Our Team

Kevin Franks
Chief Executive
kevin@youthfocusne.org.uk

As a JNC-qualified youth and community worker with over 30 years experience, Kev is the leader of YFNE. Expertly guiding the team to provide a fun, transformational and high quality experience for every young person we work with.

David McCreedy
Director of Youth Programmes
dave@youthfocusne.org.uk

Laura Bush
Director of Youth Work
laurab@youthfocusne.org.uk

As lead on the strategic vision of YFNE, her main area of focus is: youth voice, social action and community development. Laura both passionately leads the qualification delivery and works with partners to develop projects & programmes.

Heather Insull
Youth Strategy Manager
heather@youthfocusne.org.uk

After producing many successful youth groups in Middlesbrough, Heather has now broadened her reach to the whole North East; taking the challenge in stride, she continues to be a successful and dynamic manager.

Caroline Garrity
Operations Manager
caroline@youthfocusne.org.uk

Expertly providing senior operational management support, working closely with the Board of Trustees, and offering first-class administrative and HR support. Caroline skilfully works with the whole team to keep the organisation running smoothly.

Amy Randall
Office Manager
amy@youthfocusne.org.uk

With over 10 years of youth work experience, Amy ensures the Middlesbrough office runs smoothly and efficiently as Office Manager; supporting the delivery team with the administration of their funded programmes.

Samantha Logan
Programme Manager
sam@youthfocusne.org.uk

Sam leads on Sage Free space, and on a Paul Hamlyn funded project aimed at enabling young people to access services that will have a positive impact on their life, with a positive transition to adulthood.

Rebecca Harrop
Programme Manager
rebecca@youthfocusne.org.uk

Rebecca leads on the Youth Endowment Fund Peer Research and Social Action research project, in which young people from across the North East research youth violence and develop a range of social action projects to tackle this.

Jodie-Leigh Foster
Programme Manager
jodie@youthfocusne.org.uk

Zoe Jackson
Training and Development Officer
zoe@youthfocusne.org.uk

Zoe works with Laura Bush on developing and delivering the professional youth work qualifications training programme.

Kurt Heron
Youth Enterprise Manager
kurt@youthfocusne.org.uk

Barry Flux
Administration Officer
barry@youthfocusne.org.uk

A member of the administrative team, Barry ensures that records are kept up to date, and creates statistical reports of work done by the organisation.

Judith Bennett
Communications Support Worker
judith@youthfocusne.org.uk

Hannah Potter
Lead Youth Worker
Great North Children's Hospital
hannah.potter16@nhs.net

With a background in Education, SEND and Youth Theatre, Hannah is able to use this knowledge and experience within her role. This includes; being an advocate for groups of under-represented patients, and overall bringing practical & emotional support to the children on the wards.

Mark Lowdon
Lead Youth Worker
Great North Children's Hospital
mark.lowdon@nhs.net

Emma Abbott
Lead Youth Worker
emma@youthfocusne.org.uk

With a background caring for adults with learning and physical disabilities, Emma is able to bring amazing experience to her role and giving her a helpful insight in supporting young people while they create their own opportunities and provisions.