WHO WE ARE
The team are passionate about providing safe spaces and opportunities to local children and young people. We love to see them enjoying themselves, supporting them to develop their skills and raise their aspirations. Our services are constantly evolving to respond to what the youth tell us they need and want.
Our approach is one of partnerships: Most importantly with the young people themselves. Also working with other organisations, families, guardians and professionals. We work with and for our community, involving young people in choices that matter. Our aims are:
• To ensure young people have a voice, which is heard, validated and acted upon.
• To raise aspirations and improve skills
• To embrace and support diversity and inclusion
• To continually review, respond and improve our offer
The WCC Youth Service aims to support all young people who need or want it, wherever in the parish the live or are educated.
Our programme uses the most appropriate facilities, venues and resources available to us. With a varied offer across the parish which is open to all, which has been proven to successfully reduce divisions across the piece and the territorialism that can lead to difficulties. Encouraging interaction, reducing community tensions. Building strong connections is at the heart of our work.
Meet the team. We strive to ensure that each of our projects consitently have the same staff each week to enable children and young people to develop trusted relationships with safe and responsible adults. Staff each have different skill sets and areas of interest to compliment their sessions. All Youth Workers and Support Workers hold Enhanced DBS certificates and have completed regular Safeguarding and First Aid training.
Tash Darling.
Youth & Community Services Manager
Designated Safeguarding Lead
Tash has been a Youth Worker for over 25 years. She comes from a Psychology and Welfare background. Tash manages the Youth Service but works in some of our weekly projects, at our events and specialises in 1 to 1 and family support. Tash is our Designated Safeguarding Lead & Child Protection Officer.
Gemma Simmons.
Senior Youth Worker
Deputy Safeguarding Lead
Gemma is our most senior youth worker. She is responsible for the smooth and effective day to day service delivery. Her main passions and areas of expertise are Play and Sports. Gemma is present in almost all of our weekly projects, at our events and manages our Junior & Play Rangers programmes.
Brad.
Youth Support Worker.
Brad is our newest team member. He loves sports and was a professional tennis player before he became a learning mentor in a Primary school for children with complex needs and a youth support worker. You'll mostly find Brad in our Monday & Tuesday projects.
Charli.
Youth Support Worker
Charli has years of experience with SEND children as a TA. She brings a gentleness and calm, along side her knowledge and understanding that makes her a vital team member in our Junior clubs. She has responsibility for coming alongside our most vulnerable and crafty members.
Claire.
Youth Support Worker
Claire is our longest service part-time youth support worker. She was a Learning Mentor in aprimary schools for over 25 years and now supports older children with additional needs. Claire is the welfare lead at Phoenix Arts and can be found every Thursday at Eagelstone Seniors. She looks after everyone!
Kelly.
Youth Support Worker
Kelly is a familiar face to many local families & children as she has been a learning mentor in one of our primary schools for over 15yrs. She is always in our Eaglestone sessions, our Tuesday Seniors and a busy Play Ranger in the school holidays.
Sarah.
Youth Support Worker
Sarah, previously a primary school teacher and care home lead. She visibly loves supporting and providing activities for children & young people. You will find Sarah in our Monday groups. Always enthusiastic and always smiling!
Tammy.
Youth Support Worker
Tammy has lifetime connections to Woughton and has been part of the youth team for many years, having supported and led sesisons across the parish. She is trusted & liked by parent carers and our members alike. You will currently find her in both our Eaglestone sessions.
Emily.
Youth Support Worker (Holidays only)
Emily is a drama teacher at a secondary school but loves youthwork, the outdoors and to play. At some point in every School holiday she comes back and can be found at Play Ranger sesisons, youth groups and supporting events.
Tally.
Junior & Play Ranger Volunteer
Tally had been a Junior Ranger, supporting Play Ranger sessions since she was 16. Now she is a 'grown-up' she has joined the team as a valued volunteer. The little ones adore her sense of fun and she never runs out of energy or laughter.
Youth Work is a varied role, there is never a dull moment and it's a great way to invest in your community.
It is important for children and young people to be introduced to safe adults that can share as many different perspectives and opportunities as possible. We are always looking to broaden the skills, expertise and passions in our team.
If you're interested in volunteering with us, click below to view a file with the job description. In return, we will provide you with all the training and support you need to enjoy being a part of our valuable and rewarding work.
Safe, Accessible & Inclusive
We are led by the needs of our community and respond by focusing on the strengths of individuals and the communities within the parish – we know that Woughton is hugely diverse, and we aim to ensure a welcoming, inclusive approach to all our projects, taking a zero-tolerance approach to discriminatory language and actions. This means that when children and young people attend our services, they know that they are safe, supported, and able to express themselves. You can read our Youth Service Managers' Inclusion & Diversity report below.
Furthermore, we work to MKCC Working Together framework to ensure service users can be confident that we understand our Safeguarding and Child Protection responsibilities. All Youth team are enhanced DBS certificated, undergo regular training and work to the very highest standards to safeguard our service users and staff. Woughton Community Council's Youth Service has successfully been awarded the Safe Practice Mark each year since it was introduced. The Terms of reference and our certificate is available to view below.