Research Summary: I am a JNC-qualified youth worker graduating in January 2027 with an MA in Childhood and Youth Studies. My practice is rooted in a belief that urban green spaces are essential for young people’s health, wellbeing, and sense of belonging—a perspective shaped by my upbringing in rural County Durham, where green space was abundant, but community and youth services were lacking.
Currently, I collaborate with several organisations dedicated to youth and community development. As Lead Allotment Volunteer Coordinator for Big Local, I oversee the planning, maintenance, and delivery of nature-based sessions, working alongside Sandown Allotments’ managers and local volunteers. I work with HerbHub—a charity linking communities with urban nature—where I co-design and maintain community gardens and facilitate sessions connecting young people to green spaces. My partnerships also include Gateshead Youth Council, where I’ve contributed to youth-led garden and skills projects; Stomping Grounds Northeast, where I support forest school events; and the Drop In, where I assist with youth sessions, one-to-one support, and community projects.
My journey into youth and community work began when I participated in the Prince’s Trust course in 2022. The experience inspired me to ask why youth work so rarely utilises urban green space for wellbeing and social inclusion, motivating my ongoing research and voluntary work. During my MA, I supported Art printing research projects and continued to question and advocate for more inclusive, nature-based, and creative approaches within youth work.
My academic background includes a BSc (Hons) in Psychology and a foundation diploma in herbology, which inform both my research interests and practical work. I am particularly focused on nature-based practice, inclusive practice, activism, policy, and neurodivergence. I am committed to continuous learning and plan to further train in nature-based interventions to enhance both my community collaboration and research.
I am passionate about addressing the current lack of strategic inclusion of young people in urban green spaces. I aspire to bridge this gap, working alongside communities to ensure these vital resources become accessible, inclusive, and empowering spaces for all young people—pursuing social justice through practice, collaboration, and research.
