Meet The Team

The team are the beating heart of our service
Our Management team

Gary Barker

Director and
Nominated Individual
Director

Andrew Lewis

Registered Service Manager

Babita Mehta

24/7, UASC & Group living
Operational Manager and
Safeguarding Lead

Katie Baxter

Floating Support
Operational Manager and
Safeguarding lead
Our Admin Team

Kim Filin

Finance Manager

Ellie Barker

Finance Assistant

Alex Wheatley

Finance Assistant

Stevie Lacey

HR Manager & Payroll Officer

Amanda Smith

Senior HR Administrator & Recruitment

Chloe Nichols

HR Administrator & Recruitment

Laura Lim

Property Manager

Kirsty Blundel

Property Administrator

Sarah Bedford

Property Administrator

Gail Eames

Learning and Development Manager

Kimberley Dobson

Website manager, In House Trainer and Young Person Champion
Our Support Team
Youth Hubz recognises the need to ensure a staff with a special mix of personal qualities, experience, skills and knowledge, who are professionally committed, effectively trained and properly supported to deliver therapeutic support. Each team member is recruited using safer recruitment and vetting procedures designed to protect young people and to ensure the team is appropriately skilled and balanced. Our recruitment policy is in line with current legislation. All of the required checks and references are received and verified, induction training is completed and an enhanced DBS is returned and checked before staff are allowed to take up duties with our young people.

Jay Pantry

Team Leader
Team Leader

April Helliwell 

Team Leader
Team Leader
Keyworkers
We have a variety of Key Workers who work across 24/7, UASC and Floating support
alongside a team of frequent Bank Support Workers.
Here are some of our Keyworkers;

Gillian Royal

Floating Support Keyworker
Floating Support Keyworker

Vincent Francois

Floating Support Keyworker
Floating Support Keyworker

Stephanie Parker

Floating Support Keyworker
Floating Support Keyworker

Elizabeth Berry

Floating Support Keyworker
Floating Support Keyworker

Beth Craven

Floating Support Keyworker
Floating Support Keyworker

Joe Carey

Floating Support Keyworker
Floating Support Keyworker

Shane Collins

24/7 Support Keyworker
24/7 Support Keyworkers

Gemma Carr

24/7 Support Keyworker
24/7 Support Keyworkers

Joshua Roberts

24/7 Support Keyworker
24/7 Support Keyworkers

Clarissa Ranshaw

24/7 Support Keyworker
24/7 Support Keyworkers

Riziki Hamuli

24/7 Support Keyworker
24/7 Support Keyworkers

Charles Adumetey

24/7 Support Keyworker
24/7 Support Keyworkers

Jayne Olorunda

Floating Support Keyworker
24/7 Support Keyworkers

Bilikis Ibrahim

24/7 Support Keyworker
24/7 Support Keyworkers

Alex Clark

24/7 Support Keyworker
24/7 Support Keyworkers

Tara Davidson

24/7 Support Keyworker
24/7 Support Keyworkers

Amadou Diallo

24/7 Support Keyworker
24/7 Support Keyworkers

Jnai Johnson

24/7 Support Keyworker
24/7 Support Keyworkers

Joanne Whelan

24/7 Support Keyworker
24/7 Support Keyworkers

Fiona Robertshaw

24/7 Support Keyworker
24/7 Support Keyworkers

Jason Arrowsmith

24/7 Support Keyworker
24/7 Support Keyworkers

Maria Firth

24/7 Support Keyworker
24/7 Support Keyworkers

Jonathan Brodie

24/7 Support Keyworker
24/7 Support Keyworkers
Get to know us
You may be wondering exactly what is involved in working in supported accommodation. We catch up with some of the different team members to recount their experiences and give you an idea of what to expect working for us.

