Staff Team

I am the manager but what I really enjoy is the youth work and outdoor activities. I still volunteer as an independent assessor for The Duke of Edinburgh Awards and coach as much as I can when I get the opportunity. Mountain biking and kayaking remain my favourite activities and I am a very competitive pool player.Cramlington Voluntary Youth Project is a well resourced centre with a very good staff and volunteer team. Young people are achieving and having fun and I am proud to be part of it.

I have been at Cramlington Voluntary Youth Project for about 8 years, volunteering the first 2 years and undertaking any courses. Now I coordinate the programmes, supervise a large team of staff and oversee all the volunteers active in the project. I particularly enjoy the activities and seeing young people achieve. One of my many roles is to developed programmes including The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, The Princes Trust XL for alternative education and the Open College Network.Delivering the Duke of Edinburgh Award to numerous groups is very rewarding. The challenges set to every group differs but the end result is the same; an outstanding certificate that goes on the CV. My first Gold Group completed last year “what a Journey” and the DVD is inspiring for everyone…..

I have been at CVYP since leaving school in 2007 going from being a young volunteer to now becoming the Youth Activity & Outdoor Education Co-coordinator.Over the years u have achieved so much and so many qualification such as Bronze, Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh and the Diamond Duke of Edinburgh Award. I have also achieved my trail cycle Leader (TCL NGB) and Archery Instructors qualification. Recently I have achieved my biggest award which was my Mountain Leaders Award. I thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the training and assessment. It also helped me become more confident in what I do and made me really keen to teach others the skills I’ve learned and give the young people a great outdoor experience, whether that it is on the bikes, walking or playing team building games.In the future I see myself working between CVYP and Kielder leading and overseeing all activities as well as Duke of Edinburgh expeditions and residential.

More Info about me to come…..

I started working at CVYP when I was 17 years old as a young apprentice and since joining the project I have met a wide range of wonderful people who have helped me develop as a person. I have gained a wide range of skills including leadership, communication and self-confidence. By gaining these skills it has allowed me to create good relationships with young people.Since joining I have received a wide range of opportunities to grow and gain confidence as well as achieve my Gold Arts Award and completed my Level Three in Youth Work. Since the completion of these awards I have went on to become an arts advisor myself to help give the young people the same opportunity I was given.

I started volunteering at the youth project when I was 11 years old. In that time I have gained many skills and progressed from an apprentice to a youth support worker where I’m currently involved with all the groups in the centre. This has enabled me to gain many skills which has allowed me to develop in my role. Throughout my time at CVYP I am very proud to say I have achieved my Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh Awards as well as completing my Level 2 Youth Work Qualification. This year I am working towards my Gold Duke of Edinburgh and my Level 3 Youth Work.As I continue to develop, I’m mostly looking forward to getting more involved with the outdoor side of things at Chirdon Head in the coming months.

During my time at CVYP, I have completed my Bronze Duke of Edinburgh, John Muir Award and was lead champion on the Big Music Project. After joining as a junior in 2009, I have volunteered with all the groups and I have just became a young apprentice. My favourite activities while being at CVYP have been the PGL France Trip, Gorge Walking, Go Ape and Alton Towers. As well as this I have also assisted with the Duke of Edinburgh.I am very excited to get involved with the different groups as I continue my journey at CVYP and continue to develop and learn new skills.

At CVYP I have gained loads of awards such as Duke of Edinburgh Bronze and just about completed my Silver.With my group I completed all four stages of the Key Fund and Discovery and Explore levels of the John Muir Award. As a result I now help others with gaining the skills to help them achieve these awards. Through completing these awards myself I have gained lots of useful skills such as leadership and have been able to take part in many exciting experiences. I like taking part in everything and especially like taking part in the outdoor and water activities. I have volunteered for several years and am now on a pre-apprenticeship at CVYP.

Since joining CVYP seven years ago as a junior, I have been able to achieve my Bronze and Silver D of E and have completed the four stages of Key Fund and my John Muir Discovery Award. The activities I enjoy are music and archery which I have won an award for winning a competition in. I have volunteered for several fayres and have taken part in sponsored walk with a group of special needs.

Through CVYP I have been able to achieve my Bronze D of E and as a result have grown in confidence within my volunteer roles and have felt welcomed by everyone. I have went on many trips such as part of the music gang to London and Manchester, I have even been to France. I have had amazing experiences so far and wish to do so much more wonderful things. I have volunteered in different groups an have been able to help others in similar situations as me. The youth project is a place I go to have time to myself and also help others enjoy there time there. It has opened so many different doors for me and gave me lots of great opportunities and for that I am thankful of and all the amazing people at the project.