would enable me to spend holidays with her and that I enjoy. I am very lucky to work at a local college with young people (typically 14-18-year-olds) with hidden disabilities and have worked there for most of Charlotte’s life.
Paula and her team are amazing – they treat every young person as an individual, and are very welcoming to everyone who walks through their door. Charlotte felt safe, confident and happy enough to unmask very quickly.
Charlotte: Likes (adores) One Direction and each of the individual members of the band’s solo music – Dislikes – Aerosmith.
Sally: Likes – Aerosmith – Dislikes – One Direction and each of the individual members of the band’s solo music
Such fun!
Poppy Harris
I feel very fortunate to have Westgate Youth Project in our town and to have seen my own children benefit from it so much. As a CAMHS professional, I am a great advocate for the importance of social interaction and fun and this is something that Westgate Youth Project does in a safe, supportive and relaxed way.
In my spare time I enjoy time with familyand friends, eating delicious food, catching up on TV series and pottering in the garden when it’s warm enough.
Susan Midgely
Hi, I’m Susan. I have been a member of the committee since 2012. I also used to work as a voluntary youth worker for Westgate Youth Project. My real area of expertise is the local community as I know everyone, or who to ask!
Erin Bell
My name is Erin. I am a JNC qualified youth worker and have over 20 years experience delivering and managing youth work. My role as a trustee is Practice Development and Safeguarding. I have been part of Westgate Youth Project since the beginning, which shows how important I think the work is that the team are committed too. I bring my knowledge and experience of young people and youth projects to compliment the skills of other trustees.