Being a team leader at UASC

December 2, 2024
We caught up with Jay Pantry, our dedicated team leader to ask a few questions about his role at Youth Hubz.
Read More

Day in Life : Registered Service Manager

September 16, 2024
We caught up with Andrew Lewis, our valued RSM to ask a few questions about his role at Youth Hubz.
Read More

Being a Keyworker: Insight from Beth Craven

September 16, 2024
We caught up with Beth Craven, our appreciated Keyworker to ask a few questions about her role at Youth Hubz.
Read More

Being a Bank Staff: Insight from Sarah Sharp

September 16, 2024
We caught up with Sarah Sharp, one of our Bank Staff Support Workers to ask a few questions about her role at Youth Hubz.
Read More

Being a Keyworker: Insight from Shane Collins

September 18, 2024
We caught up with Shane Collins, our valued Keyworker to ask a few questions about his role at Youth Hubz.
Read More
What’s Going On

Tender Opportunity

October 6, 2025

We are seeking proposals for the supply of Microsoft 365 migration, security hardening, endpoint protection, and device management across four domains. Closing date for submission of proposals – 20th October 2025 at 4pm. If you’re passionate about cybersecurity and committed to helping organisations build resilience, we want to hear from you

Read More

Your Voice Matters Event For Young People

October 6, 2025
Read More

Our 12-Month Photography Competition

June 11, 2025

At Care Hubz and Youth Hubz, we believe in celebrating creativity, self-expression, and the unique perspectives of our amazing staff and young people. That’s why we’re launching our first ever 12-month photography competition – a chance to showcase talent, tell stories through images, and contribute to something truly special! How it works Each month, participants […]

Read More

Christmas Magic at Youth Hubz: A December to Remember

December 31, 2024

The festive season has well and truly taken over at Youth Hubz, and what a joyful time it has been! December brought with it a flurry of holiday spirit, decorations, and activities that made this Christmas one to remember for everyone involved. Our placements were transformed into winter wonderlands with beautiful Christmas trees and festive […]

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What’s Been Happening at Youth Hubz This November

December 2, 2024

November has been an exciting month at Youth Hubz, filled with cultural celebrations, community events, and meaningful activities for our young people in supported accommodation. Here’s a look at what we’ve been up to this month! Celebrating Diwali We kicked off the month by celebrating Diwali, the Festival of Lights. Our young people participated in […]

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Christmas Gift Giving at Lineham Farm 🎄🎅🎁

December 31, 2024

This year Youth Hubz and Care Hubz are taking part in Christmas gift giving at Lineham Farm for Leeds Childrens Charity! If you would like to donate to this amazing charity you can do so by picking a tag of choice from our tree in reception at head office. Alternatively, if you won’t get chance […]

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Halloween at Youth Hubz: A Spooky and Fun-Filled Experience

October 30, 2024

As the air gets crisper and the nights grow longer, Halloween is just around the corner, and here at Youth Hubz, we’ve embraced the spooky season with open arms! From pumpkin picking adventures to creative workshops, our young people have been fully immersed in the spirit of Halloween, showcasing their creativity and teamwork. A Little […]

Read More

TEAM TEACH TRAINING

October 30, 2024

The staff at Care and Youth Hubz recently completed a comprehensive two-day training program on September 25th and 27th. The training was facilitated by our in-house team of experienced instructors, who are part of the organisation’s dedicated Training and Development division. The team teach training sessions covered a wide range of topics and skills essential […]

Read More
Work with us

WE ARE HIRING

Click on details to download our job descriptions. If you want to apply, you can download application forms below.
Support Worker
Full Time
Support workers will work under the general direction of the Youth Hubz managers and the Director and as part of a team to deliver a high standard of support to young people.

Support workers work as part of a rota system and evening and weekend availability is necessary.
Details
Bank Staff
Full Time
Bank staff will work under the general direction of the Managers and the Director and as part of a team to deliver high-quality support to young people. Bank staff work as and when required. Evening and weekend availability is necessary.
Details
Floating Support Worker
Full Time
Support workers will work under the general direction of the Youth Hubz managers and the Director and as part of a team to deliver a high standard of support to young people.

