Linda has worked in the community with young people and families for around 9 years.She started out as a mentor to care leavers, with ‘It’s your choice’. She moved on to be a youth worker with a Christian company called Alabare, where she spent 3 years working alongside homeless young people with drug related issues and in many cases mental health issues.

For the past 5 years she has worked at Totton College as a college welfare officer which involves working with troubled teenagers and families covering all kinds of issues but homelessness seems to be high on the agenda, alongside sexual health and emotional problems. She has studied a higher education certificate in community development at Winchester Uni and is currently studying a degree in applied theology, community and family studies at Moorlands Bible College.

Linda has worked for YFM as a Family Worker for the past year

Her main responsibilities include

• Supporting families through one to one or small group work
• Setting up new projects in response to the needs of local families

Paula trained as a youth worker with Youth for Christ working in several secondary schools and youth clubs in the Midlands. She then went on to become a student progress mentor at one of the schools gaining an NOCN in counselling skills.

She maintains her professional development, having completed courses in

•Supporting Parents of Teenagers
•Self Esteem
•Information, Advice and Guidance

Paula works part-time as a student welfare officer at Totton College, along with Linda Smith.

Paula has worked for YFM over the last 7 years as a Family Worker.

Her main responsibilities include ….

•Supporting families through the Coffee drop-in
•Supporting families through one to one work