About
Our team is here to help people with experience of care and to work with others to change ‘care’ and the ‘care system’ for the better.
The chance to listen and chat to both local care experienced individuals, and those from Scotland, was both constructive and eye opening…I will continue to advocate for the rights of care leavers and highlight the responsibilities of all of us.
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It is a privilege to hold this role with Jersey Cares. It breaks my heart that children can move from a tricky situation at home to a ‘system’ where too often bureaucracy and processes don’t leave enough room for a secure childhood. There are great examples of tenacious people who help create such a childhood and we need to learn from those examples just as we need to acknowledge and address the repetitious and predictable flaws in the current ‘system’.
I believe fervently that it is possible, here in Jersey, for ‘care’ to be excellent. It is my strongest hope that Jersey Cares is a catalyst for more people to support more children to be loved and cared for and that ‘care’, in Jersey, is shaped by deep reflection on lived experience.
I have worked in community development for 20 years; 10 of those in leadership roles. I’ve worked with people experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, struggling with literacy and being a parent and co-created projects with people affected by these issues. I hold a Post-graduate certificate and a Masters in Community Education from the University of Edinburgh.
“I believe that children and young people who grow up in care should feel loved, have a strong sense of belonging and be able to access opportunities that will allow them to thrive and realise their best selves.”
Nicki has spent seven years working with Who Cares? Scotland, who offer independent advocacy to children, young people and adults who have experience of care. There, she managed the North East team. She can see that the potential and willingness to champion advocacy and participation could lead to a considerable shift in how children and young people are listened to and included in decisions that impact on both their here and now, and future selves.
Nicki is a qualified Youth and Community Worker and has worked with children and young people for over thirty years. She began her work in Surrey developing the County’s detached youth work and gender focused activities. She has also worked in drugs and alcohol harm reduction, recovery from abuse and children’s rights. In her role at Who Cares? Scotland, Nicki has campaigned for children and young people to be heard and included in things that affect their lives and has challenged negative views of children and young people that cause stigma.
Nicki has strong values of honesty, integrity and respect and always puts ‘voice’ at the centre of her work. She has a strong sense of justice and has spent her career trying to make systems work for individual people rather than fitting people into one system.
“I feel extremely privileged to be supporting and assisting the Jersey Cares team and the wonderful work they do”.
As the Business & Events Manager, Emma’s role is to support
our work by ensuring the team are
supported and our background work runs smoothly, and by reaching out into the community to build
recognition and support from Islanders.
Emma’s working background is in Finance and Family Offices
where she has held roles in accounting and administration. Emma has also gained
invaluable and varied experience by running her own successful businesses.
“My core belief is that every person regardless of their background has the right to feel safe, loved, listened to and valued. Communities have the power to implement change and to support, develop, influence, and create meaningful opportunities. I feel privileged to be a part of Jersey Cares, advocating alongside people with lived care experience”.
Bryony’s work has spanned education, health and children’s rights with a focus on individual and collective advocacy, in Jersey and the UK. In her role as Children’s Rights Officer at the Office of the Children’s Commissioner for Jersey, Bryony supported the Youth Advisory Group to advise, challenge and guide the work of the Office. She worked alongside children and young people to develop projects, seek their view and uphold their rights. She also facilitated the participation of young people at the European Network of Young Advisors (ENYA) where they were one of 17 nations represented. Further she supported many island schools to become ‘rights respecting’ and meaningfully embed these rights in their practice.
In Bryony’s most recent role as an advocate for children receiving palliative care, she worked closely with children and their families in a trauma-informed, play-based, attentive manner. This allows for their views of children to be shared in some detail with medical professionals, positively impacting their experience and their care.
In her spare time Bryony enjoys going for beach walks with her two dogs, eating massive amounts of pasta, and playing (and loosing!) at Bingo.
Hello I am Alice.
“I believe in the goodness of people and feel extremely lucky to work alongside the amazing and dedicated team at Jersey Cares. I want to make a positive difference to the lives of care experienced people in a sensitive and meaningful way. I believe that in order to properly understand people’s experiences, we must approach with open curiosity, and humble acknowledgement that we know nothing until we allow them to speak their truth.”
Alice moved to Jersey from Sheffield in 2013 and fell in love with its people, scenery, and outdoor way of life. At the University of Sheffield, Alice completed a BA in Sociology, a Masters degree in International Childhood Studies, and completed her PhD thesis on the subject of young people’s understanding and experiences of the body using participatory, child-led research methods.
Alice’s previous roles include Education Welfare Officer where she supported young people to improve their school attendance, forming part of the pastoral team at Hautlieu school. Alice has also worked as an Education and Wellbeing Assistant Specialist for Brook Jersey, offering sessions on sexual health and positive relationships in schools, Youth Clubs and at the Brook Jersey clinic.
Alice trained as a Youth Worker with Jersey Youth Service and holds a diploma in Youth and Community Development from De Montfort University. As part of her Youth Work role, Alice ran La Pouquelaye Youth Project, St Mary’s Youth Project, and Achieve sessions for The Princes Trust.
In her spare time, Alice swims in the sea all year round, practises meditation and yoga, and enjoys growing vegetables and flowers in her allotment. Alice volunteers as a Sessional Youth Worker at St Brelade’s Youth Project. Alice is an avid reader of fiction, and her favourite author is Hilary Mantel. Alice loves to learn new things, particularly about different types of music, writing or art, by hearing more about the interests of the young people she works alongside.
“A strong belief of mine is that everyone deserves to be not just heard but listened to. I have strong values of trust, honesty and doing the right thing. Through my role in Jersey Cares I want to make a real impact within my community which historically has been reluctant to change.”