Support workers work as part of a rota system and evening and weekend availability is necessary.
Details

Download Documents

If you are interested in working with us, download application form from the download section
Application Form
Download Document
Pre-Employment Health Questionnaire
Download Document

Employment Benefits 

At Youth Hubz, we’re committed to supporting the people who make our work possible—our fantastic team. We believe in recognising and rewarding your contributions because it’s your dedication that enables us to provide exceptional care. Our comprehensive benefits range from specialised training and career development to perks like discounts through blue light membership and a “Recommend a Friend” scheme.
  • Free DBS
  • Training and Development
  • Blue Light Membership
  • Peer on peer recogniton
  • Additional annual leave
  • Employee Pension Scheme
  • Recommend a friend scheme
  • Employee Assistance Programe (EAP)
Giving young people, leaving care, the help and care they need to live independently...
  • 0113 870 6222
  • Info@youthhubz.org
  • YOUNGLIVESMATTER
UASC & Group Living Supported Accommodation
24/7 Supported Accomodation
Youth Hubz

April Helliwell

Team Leader
After leaving school, I worked in the textile industry for over 20 years. To support and encourage my daughter to attend college I completed an access to higher education course, where I had the chance to volunteer at a homeless shelter as part of the curriculum.

My passion for helping others then led me to start working with young people, initially in a mother and baby unit. In 2003, I joined Calderdale Council as a casual residential worker, becoming a permanent staff member in 2007. I then moved to a short break unit for children with learning disabilities in 2011, where I stayed until 2015 before changing my career path to focus more on support than care.

For the next 8 years, I had the privilege of supporting 16-18 year old care leavers, and I was even promoted to manager in 2018. It was a very rewarding experience, but I was eager for a new challenge when the opportunity to become a team leader working with Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC) became available. I'm really enjoying the new experiences and the chance to support these young people as they navigate the asylum process and work towards living independently developing skills for community safety and involvement, personal hygiene, and basis English.

Outside of work, I cherish my time with my children and grandchildren. It brings me great joy to be able to spend quality time with my loved ones.

Babita Mehta

24/7 Operational Manager
Babita has worked with children for over 20 years. She has worked in the Education sector in a safeguarding role, before transitioning into Safeguarding Lead with Youth Hubz Semi Independent Support where she has worked for the last 18months. She is currently completing Level 4 in Children, Young People and Families Practitioner and ensures she keeps up to date with her role by attending various Safeguarding Leadership courses with new legislation and guidance. Babita has been Safeguarding Lead since 2021. She supports the implementation of policies and procedures with safeguarding practices. She ensures staff are up to date with all the developments in child protection policy, research, practice and guidance. In 2023 Babita was promoted to Operational Manager for 24/7 support.

Gary Barker

Director
Gary opened Youth Hubz in 2019 with one property and 3 staff. The planning for this property was thorough. He recruited very experienced staff who had extensive knowledge and service with young people, one with 15 years at Barnardos and the other over 30 year in youth work. They opened a high spec flagship property. Gary studied the legislation, training and networking. He worked shifts as he felt it was positive that he could empathise with staff because of this. As the needs of the young people changed Youth Hubz adapted by adding trainer flats and floating support. Gary has worked on-call, completed and evaluated training, including c-card, safeguarding Leeds – and functioned as the manager until recruiting a highly experienced RSM. He kept abreast of regulations and legislation. He constantly develop my understanding of good practice in provider collaborations, networking with external agencies and attending Ofsted conferences. He is totally committed to providing the best possible service for the young people Youth Hubz supports. Gary is proud of what the team has achieved.

Andrew Lewis

Registered Service Manager
Andrew has worked with children and young people for over 20 years in coaching, education and support worker settings. Andrew was head of a physical education department within a secondary school, and this grounding within education, has helped with his transition into working with LAC, within a supported accommodation setting. Andrew was a manager of a supported accommodation 7 bed property, he always strives to deliver a quality service to all young people, to achieve positive outcomes, and for the young people to feel secure and safe. Andrew is very young people-centred, this is at the forefront of his work practice, and he always ensures that the high-quality standards match the thoughts and feelings of the young people. Andrew leads a team by example, fully understands the importance of the new Ofsted framework; to drive the standards and to keep the ‘bar’ high. Andrew has completed a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare.

In Andrew’s spare time he like to train towards his black sash in Wing Chun kung fu and enjoys spending time outdoors camping with family. Andrew loves all animals, and you will find a fish tank in his office!

Babita Mehta

24/7, UASC & Group living Operational Manager and Safeguarding Lead
Babita is a hardworking and dedicated Operations Manager who is often on the frontline, supporting 24/7, bank staff and young people with energy and commitment. With a proven track record of streamlining processes, optimising resources, and driving team performance, she ensures organisational goals are met while maintaining the highest standards of compliance and quality. She thrives in dynamic environments where collaboration and problem-solving are key, bringing clarity and structure to complex situations. Her strong background in rota planning, staff coordination, and stakeholder communication enables smooth operations and positive outcomes for teams and clients alike.

