Staff
The people at LCET and Youthscape are our greatest asset. Their commitment, passion and skills are what help us make a real difference in the lives of young people.
Ruth Bennett
Staff member since: 1998
Role: Head of HR and Operations for Youthscape
Ruth has been involved in youth work for 16 years. She has a Masters Degree in Youth Ministry and Theological Education from Kings College London, with her first degree being in Fine Art. Starting in LCET as a chaplain, helping young people develop holistically and healthily, Ruth now spends most of her time mentoring staff to do the same. A gifted communicator and teacher, Ruth is also responsible for developing policies and procedures within the organisation. Ruth oversees the operational management of Youthscape.
Kal Budwal
Staff member since: 2006
Role: Finance Director of Youthscape
Kal worked in the Corporate Business Sector for over thirty three years with extensive experience in finance before taking on the role at LCET. He spent fifteen years in the motor industry before moving into the rag trade in London’s Oxford Street for eight years and then taking up a post in Hertfordshire leading a finance team in a large catering company. Kal and his wife Wendy were also youth leaders at a local church for fifteen years and still continue to work with young people.
Chris Curtis
Staff member since: 1993
Role: Chief Executive of Youthscape
Chris trained in law at the University of Bristol before moving on to work in schools as a youth worker in the early 1980's. He became the first member of staff at LCET in 1993 and in April 2011, he became Chief Executive of Youthscape. In 2001 Chris completed a Master Degree at the University of Birmingham in Educational Psychology (Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties). He writes and speaks widely on education, culture and young people. Both he and his wife Helen are registered Foster Carers and have two children of their own.
Alex Drew
Staff member since: 2010
Role: Chaplaincy worker
Having graduated from Cambridge University with a degree in Education with English and Drama, Alex worked as Team Leader for a schoolswork charity in Letchworth for two years. Whilst there she continued to pursue new learning experiences and studied contextual theology through St Mellitus College. Alex then spent a year travelling the globe with her husband through Soul Survivor, exploring church and other cultures and joined LCET as part of the Chaplaincy team in September 2010. Alex works for the Chaplaincy Team in Lealands, Lea Manor and Icknield.
Rosie Knott
Staff member since: 2010
Role: Chaplaincy worker
Rosie spent three years in North Wales at Bangor University studying Psychology, specialising in Clinical and Health Studies. She continued her volunteer youth work in a part-time capacity in 2009 by working with the Methodist Church on their 'One Programme' year out scheme. She has had some interesting hobbies both past and present including synchronised swimming, badminton, running, scuba diving, reading and even paying to jump out of a plane. Rosie works for the Chaplaincy team in Stopsley, Barnfield West and Lea Manor.
Lynsey Johnston
Staff member since: 2006
Role: LCET Director
Lynsey lived in Luton until she was nineteen when she took the opportunity to study vocals for two years at the Nexus Academy in Coventry. After this, she returned to her home town to begin working with LCET as the children in care specialist. Lynsey has developed and implemented the support that LCET offers to those in the care system including the group programmes, the 'See Me' art project, and a skills course for young people about to transition into independent living. In April 2011, she took on the role of LCET Director and now leads and oversees the work we do in Luton.
Jane Malcolm
Staff member since: 2007
Role: Chaplaincy Director
During her University years Jane volunteered for re:generation, a schools work project in Harrow. She completed her degree from London School of Theology in Music, Worship and Theology in 2007 and joined the Chaplaincy team in September of that year majoring her work in Lea Manor and Lealands. Jane is now the Chaplaincy Director and is responsible for strategically leading the work of the team within Luton secondary schools as well as working specifically in Cardinal Newman and Putteridge.
Grace Read
Staff member since: 2010
Role: Re-engagement worker specialising in self worth and body image
Grace studied Psychology and English at Keele University, focussing on special educational needs and behaviour management in mainstream education. After graduating, she worked as a learning mentor for nearly 5 years. During her time as a mentor, Grace began experimenting with creative methods of successfully engaging disengaged pupils. Grace has developed our work with young people who are struggling with their body image and is also LCET's Volunteer Coordinator.
