Staff and Trustees Liz Robinson - CEO liz@step2.org.ukLiz has a BSc in Psychology and an MA in Health, Youth and Community Development. She has worked at Step 2 since October 2005. Liz has over 30 years’ experience of working with young people in various settings and locations, and has worked in Bradford, primarily in BD4, since 1993. She has overseen a period of growth and development for the project. She is married with two adult sons, who both have additional needs. She spends a lot of time watching football with them, and when she gets the chance enjoys running and hill walking. Pauline Mullarkey - Counselling Manager pauline@step2.org.ukPauline’s qualifications include a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy, a Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling Supervision and a BEd (Hons) in Drama, She is a registered and accredited member of BACP. Pauline has many years’ experience of working with young people in counselling and education, working with Step 2 since March 2014. She manages a growing, dedicated and talented team of counsellors. She has three children and in her spare time loves to go walking, do yoga and grow her own vegetables. Adeil Mir – Male Development Worker adeil@step2.org.uk Adeil qualified with a degree in youth and community work in 2008 and started work at Step 2 following his graduation, having previously spent time with us on a student placement. Before training to be a youth worker he worked extensively as a volunteer in a wide range of youth settings, with a focus on sports based work. His main role is working with boys and young men around all aspects of health. In his spare time Adeil has a keen interest in sport, and in his spare time enjoys coaching, playing cricket and spending time with his young son. Kirsty Ferguson – Sexual Health Worker kirsty@step2.org.ukKirsty is a qualified Social Worker and registered with the Health Care Professionals Council (HCPC). She has 20 years’ experience of working with young people in both voluntary and statutory sectors. Kirsty joined Step 2 in September 2012, and specialises in sexual health. She particularly enjoys working with numerous young people at alternative education providers, and working with Pregnant Care Leaver and Young Adults with Learning Disabilities. In her spare time she likes going for walks with the dog, camping with friends, and spending time with her family. Stella Howarth – Buttershaw Youth Development Worker stella@step2.org.ukStella has an FPA Level 6 qualification in sexual health, and a diploma in higher education. She started her working life in nurseries and has many years’ experience of working with children and young people in a variety of settings across Bradford. She has worked at Step 2 since September 2015. She particularly enjoys the sexual health outreach work, and using her creative streak to keep our window displays looking good. In her spare time Stella enjoys travelling, being outdoors, running and walking. Mohammed Rafiq – Finance Worker admin@step2.org.ukMohammed has a Level 3 qualification awarded by the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) and is an associate member of CILEx. He joined us in May 2014, and works 5 hours per week keeping our accounting records up to date. He has experience of finance work with a range of charities around Bradford, he fits in alongside his role as a benefit adviser. His interests include cricket, reading, bowling and chess and he is an executive member of the Bradford Mutual Sunday School Cricket League. Rachel Lee – Specialist RSE Teacher Rachel has a BA History with Qualified Teacher Status, and worked as a teacher of humanities and PSHE for 9 years. She has held areas of responsibility in secondary schools including Attendance Lead, Head of House and Head of Year. Rachel has done community work in Leeds engaging young people, families and education providers to improve attendance, Rachel has also been an Education Safeguarding Officer for the local authority, working with children and young people who were victims of exploitation. She started at Step 2 in April 2021. Rachel enjoys films and visiting the cinema. Nic Hudson – HR and Data administrator Nic joined Step2 part time in April 2021 as HR and Data Admin. Before this she worked in a range of organisations including Oxfam Midlands, Leeds Social Services, Screen Yorkshire and Bradford Citizens Advice. She has lived further north than Moscow and can fit 22 Pringles in her mouth. When not at work she enjoys walking and being in nature, craft activities involving yarn, fabric and clay (not all together!) and spending quality time with her cats. Chris Hancox – Business Development Manager Chris has worked with local charities for more years than he cares to admit to. With extensive experience in setting up and developing organisations, fundraising and running projects he will be playing an important role, starting in April 2021, in moving Step 2 forward and building on our successful past work. His work will involve him in developing new projects, finding funding for them and supporting existing work. On a personal level he is a musician, an environmental campaigner and has a love of the outdoors. Yasmin Hussain – Admin Worker Yasmin has a Diploma in Office Procedures. She has previously worked as an accounts assistant for 15 years, mostly in the Manchester area, where she was born and brought up. She also has experience of working with young children as a teaching assistant. Yasmin starting working part time with us in November 2017, in the administration department. She also works as a lunchtime supervisor in a local secondary school. She has 3 children, and is an avid Manchester United fan. In her spare time she enjoys walking and going to the gym. Bev O Connor - Counsellor Bev has a BA in Counselling and Psychology in Community Settings and a Diploma in Person Centred Counselling and Human Relations. She has twenty-six years’ experience of working within the care sector in a variety of roles with both adults and young people. She has worked with us since March 2012, when she started as a volunteer. She now works with children and young people in both primary and secondary schools in Bradford. In her spare time, she loves doing Yoga, going to