Passionate about people development, Babita prioritises training, mentoring, and fostering a supportive culture that empowers individuals to excel. Her approach blends strategic thinking with hands-on leadership, ensuring sustainable results and a workplace where both staff and young people feel valued and supported. She is skilled in operational planning and management, team leadership and development, compliance and quality assurance, process improvement and resource optimisation, and stakeholder engagement. Always open to connecting with professionals who share her commitment to excellence, innovation, and making a difference in frontline services, Babita brings both vision and dedication to every role she undertakes.

Katie Baxter

Floating Support Operational Manager and
Safeguarding lead
Katie has worked with children and young people while working for Leeds City council where she worked for 18 years. Katie has worked for the Anti-Social Behaviour Team within her role she has supported young people with improving their lives for the better. She is currently studying a degree within Youth Justice Studies. Katie started at Youth Hubz in February 2023 Katie worked as an ad hoc support worker with young people in 24/7 and floating support before transitioning into floating support. Katie is committed to ensuring that our Young People are supported in their transition into independence and has their needs at the forefront of every choice they make which will shape their future. Supporting and guiding every young person into adulthood ensuring they have the best outcome make positive steps with the next journey in life. In katie personal time you will find katie at the farm where she has her own horse which she loved to ride. Katies has had a successful background in white collar boxing. she loves to ride her horse and you will often find her at stables when not working.

Kim Filin

Finance Manager
Kim became part of the Youth Hubz team in 2021 when she joined as the Finance Manager. Returning from maternity leave and ready for a new challenge, she was the very first member of the accounts department. Since then, she’s played a central role in shaping the organisation’s financial systems and building the accounting team to support Youth Hubz’s continued growth.

Kim was also key in launching Care Hubz, ensuring its financial sustainability from the beginning. She’s incredibly proud of how far the company has come in such a short time.

Working across both Youth Hubz and Care Hubz, Kim finds her role deeply rewarding—especially seeing the real impact their work has on young people and staff alike. She’s proud of everything the team has accomplished and is excited about what the future holds

Ellie Barker

Finance Assistant
I am an Account Assistant currently completing a Level 2 Accounting qualification while working at Youth Hubz and Care Hubz since December 2021. I began my journey with the organisation in an administrative role, which gave me a solid foundation before moving into accounting. Today, I support the finance team with a range of responsibilities including managing petty cash, handling credit card transactions, and assisting with budgets. My apprenticeship has played a key role in strengthening my understanding of accounting principles through real-world application.

Alongside my accounting duties, I also organise events for staff and young people to celebrate key moments throughout the year. This is one of the most rewarding parts of my role, as it allows me to build meaningful relationships and contribute to a positive and engaging environment.

Alex Wheatley

Finance assistant
 Alex is the third member of the finance team and works alongside Kim and Ellie. He has worked for the company since July 2021. During this time, he has developed his role and is currently working on his NVQ level 2.

Alex is interested in rock music and enjoys attending concerts and festivals. He likes travelling and has recently visited Amsterdam and Prague. His main interest is in computers and he studied at Thomas Danby college to develop his IT skills. Alex is regularly called in the office to trouble-shoot with technical hitches.

Prior to working for Youth Hubz, Alex worked for Beyond Lettings answering queries, setting up viewings and inputting data.

Stevie Lacey

HR Manager & Payroll Officer
I'm Stevie, and my journey with Youth Hubz has been nothing short of transformative. Starting as an administrator when our team was just 10 strong and only 3 properties, I've had the privilege of growing alongside this organisation. Over the past 4 and a half years, I've seen Youth Hubz expand in ways I never imagined. From its humble beginnings to its status as a beacon of support for Youth Hubz, I have enjoyed every step of the journey. Now, as the HR Manager & Payroll Officer for both Youth and Care Hubz. My responsibilities span the entire spectrum of HR functions. It's a role that challenges me every day, but it's also incredibly rewarding to see the impact of our work on the lives of our staff and young people. In addition to my work at Youth Hubz, I'm also furthering my education. I'm currently working towards my CIPD level 5 HR consultant degree, eager to expand my knowledge and expertise in the field.

