Meet the team

Cheryl Hey

Cheryl Hey

Founder, Director and Project Leader

This idea was birthed in September 2022 when I was running Slaithwaite Youth Club for Kirklees Youth Alliance. KYA was looking for a charity or CIC to take over the club. It was evident at a meeting I had the skills, passion and commitment to set up my own CIC. With the support from Susan Greenwood we made it happen and here we are running various youth projects for young people in Kirklees and the surrounding areas. The journey has been incredible, I love working with young people and watching them grow into their full potential. This work has always been a calling for me and now we are making changes that is very much needed for the young people and our future.

Lewis Ola

Lewis Ola

Founder, Director and Session Leader

It’s amazing to be part of a talented and passionate team where I can use all of my experience to help build a service that has a positive impact for so many young people.

Susan Greenwood

Susan Greenwood

Director

Susan Greenwood is the CEO of local youth work infrastructure charity, Kirklees Youth Alliance, and before that had a 23 year career in social housing of which the last 14 of those was focussed on teenagers tenancies and child safeguarding. Outside of paid work, Susan volunteers for two local youth organisations in Huddersfield. She is passionate about positive outcomes for young people.

 

Tracy McMahon

Tracy McMahon

Director

I have over 25yrs experience of working with young people in various settings, such as centre based, outreach & detached youth work. I am passionate about ensuring the needs of young people are met. As one of the directors of Youth Matters, I am able to share my knowledge & experience to support the development of positive practice. I feel privileged to be part of this amazing team.

Suzanne Wilson

Suzanne Wilson

Director

I am proud to be part of the Youth Matters team albeit in a subtle way. A mother, small business owner and a work history in both public, private and charitable youth work mine and Cheryls paths crossed some years ago. Having known each other personally for many years proceceeding, our youth work professional paths came together 10 years ago. Quite by chance I worked part time as an assistant youth worker, at the youth group were Cheryl had her Uni placement. From the offset it was clear Cheryl had a magical presence with young people. Wholly natural. Since then we both enjoyed seperate youth work journey’s, coming together again when I started a youth group for the benefit of home educated young people and thier families. Now fully qualifed having Cheryl as our youth work lead was a blessing. Not only for our young people but for myself as project coordinator. Pavilion Youth Club was extradinarly good. Thanks to the staff team. Cheryl and Lewis were incredible. As colleagues, mentors and ambassadors. Without question the best. The heartbeat of youth work, and youth advocacy. Sadly the pandemic stopped Pavilion Youth Hub in it’s tracks, so when I heard Cheryl was ready to share her sparkle with Youth Matters, how I could I refuse? My input is almost seditory these days, but I know our shared past experiences are now the present once more. Youth Matters care. A team with heart and passion. I’m personally very happy to know that they havent forgotten the home ed community, as this means a lot to me on a personal level. Its an honour to be part of this team.

Charlotte Barrow

Charlotte Barrow

Youth Support Worker

My name’s Charlotte and I’ve been volunteering with Youth Matters since March 2023. I’ve loved getting to know the young people who attend our sessions, guiding them through activities and watching them achieve different goals that they set their minds to! I especially enjoy assisting them with crafting and baking, helping them to follow recipes and to create using their amazing imaginations!

Neive Shields

Neive Shields

Youth Volunteer

I like volunteering at Youth Matters because I can make a positive impact on the young people by guiding them on the right path and helping towards their personal growth as well as my own. I can also teach them skills and hobbies that I have talents in such as art activities.

Nat Wright

Nat Wright

Youth Support Worker

Working at Youth Matters Kirklees is a joy for me. We’re so lucky to work with these amazing young people who are so full of life, kindness and talent. We’ve got a great team and I learn so much every week as well as having the honour of passing on some of what I know to the young people.

Lucy Wood

Lucy Wood

Youth Support Worker

I have been a staff member at Youth Matters Kirklees for nearly a year and I have enjoyed every moment and opportunity that has come my way. I love meeting and communicating with all the incredible young people and watching them flourish and become more confident every week. Youth Matters Kirklees really is a great place to work and a great place for the young people of our community to come, participate in activities and enjoy.

Sara Ahmed

Sara Ahmed

Youth Support Worker

Working with youth at Youth Matters Kirklees is an amazing experience because they are the most engaging and intriguing audience you can work with. Our team is brilliant and we create an environment to let our youth to relax and have fun in a natural way. As an adult I take charge when necessary and support our youth with fully understanding as they have the same rights and culture as adults.

Our services and projects

Slaithwaite Youth Club

NCS Dewsbury

NCS Huddersfield

Home Ed Youth Club

Detached/Outreach

Haf Holiday Programmes

One of the best decisions I ever made was offering a contract for youth services to Cheryl for the running of Slaithwaite Youth Clubs. She is the most dedicated Youth Worker I’ve had the pleasure to work with. I’m so proud to have helped her get her own social enterprise up and running 😊

- Susan Greenwood

My daughter has really enjoyed the social aspect of the local youth club run by Cheryl. She is allowed to be her authentic self in a fun, creative, safe and supportive environment. She has enjoyed all the different activities, especially meeting professionals from different working backgrounds. She has also enjoyed meeting new friends and has felt like a valued member of the club. This is much needed service that my daughter would sorely miss if it wasn’t available.

- Sam Allan

My daughter absolutely loves coming to youth club. She has learned how the tuck shop works and money matters, how to cook chip butties, toasties, hot chocolate and many more. Every week is a new adventure with new friends.

- Jemma Marshall

My son loves youth club, he is encouraged to explore activities he will enjoy and to take part in new activities, he may not have attempted. He has made loads of friends, he is given space to interact with those friends or just sit on his own and people watch if he is tired or overstimulated. He looks forward to the school holidays ending, because then youth club starts up again.

- Gail Sykes

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