see live music, walking and camping with her family. Norma Blagborough – Counsellor Norma qualified with a Diploma in psychodynamic Counselling in1999. Since then she has worked for a parents counselling service in the Seacroft and Cottingley estates in Leeds, trained in children’s counselling and psychodynamic supervision and worked as a counselling manager with Place2be. She has worked as a primary schools counsellor for Step 2 from May 2016 to March 2020, and now runs supervision groups. She enjoys walking, visiting the Lake District, reading and spending time with her 3 grown up children and 7 grandchildren. Holly Tootell - Counsellor Holly has a BSc in Counselling and Therapeutic Studies and a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy, qualifying in 2016. Since 2013 she has been gaining experience in working in sensitive issues such as domestic abuse, working with both perpetrators and victims. She has also trained as group facilitator and specialist mental health mentor. She has been with Step 2 since July 2017, working with both children and their parents. Holly enjoys spending time with family (including the cats!), reading and being creative. Fiona Meneghello - Counsellor Fiona has a degree in youth work and a level 4 diploma in person centred counselling. She has over 10 years experience of working with and supporting people, mostly young people. Much of this work had been in the Holme Wood estate, but she also worked with the National Childbirth Trust supporting new parents across the whole of Bradford. Currently she works for step2 in school and at their Tong Street premises. Much of her spare time is spent with her young family, she can often be found crocheting slippers and is nurturing a keen interest in paddleboarding. Lauren Askins - Counsellor Lauren has a BSc in Therapeutic Counselling and is a registered member of the BACP. Lauren has worked therapeutically in Primary & Secondary schools across Bradford & Calderdale since 2017, and joined Step 2 in 2018, Prior to joining Step2 Lauren volunteered as a counsellor at Place2be. Lauren currently works on the CALM project at Step2, supporting young people who have early experiences of trauma, and in primary schools. In her spare time, she loves visiting the lake district & walking. Sarah Watson – Counsellor Sarah qualified as a Certified Play Therapist in 2019. She has worked as such in Primary schools as well as privately. Previously, having qualified as a Social Worker in London she worked for ten years in the adoption team in North Yorkshire. She joined Step2 in March 2020 (just before Lockdown!) as a Childrens Counsellor/Play Therapist on the Calm Project, and as a young person’s counsellor. Sarah is married with two teenage children. She enjoys spending time with family and friends as well as walking up hills or by the sea. Alison Wayman – Counsellor Alison is a qualified person-centred counsellor and member of the BACP who works with children, young people and adults in Kirklees, Calderdale and Bradford. She has over 25 years experience in working collaboratively with young people in educational and community settings. She has been counselling young people at Step 2's premises, at Sunny Bank in Wyke and online since 2019. Alison also works in schools for Noah's Ark, Halifax, and is a volunteer counsellor at Overgate Hospice in Elland. She loves films and theatre and is still trying to get better at yoga. Lil Anderson - Counsellor Lil has a Diploma in Person Centred Counselling and qualified as a counsellor in 2020. She joined Step 2 on qualification having previously gained experience working with BRAVE Project in Bradford and Marie Curie. Lil continues to provide counselling on a voluntary basis for Marie Curie alongside her role at Step 2. Lil works two evenings per week with extended access clients. When not working she enjoys camping trips, country pubs and walking in the dales with her young family. Katy Armitstead - Counsellor Katy holds a Diploma in Person Centred Counselling and has several years’ experience of counselling young people at Bradford College and the University of Bradford. She has extensive experience of working with a diverse range of people, including in crisis support and at a homelessness charity, and now manages a local charity supporting asylum seekers in Bradford. Katy joined Step2 in April 2020. Katy enjoys running, hiking, travelling and has an addiction to buying books! Emma Johnston - Counsellor Emma has a Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling, a Certificate in couples counselling, a Diploma in Personal training and a Diploma in pilates matwork. She has a Private Practice and volunteers at a local low cost counselling service and within a school for Place2Be. She has done a variety of youth work and has been with Step2 since 2020. She is married with 2 children and a step child. Pre COVID Emma would be at her happiest in the gym lifting weights but is adapting to a new normal. Kate Parr - Counsellor Kate has a Diploma in Person Centred Counselling and is an accredited registrant with the National Counselling Society. Before joining Step 2 in 2020, Kate volunteered with Mosaic 2, a specialist counselling service in Bradford and supported survivors of sexual abuse. For the last 5 years she has worked with young people, securing opportunities in work, training and apprenticeships. In her spare time she enjoys walking, cycling and camping. Julia Tiplady - Counsellor Julia has a level 4 diploma in person-centred counselling, and is trained in bereavement work and understanding children and young people’s mental health. Julia joined Step 2 as a counsellor in June 2020. She has experience in supporting people who have suffered trauma in their lives. Her experience is from a personal and professional background working in the emergency services. She volunteers for Cruse bereavement, and a local counselling service. Julia loves being outdoors, walking, and being with nature. Penny Kelly - Counsellor Penny has a Level 4 diploma in person centred counselling and is also trained in bereavement work. She’s worked with primary school children for seven years and is a volunteer counsellor at Overgate Hospice. Penny joined Step 2 in November 2020 as a sessional counsellor