Amanda Smith

Senior Recruitment and HR administrator
Amanda is a dedicated and experienced Senior Recruitment & HR Administrator with four years of experience in human resources, specialising in employee relations and end-to-end recruitment. She brings a thoughtful and inclusive approach to HR practices, ensuring positive outcomes for both staff and organisational culture.

With over 15 years' experience working with young people across educational and community settings—including as a manager of an alternative provision—Amanda has developed exceptional interpersonal and leadership skills. Her unique background enables her to foster supportive, inclusive environments where people feel valued and empowered.

Known for her commitment and integrity, Amanda consistently goes above and beyond to support her colleagues and contribute to a positive workplace.

Chloe Nichols

Member
My journey with Youth and Care Hubz began in November 2022, starting with just two days a week supporting basic administrative tasks. Since then, I’ve grown into my current role as HR and Recruitment Assistant, having successfully completed my Level 3 HR Support Apprenticeship in January 2025. I now support the day-to-day HR operations and manage all aspects of the Safer Recruitment process to ensure we bring the right people into our team.

I’m extremely passionate about developing my career and growing alongside a dynamic and forward-thinking company in such a rewarding and impactful sector. One of the most fulfilling parts of my role is working with our young people—I love being part of organising events throughout the year that celebrate different cultures and occasions, which the young people always enjoy and look forward to.

Laura Lim

Property Manager
I have been working for Barkers Properties since 2022 and I am the Property Manager across the Hubz companies. I oversee everything property related, setting them up with tenancy agreements, utilities, insurance and creating systems to maintain these areas.  
I project manage while working closely with the Interior Designer, scheduling any works required within these properties before they open and in between placements for our Young People. I ensure our homes meet Health & Safety and Fire regulations, implementing the correct safety requirements and oversee maintenance works and property certificates.
Our property portfolio is constantly expanding, so my job role is always fast paced and exciting. Each day is never the same!

Kirsty Blundel

Property administrator
In my role as a Property Administrator I am responsible for keeping all our properties up date with any maintenance or repairs required, liaising with contractors and key workers to ensure all work required is completed in a timely manner and with the least disruption to our young people. I also ensure all property safety certificates are up to date and renewed when necessary, keeping all our properties up to the high standards we expect to ensure the young people have a safe comfortable home.

Sarah Bedford

Property administrator
Text coming soon

Gail Eames

Learning and Development Manager
 I am a mother of 4 and grandmother of 7 – I am very family orientated and am lucky enough that they all live close. I like to travel and have just returned from 6 weeks in Australia/ New Zealand and the smaller islands off the Barrier Reef. I enjoy staying in rural or coastal areas of Britain with my two very active dogs which require long walks. I have also organised and led 18 residential trips to outward bound centres where I have led activities like climbing, caving and gorge scrambling. I was part of an organised caving trip with one of the first four women cave leaders to descend into Bar Pot and travel through the entire Gaping Gill system to emerge from the main shaft.

I have worked with children and young people for my entire career in a variety of different roles.

I qualified as a teacher in 1978. In my first role i worked in an education setting with travelling children in Boston, Lincolnshire. Since then I have had 26 years of working in schools – at first as a class teacher and later as Assistant Head. Within the school setting I was responsible for teaching and learning, recruitment, supporting staff development, performance management, probation and student liaison. I attended management training courses and organised training to meet the needs of the teachers and support staff.

I also have a Social Care Qualification and 5 years’ experience of working in a large family group Children’s home in Leeds. My duties there included rota management, attending meetings, liaison with other professionals, transitioning children in and out of the home, organising group activities including holidays and day to day care tasks for the 20 children within the home.

I have now worked for Youth Hubz for 4 years. I am currently the Learning and Development Manager for both Youth Hubz and Care Hubz.

