Youth-180° Team 09/10.
The Youth-180° Team changes throughout the years but our commitment to young people and being a positive influence in our community doesn’t change. Below are the 8 individuals (in alphabetical order!) who are members of the Team for this academic year. We are lovely people so if you see us in your school, church or local area please feel free to say hello!
NAME: Mathew Barber - Lead Youth Worker
FROM: Sleaford
ABOUT: Matt is skilled in a few areas. He went to university and completed a law degree. He then trained as a professional chef in a number of restaurants before working in car audio systems. He has now been with Youth-180° for two years working in Ash Green School. Matt is currently studying for a Masters Degree in youth work and applied theology.
FACT: Matt supports Manchester United Football Club. We don’t think any differently of him for it.
NAME: Amanda Biggs - Lead Youth Worker
FROM: Nuneaton
ABOUT: Amanda was originally a part of the team as a Trainee Youth Worker in 2005. She then left to study for an honours degree in Social Psychology at the University of Kent in Canterbury. After completing her degree she moved back to Nuneaton and now leads the work in 2 schools and is linked to Bedworth Baptist Church.
FACT: Amanda was born in Egypt. She also has a very strong dislike of seagulls and feet which will be a problem when it is next national ‘Seagull and Feet Day’.
NAME: Matthew Cairns - Trainee Youth Worker
FROM: Bedworth (originally from Leicester)
ABOUT: Matt worked with Youth-180° during the summer term of 08/09. He worked at The George Eliot School and now works there with Amanda. He works with the PE dept to assist with PE lessons alongside his other work in the school.
FACT: Matt is an excellent communicator and is looking to get into football commentary one day (no joke, he’s really good!). Matt currently commentates for the blind at Nott’s County home games. He is an avid Leicester City FC fan.
NAME: Maddy Barnett - Trainee Youth Worker
FROM: Sussex
ABOUT: Maddy worked with a youth work organisation before joining Youth-180°. She has a very caring heart and is gifted at working in pastoral situations. Maddy works alongside Matt in Ash Green School and is linked to Hartshill and Holy Trinity Attleborough churches.
FACT: Maddy recently celebrated her 20th birthday.
NAME: Stephen Blyth - Team Leader of Youth-180°
FROM: Nuneaton
ABOUT: Stephen was at Etone School in year 10 when Youth-180° was first started. After doing his A Levels he studied guitar at the Nexus Academy of Music Ministry in Coventry. He graduated from Nexus and then joined Youth-180° as a Trainee Youth Worker. It was only meant to be a year thing... but 6 years later he now leads the Youth-180° Team.
FACT: Steve is the joint tallest member of the team (along with Sam at 6ft 3”). He hates wasps but loves Wolves FC. His surname, in Welsh, means ‘Wolf’.
NAME: Sam Gladwin - Trainee Youth Worker
FROM: Bedworth
ABOUT: Sam is in his second year of Youth-180°. He is based at Etone College and is linked to Heath End Church in Nuneaton. Sam is an excellent leader and works well with the projects we run in Youth-180°. Sam runs the Etone website and also facilitates ‘Etone FM’, the school radio station. He is also responsible for our after-school club Rubix.
FACT: Having been born and raised in Bedworth, Sam support Arsenal FC. He is also the joint tallest member of Youth-180° (with Steve) at 6ft3” tall.
NAME: Kim Morgan-Jones - Lead Youth Worker and Associate Worker for St Pauls Church, Nuneaton.
FROM: Nuneaton
ABOUT: Having completed an honours degree in Biblical Studies, Kim is now studying a diploma in youth work with an aim to study for another degree in youth work. As you can probably tell, Kim is really quite bright! She is actually employed by St Pauls Church and they are kind enough to allow her to work with us in Alderman Smith School and for Team Days. Kim also helps to facilitate the youth & children's work at St Pauls Church.
FACT: Kim has recently acquired a new flat. It’s lovely, and filled with things from Ikea! She also worked out in Ibiza during the summer with an organisation called ’24/7’ serving the people who were out clubbing.
NAME: Beth Pierce - Trainee Youth Worker
FROM: Shrewsbury
ABOUT: Beth joined Youth-180° in August. She works in Alderman Smith School and Hartshill School but she has a slightly unique role as well - Beth helps in the Sycamore Tree Bookshop, something which we have never done before. Beth’s vision is to serve the people who come into the shop and bring a ‘youth’ aspect to it. Beth is linked to Manor Court Baptist Church with Matt Barber.
FACT: Beth LOVES Paperchase, the highstreet stationers. She also likes puppies and cheesecake.