in primary schools. When she’s not spending time with her family, you’ll find her running away from them in the hills or hiding behind a book. Izzy Balla - Counsellor Izzy has a Level 4 Person-Centred Diploma. She has worked for several years with young people in a voluntary capacity and also still volunteers as a counsellor with Place2Be in school and as a counsellor at The Marketplace, which is an organisation for young people based in Leeds. She joined Step 2 in November 2020, working in schools. Izzy is married with 3 children and in her leisure time she enjoys days out with family, painting, reading, baking and Zumba. Kirsty H - Counsellor Kirsty has worked in lots of different jobs and places over the years before qualifying as (person-centred) counsellor a few years ago. Joining Step2 as a counsellor in November 2020 follows previous counselling work in another community setting, and now runs alongside a small counselling private practice, work as a tutor/facilitator on counsellor training courses, and a different role in another local charity. Spare time interests include being outdoors, design/construction and food. Yvonne Hockey - Counsellor Yvonne qualified as a person-centred counsellor in 2007 and is a registered member of the BACP. She has over 20 years’ experience of working in various roles with Adults and with Children, Young People, and their families within educational settings and out in the community. She has also volunteered for several agencies over the years, and has worked with Step 2 in a range of settings since February 2021. In her spare time, Yvonne enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She also likes running, walking, cooking and loves going to the theatre. Pippa Jones - Chair of Trustees Pippa is an accountant by profession and currently has a headquarters finance role for the Ministry of Justice, having previously had various finance roles in the prison service and housing. She spent 2 years in the late 1990s as a VSO volunteer in Ghana training accountants for the government. Pippa has been a trustee of Step 2 since 2002 and chair since early 2017. She is a member of two choirs, Leeds Festival Chorus and Orion chamber choir, and also enjoys reading and knitting. Lesley Bartlett - Trustee Lesley has a BA (Hons) in working with young people and young people’s services and has a Postgraduate Certificate in Special Educational Needs. She works at a local primary school as the Deputy Special Educational Needs Coordinator and Nurture Manager and is also a governor of the school. She has been a trustee at Step 2 since 2008, and is now secretary. She also volunteers for The Life Centre’s streetwise project. She is married with two grown up daughters and in her spare time she enjoys walking, listening to live music, and DIY. Helen Hodgson - Trustee Helen is a vicar in the Church of England, she lives and serves at a parish in Bradford. In the various parishes she has served in since she was ordained in 2004, Helen has been involved in working with young people from the local area and building links with the community. Before becoming a vicar Helen worked at a residential school for young people with additional needs and later supporting vulnerable adults living independently in the community. Helen became a Step 2 Trustee in January 2018. She enjoys walking her crazy spaniel on the moors and catching up with her family. Julie Walker - Trustee Julie is a registered nurse and midwife and has a degree in Health Sciences (Midwifery). She joined Step2 as a trustee in July 2017 following a long career in the NHS working for Bradford’s maternity services. She worked in both community and hospital settings gaining many skills which will be beneficial to Step 2. Since retiring Julie has become a humanist celebrant (for non religious funerals). She has a grown-up family, enjoys running, is learning Spanish and likes getting out in the sunshine in Yorkshire and sometimes in warmer places. Caroline Coombes - Trustee Caroline has worked as a local government officer in Bradford since 2004. She previously worked in a number of roles at a local government think tank based in London. Through her work, Caroline has been involved in a number of relevant policy areas such as children’s rights, young people’s involvement in community safety, young people’s mental health and engaging young people in local democracy. Caroline became a Step2 trustee in January 2018. She enjoys learning more about Bradford’s history and has been lucky enough to climb to the top of Bradford City Hall’s clock tower (226 feet!). Nikita Evans - Trustee Nikita Evans works as a Children’s/Youth Worker for CLiKS (Christian Links in Keighley Schools) as a Primary Schools worker. She grew up in the Holme wood area and attended the youth clubs at St. Christopher’s Church and Tong High School. She struggled a bit in high school and accessed Step 2’s services for support. This support was what led her to want to be a trustee of Step 2, as she understands first-hand how the services can benefit young people. Since becoming a Trustee in January 2018 she has been keen to help Step 2 grow and carry on the good work that they do. Javed Khan - Trustee Javed has a strong background in community development and a clear commitment to working for positive change. He has worked in and around West Bowling and the little Horton ward for over 20 years. He has been at the helm of West Bowling Community Advice and Training Centre since 2007, and is CEO of CNET, Bradford District’s community empowerment network. He also spent several years as the chair of the board, responsible for giving the public a powerful voice to influence health and social care services. He has been a Trustee at Step 2 since May 2018. Sunjay Chauhan - Trustee Sunjay is our latest Trustee joining us is 2020. He is a Mortgage Broker by day, who loves to help people realise their dreams towards home ownership. Having a successful career within the financial services sector for the past 10 years and decades of Management experience he now wants to help Step 2 by providing direction and guidance to ensure the charity is delivering the best service in the market. Sunjay has a grown up daughter and loves to holiday and enjoy the outdoors when its sunny.