Kimberley Dobson

In house trainer
and Online media lead
In 2021 Kim started at Youth Hubz, preliminary as a key worker in supported accommodation and quickly rising through the ranks to become a senior keyworker and team leader. Kim became Youth Hubz in house trainer in 2024 working with both staff and young people to upskill them on the company’s systems and training development. Kim is a dedicated medication trainer and PACE trainer who has also completed the comprehensive wellwave training program. She has also earned her Safeguard Lead certification, showcasing his commitment to promoting safety and well-being. Kim's innovative approach to supporting both young people and staff has been recognised, leading to her promotion to website manager, in-house trainer, across both Youth Hubz and Care Hubz in April 2025.

When she's not working, Kim can be found pursuing her passion for photography and spending time with her beloved pug.

Jay Pantry

Team Leader
Jay began his professional journey as an ad hoc member of staff while serving with the Airport Fire Service based at Church Fenton. He then transitioned to Youth Hubz full-time as a Keyworker. Through dedication and hard work, Jay was promoted to Team Leader and eventually moved to lead the Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC) service specifically. Jay has been with Youth Hubz for two years, where he has become an integral part of the team. He is the Key Trainer for Team teach, a program focused on positive behavioural support and physical intervention techniques. Additionally, Jay is trained in the comprehensive 3 in 1 program and has completed his Safeguard Lead training, demonstrating his commitment to ensuring safety and well-being. Jay's diverse background, combining experience in emergency services and youth support, underscores his versatile skill set and dedication to making a meaningful impact in the lives of young people.

Gillian Royal

Floating Support keyworkers
With a career spanning over 38 years, Gill has established herself as an experienced and compassionate professional in the field of youth work. After qualifying as a Youth worker in 1987, Gill went on to work in various settings, dedicating her time and expertise to empowering young people. From 1995 to 2019, she was a practitioner at Barnardo's, where she worked tirelessly with young people who were at risk of or involved in sexual exploitation. Since January 2021, Gill has taken on the role of a floating support worker for Youth Hubz, continuing her commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of the individuals she serves. In her personal time, Gill enjoys the simple pleasures of going on holiday and indulging in the timeless tradition of afternoon tea.

Vincent Francois

Floating Support keyworkers
Vince is a floating support worker at Youth Hubz. He joined the organisation in June 2023 and works full-time in this role, but also frequently assists in the 24/7 services.

For the past 17 years, Vince has been involved in the entertainment industry, where he's become a renowned artist within the music scene. Even with his busy schedule at Youth Hubz, Vince continues to create music in his spare time, sharing his talents with everyone. Vince came to Youth Hubz seeking a new challenge where he could give back to the younger generation. Although he had no prior work experience in this field, Vince has quickly adapted and become a highly valued member of the floating support team.

Vince really enjoys supporting the young people he works with, helping them engage in community activities, manage their budgets, and maintain healthy eating habits. He is a strong advocate for ensuring that the views, wishes, and feelings of the young people are heard and met. This recently led to Vince supporting a young person on an educational trip overseas.

Stephanie Parker

Floating Support keyworkers
As a Floating Support Worker, I support young people aged 18 and over in developing essential life skills and gaining the confidence needed to transition into independent living.

My role focuses on promoting independence by helping individuals build routines, manage tenancies, access services, and navigate adult responsibilities. With a person-centred approach, I aim to empower each young person to achieve their goals and thrive in adulthood.

Elizabeth Berry

Floating Support keyworkers
Lizzy joined Youth Hubz in November 2023, taking on the role of bank staff. In early 2024 she transitioned to become a key worker for the organisation's floating support services. Lizzy really enjoys the flexibility of floating and supporting the young people to live independently supporting with housing applications, bidding, budgeting and community engagement. In addition to her work at Youth Hubz, Lizzy has been employed in the education sector, specifically at a primary school, for the past 12 years

Beth Craven

Floating Support Keyworkers
Beth joined the Youth Hubz team in August 2023 as a keyworker. After finishing high school, Beth studied overseas in Bahrain for five years starting in 2013. When Beth returned to the UK in 2018, she began working in early years provisions before transitioning to supporting adults with additional needs, which she thoroughly enjoyed. However, when an exciting new opportunity arose at Youth Hubz, Beth seized the chance to take on a new challenge. Since joining the Youth Hubz team, Beth has done some incredible work with our harder to reach young people. She's developed such positive relationships and helped them work through their trauma and attachment issues. More recently, Beth has transitioned to our youth floating support service, where she helps young adults learn to live independently with no on site staff. When Beth isn't busy at work, you'll likely find her spending time with her beloved dog, Harper. They're the best of friends!