Jason Royce
Staff member since: 2009
Role: Re-engagement Director
Jason Royce has been working with young people for the past 10 years. As a Connexions Personal Adviser and Team Manager he has worked in schools across Luton, Bedford, and London to help young people explore their options and motivations towards Education, Employment, and Training. Jason is also a JNC qualified Youth Worker, having training with the Centre for Youth Ministry, and has lived in Luton throughout his life. Jason joined LCET as the Compass Director but now strategically leads the work of the Re-engagement team in Luton secondary schools and is also LCET's Camp Director.
Tim Sandford
Staff member since: 2010
Role: Chaplaincy Worker
Tim studied Sport and Maths at Loughborough University and went on to train as a Maths Teacher. He has experience working in schools as a teacher and as a member of a learning support department. From 2007 to 2008, he spent a year serving local churches in Loughborough and receiving training as part of a Pioneer initiative known as DNA. Tim works as part of the Chaplaincy team in Barnfield South and Cardinal Newman and strategically leads b.1 cafe.
Johnny Scott
Staff member since: 2009
Role: Re-engagement worker specialising in Compass and Survival School programmes
Johnny joined the Compass Team in 2009 having spent 7 years with The Salvation Army in both rural and urban settings. Working with young people both in and out of a school environment, he uses his passion for playing sport to engage young people and to build mentoring relationships with them. Johnny went to University in Luton and graduated as is a JNC qualified youth worker in 2006. Johnny became a Re-engagement worker in September 2011 and specialises in our Compass and Survival School programmes. He is currently studying for a BA (Hons) degree in Child and Adolescent Studies.
Amy Stock
Staff member since: 2005
Role: schoolswork.co.uk Director
Amy studied for a music degree at City University, London, before going on to teach in Sevenoaks, Kent. She moved to Devon in 2003 to train with South West Youth Ministries in youth and schools work. In 2005 she moved to Luton, joining the chaplaincy team to work in Cardinal Newman and Icknield High School. In November 2007, Amy took on the role of Director for schoolswork.co.uk, a project for resourcing, inspiring and training Christian visitors to schools across the UK. schoolswork.co.uk is a part of Youthscape.
Nicki Summerson
Staff member since: 2002
Role: Office Manager of Youthscape
Nicki has a background in finance and administration and has been involved in youth work for twenty years. At Youthscape, her role includes adminstrating all parts of Youthscape including LCET, schoolswork.co.uk and selfharm.co.uk. Nicki has a son called Ben and is a keen photographer, a skill she regularly uses wthin her role.
Claire Yuen
Staff member since: 2008
Role: Re-engagement worker specialising in Anger and ADHD
Claire trained in graphic design in Luton before going on to assist with the University in their chaplaincy department. She then worked at a local charity for the homeless as a drug and alcohol worker and later as a manager. Her first contact with LCET was as a volunteer at a residential summer camp, which led to more regular volunteering and eventually a full time role on the Therapeutic team. Claire became a Re-engagement worker in September 2011 and leads our work with young people who have ADHD and are struggling to understand and manage their anger. Claire is also LCET's Intern Manager.
Donna Wade
Staff member since: 2010
Role: Re-engagement worker specialising in self harm
Donna gained a degree in psychology at the University of Hertfordshire and went on to apply this to working with children and young people in a variety of settings and with varying emotional, behavioural and special education needs. Donna worked at a school in Luton for 18 months and volunteered on a LCET summer camp before joining the therapeutic team to specialise in self harm. She also supports young people online by working alongside selfharm.co.uk. Donna became a Re-engagement worker in September 2011 and leads our work with young people who self harm including offering training for professionals and raising awareness in schools.
Rachel Welch
Staff member since: 2010
Role: selfharm.co.uk Director
Rachel has been involved with LCET since 1993, which includes volunteering for a year as part of the original intern programme in 1996. She has spent the last 12 years working in the care sector, with 6 of those as a Mental Health Advocate in a Medium Secure Hospital. Rachel sat on the advisory group of selfharm.co.uk before taking up post as Project Director in 2010. She is studying for a degree in Mental Health & Child and Adolescent Psychology, and lives in Norfolk with her husband Mark and their young son Rudy and new daughter Pearl. Rachel is currently on maternity leave so please contact Lillie Jenkins at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for any enquiries.