Sheldon’s professional background is in early years development and education where he spent time in a private nursery and multiple years working in a school for those with additional needs in various roles ranging from teaching assistant to manager of the holiday school.
Sheldon spent a year in New Zealand as an Au pair where he worked with a disabled father and his child. He saw firsthand the impact the father’s disability had on his child and how it affected every aspect of their lives. The experience he gained there will stay with him for life and gave him a real insight into how other countries accommodate those with additional needs.
During these experiences Sheldon has seen the impact that truly listening to children and young people can have and it’s driven him to want to be a part of change. By joining Jersey Cares Sheldon hopes he can make a lasting positive impact alongside those he works with.
Outside of work Sheldon spends his time working on, cleaning and driving his classic car, playing video games with his friends, or playing tabletop games as part of a larger community.
Ian has been a member of the States Assembly since 2005. He has been Chief Minister, Minister for Treasury and Resources, and is currently Minister for External Relations. He requested the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry 2017 as Chief Minister. Ian was part of our 2018 Jersey cohort to Scotland to learn best practice and form a blueprint for Jersey to transform their care of children.
“I feel very strongly that the circumstances of a person’s birth and upbringing should not limit their opportunities in life.’
Siobhan was previously partner at law firm Carey Olsen. For 25 years she acted for trust companies, family offices and high net-worth individuals and advised financial services companies on operational issues.
Siobhan is well regarded in the legal profession, having been consistently recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners. She has also been listed in the Legal 500 Hall of Fame and recognised in Legal Week’s Private Client Global Elite listings. Siobhan is a firm believer in Jersey Cares and supports our work from a legal perspective.
As one of my family members has benefitted from the care system, I am committed to supporting and promoting an effective and cohesive framework for all children and young adults in care in Jersey.
I am also a Client Services Director at Vistra Trust Company (Jersey) Limited, and I am regularly involved in the management of trustee, regulatory and legal matters; my corporate and trustee background assists me hugely in my role on the board of Jersey Cares
Lisa’s involvement in Jersey Cares is driven from her own experience of growing up in care in Jersey. She notes:
‘Many of the issues I faced as a result of my childhood circumstances, continue to be issues for children in Jersey and this is simply unacceptable. I sincerely support and believe in the work being undertaken by Jersey Cares’.
Lisa is an Advocate of the Royal Court of Jersey, a Solicitor of England and Wales with over 20 years’ experience in the legal industry advising on a wide range of corporate and commercial matters. Lisa is currently on a career break as she raises her young family.
“It is a complete privilege to be working for Jersey Cares. I am passionate about advocating for communities who haven’t been recognised and empowering individuals who face adversity.
My work is not just a job but a calling, driven by genuine desire to uplift others and foster meaningful change. My passion is rooted in a commitment to social justice; to amplify the voices of those that society often fails to recognise and ensure everyone feels seen, heard and valued.”
Christine has worked with children, young people and families for over 30 years both in Education and for local charities, most recently MIND Jersey in the Children’s and Young People’s Service.
Christine believes in the power of community and the positive effects this can have on people’s lives including a sense of belonging, purpose and opportunity. Outside of work Christine volunteers at a local football club which has over 370 young people playing football weekly, she can be found most weekends on the sideline of a football pitch cheering on the children.
As a mother of two children I understand the unique needs of our young people and strive to ensure their voices are heard and their rights respected.
In respect of his passion for the work of Jersey Cares, James explains:
‘Growing up in Jersey I experienced being homeless and the impact that had on me was deeply significant. Although I was fortunate to receive help from many kind people, the resources, and services available were severely lacking. It was largely through the assistance of a handful of charitable organisations that I managed to survive. Fortunately, I’ve since discovered pathways out of poverty and addiction. It brings me great happiness and meaning to be able to help and assist anyone in need of hope and support.’
James has extensive experience in the health and social care
sector. James is a British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
qualified Counsellor, a Chartered Manager who has managed community services
and has delivered specialist work with people with Autism, mental illness and
other complex conditions. Most recently James founded Island Home Care
with the aim of improving the lives of its clients through the delivery of high
quality, person centred, care and support. He holds a First Class Honours
degree focused on Psychology, Sociology and Counselling.
“My fundamental belief is that services and organisations, and by extension the people within them must ensure they remain relevant, compassionate and transparent in everything they do, working alongside” those they exist to serve, collectively striving to create a fairer society for all.”
Callum believes in the power of communities to enact real and meaningful change to ensure all children, young people and their families grow up loved and reach their full potential.
Callum is a qualified youth worker with a degree in Sociology. His work began over 10 years ago with a small children’s charity teaching music and has led projects around attainment, youth employability, reducing sectarianism & violence, access to the outdoors and community based youth work.
In his recent role with Who Cares? Scotland, Callum was part of the 1000 Voices Team that was commissioned by the Independent Care Review to help ensure lived experience was at the heart of the review process. Subsequently, Callum has supported local authorities across Scotland with their implementation of the review, embedding children’s rights, youth participation and system change into strands of work across local and national Governments.
Outside of work, Callum is also involved in the Scouting movement, previously as a Trustee of Scouts Scotland and now as their Lead Volunteer for Programme, supporting strategic partnerships to ensure scouts across Scotland are able to make a difference on the issues that matter most to them. Callum has also been part of the European Youth Agora supporting youth democracy projects across Scout organisations in Europe and a member of the World Scout Jamboree Planning & Management Teams, which brings together over 48,000 people from 170 countries
My name is Jake, and I grew up in the care system. After being moved from home to home I was lucky enough to find myself with the people who would become my family. I have been involved in Jersey Cares since the very beginning. My hope is to work towards a better care system for our young people, so they have somewhere to call home.
The form below enables members of the public to provide feedback to us on any
care service or care professional in which they have come into contact with.