Joe Carey

Floating Support keyworkers
Joe joined Youth Hubz in January 2025 as a full-time Floating Support Worker, bringing with him a calm, compassionate approach and a genuine dedication to the wellbeing of young people.

In addition to his core role, Joe frequently supports the organisation’s 24/7 services, demonstrating his commitment to being present and available when he's needed most.

Outside of work, Joe is all about balance. He loves spending quality time with his family, catching football matches, gaming in his downtime, and cheering on his beloved Arsenal. His interests help him build easy rapport with the young people he supports, creating connections that make a lasting impact.

Joe is known around Youth Hubz for being dependable, approachable, and always up for a challenge, qualities that continue to make him an invaluable part of the team.

Shane Collins

24/7 Support Keyworkers
Shane has dedicated his career to supporting young people since leaving high school in 2009. He started as a sports coach with Leeds City Council, which led to his involvement with the Leeds Project Breeze program, where he worked with disadvantaged youth in the community. Shane then moved on to work for a project called Positive Futures, where he helped children from lower socioeconomic areas develop their confidence and build positive relationships. After his time with Leeds City Council, Shane decided to shift his focus to working with young adults with complex needs, a sector he found deeply rewarding. In July 2021 Shane seized the opportunity to work with young care leavers when a position became available at the Youth Hubz, where he now works in 24/7 supported accommodation with some of the harder to reach young people. Despite the challenges, Shane has had tremendous success in supporting these young people to live independently. Shane enjoys going on long-distance trips with the young people he supports, as he believes these experiences can help build their confidence and provide them with new, positive experiences. When he's not working, Shane can be found playing football for his local club or spending time at the caravan with his family.

Gemma Carr

24/7 Support keyworkers
Gemma is a youth hubz keyworker.

Joshua Roberts

24/7 Support Keyworkers
Josh's journey with Youth Hubz began 2 years ago, but his dedication to empowering young people spans well over a decade. Armed with degrees in Early Years and Family Support, Josh is a adaptable professional who has honed his skills working in diverse settings, from pupil referral units to SEMH schools. As he explores the possibility of a PhD focused on young fatherhood, Josh continues to be a driving force behind the success of the Youth Hubz program, inspiring the youth he works with through his passion, expertise, and genuine concern for their well-being. Josh will work across all the services providing occasional support to Floating Services and also the 24/7 an UASC. Sport is a huge part of Josh’s life, particularly football and rugby. He previously played rugby to a semi-professional standard and enjoys coaching his sons football team.

Clarissa Ranshaw

24/7 Support Keyworkers
Clarissa has over 5 years’ experience in the health and social care sector working within various roles whilst completing her A-Levels in Health and social care with children’s development and a degree in Youth and community. Clarissa has also completed the NSC summer camp as a mentor and supported young people with a focus on Life and Independence skills. Clarissa started at youth hubz after completing a degree in youth and community. Clarrissa thoroughly enjoyed working in variety areas of company.

Riziki Hamuli

Support Keyworker
ello, my name is Riziki Hamuli, and I am a Youth Support Worker supporting Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC).

In my role, I ensure that young people’s voices are heard, their needs are met, and they are supported to build confidence, independence, and life skills. I assist them with day-to-day challenges, help them access education, health, and community services, and promote their emotional well-being and safety.

I have several years of experience working with young people from diverse backgrounds and take pride in creating a positive and trusting environment where they can feel valued and understood. I also work as a translator and interpreter, fluent in French, English, Lingala, and Swahili, which allows me to communicate effectively and support those adapting to a new language and culture.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my daughter and my family, travelling, walking, and watching sports and court programs. I’m also passionate about digital marketing and personal growth.

Charles Adumetey

24/7 Support Keyworkers
Text coming soon from charles

Jayne Olorunda

24/7 support keyworkers
Text coming soon

Bilikis

24/7 Support Keyworkers
Text coming soon

Alex Clark

24/7 Support Keyworkers
Alex is one of our 24-hour support team and has a background in working with both young people and adults who face challenging situations. Alex has over 8 years’ experience in working with complex individuals and challenging behaviour. He prides himself on being adaptable and responsive to whatever each situation calls for, bringing a calm and supportive approach to his work.

Outside of work, he’s a dedicated rugby player who enjoys the teamwork, discipline, and physical challenge the sport brings. Fishing is another long-time passion. Alex has been match fishing for over 20 years and finds it a great way to stay focused, relaxed and enjoy the outdoors. Whether it’s competitive matches or a quiet day by the water, fishing has taught him patience, resilience, and the value of preparation, key skills he is keen to pass on.

He’s also a passionate home cook who loves exploring different cuisines. From spicy curries to slow-cooked comfort meals, Alex enjoys experimenting in the kitchen and making up new recipes. He especially enjoys cooking for others, sharing meals, and teaching people how to cook whether it’s the basics or helping them try something new as a fun and practical life skill.

Tara Davidson

Keyworker

​
I’m Tara Shaw, working as a Keyworker, with over 4 years’ experience working in welfare and education. I have a passion for Art and enjoy bringing creativity and sharing it, in to all aspects of my life.

Amadou Diallo

24/7 Support keyworkers
With a strong background in humanitarian work, community support, andcommunication, I have dedicated my career to empowering young people, asylum seekers, and marginalised communities. My experience spans multiple roles in both the UK and West Africa, where I have developed exceptional interpersonal, problem-solving, and advocacy skills.

Previously, I worked as a Communication Coordinator for charities like Save Our Islands in Guinea and HAWADAL Peace of Mind in the UK, where one created impactful campaigns to raise awareness on critical social issues such as female genital mutilation, domestic violence, and refugee support. My role as a Receptionist at The Welcome Centre and Interpreter at DASH Huddersfield further strengthened my ability to engage with diverse communities, providing essential services and breaking language barriers as a fluent speaker of both French and English.

Currently, I work as a Support Worker at Youth Hubz, where I assist young people in developing the skills and confidence they need to live independently. Passionated about community development and social impact, l strive to create opportunities for growth, inclusion, and empowerment in every role I take on.

Jnai Johnson

24/7 Support keyworkers
A message from jnai will be coming soon.

Joanne Whelan

24/7 Support Keyworkers
Hi I am Joanne and I've been part of Youth Hubz since time began (or at least it feels that way lol).
I didn’t come from a youth work background, but I’ve found my place here through a genuine passion for helping young people take steps toward independent living. With a career rooted in banking, I’ve seen firsthand how tough it can be to manage money, bills, and budgeting especially when just starting out. That’s why I love using my experience to support young people in building financial confidence and life skills that really matter.

I always try to bring the PACE approach into everything I do because I believe trust is built through laughter, honesty, and showing up as your real self. Whether it’s chatting over a cuppa, singing and dancing in living room or tackling a budgeting plan together, I’m here to make those moments count, big or small.

If I can help someone feel a little more capable, a little more seen, and a lot more ready for what’s next, then I know I’m in the right place.

Fiona Robertshaw

24/7 Support Keyworkers
Text coming soon

Jason Arrowsmith

27/4 Support keyworkers
I believe in honesty, fairness, compassion and keeping things fun, this is at the foundation of everything I do. Whether supporting a young person facing life’s challenges or guiding them toward their goals, I’m here to help them thrive and confidently step into their adulthood. Throughout my life, I’ve had the privilege of living and traveling across various countries and continents, immersing myself in diverse cultures and societies. These experiences have equipped me with valuable tools and perspectives to handle a wide range of situations and connect with people on a deeper level.
I believe everyone has the potential to overcome challenges and build the life they aspire to. My approach centres around empowering young people to take ownership of their decisions and future. Through open communication, empathy, and practical tools, I help them gain the confidence to face life’s challenges with resilience and all while offering the right balance of support and guidance.
Outside of work, I’m a huge fan of sports, particularly football and enjoy going to see live music. I also have a bit of a collector’s spirit, with a (ever) growing collection of Pokémon cards. Traveling to new countries and experiencing local cultures, especially through their food, is something I truly live for. These passions not only keep me energized but also allow me to connect with others in more traditional ways.

Maria Firth

24/7 Support Keyworkers
Text coming soon

Jonathan Brodie

24/7 Support Keyworkers
Text coming soon