Providing Outstanding Youth Work Services in Somerset
Young Somerset is the largest youth and community support charity in Somerset, providing a range of bespoke services for young people and their families to suit the needs of the communities we operate in.
Founded in 1997 as Somerset Rural Youth Project, we moved away from open access, universal services during the pandemic (2020), and now provide targeted support for young people which includes:
- Alternative education provision, for those struggling with mainstream education – focused on “learning by doing” with accredited outcomes
- Mental health provision as the largest NHS commissioned provider of low intensity cognitive behaviour therapy for young people in the Southwest in community & education settings
- An Enterprise offer, which includes a café and shop, where young people can engage in supported internships or work-based learning opportunities for their development
- Youth workers operating within health care and the community in support of statutory partners
We offer many other services detailed here: ‘For Young People’ and ‘Refer a Young Person’.
We continuously evaluate and monitor the work that we do and encourage the Participation of those that use our services, so we can evolve and improve our services to meet the needs of the communities of Somerset.
Putting Young People First
Putting ourselves in the shoes of the young person; providing young people with choice and the opportunity and space to be themselves, listening to their views and shaping services and interactions around young people’s needs. It is about keeping abreast with latest youth trends and professional developments and using this creatively to support young people in the Somerset context.
Inspiring
Believing in the power of young people and acting with energy, positivity, care, heart, ambition and a “can-do” attitude. It is about staff harnessing their inner confidence, adopting an adventurous spirit and being prepared to learn new things in order to support young people to achieve their very best outcomes.
Collaborating
Being inclusive, encouraging, cooperative, helpful and respectful; sharing ideas and valuing individual contributions. It is about Young Somerset staff working together as one team, supporting and being supported by each other, young people, community partners and other stakeholders; using our collective skills and experiences to deliver. It is about listening, professionally, and without judgement. It is about togetherness and common goals.
Going Further
We do more. We act with willing, resilience and resourcefulness. We take responsibility for our own actions and persevere to get the best outcomes for young people in Somerset. We embrace change, adapt and think innovatively. We make an impact.
Senior Leadership Team
Nik Harwood
Chief Executive
Nik Harwood has worked within Children & Young People’s Services in Somerset for 29 years. His professional background is in Youth & Community Work and he has worked in both the voluntary and statutory sector in operational and leadership positions.
Nik rejoined Somerset Rural Youth Project as CEO in February 2014, and has led the organisation through a period of transformational change, expansion and growth – including its rebrand in 2018 to Young Somerset – and to a position of focused strength within the youth and mental health sectors in Somerset. Nik sits on a number of strategic boards and is the current national Chair of the Rural Services Partnership. He is passionate about making a difference in the lives of children, young people, their families and communities – and loves the diversity of both staff and services in Young Somerset.
He is lucky (greedy?) to live between the sea and Exmoor in West Somerset, is a keen runner, guitarist and tabletop wargamer.
Lisa Farley
Head of Mental Health and Wellbeing
Lisa Farley has worked within education and the charity sector for 28 years. She began her career as a teacher which then led to her first leadership role in Children’s Centres and latterly as Headteacher in infant and primary schools across Somerset. She is an early year’s specialist who believes every child and young person’s mental health and wellbeing is important.
It was through her interest in mental health and wellbeing that Lisa was introduced to the work of Young Somerset. She grasped the opportunity of working with the charity to continue developing the work of the mental health and wellbeing teams across Somerset.
Lisa lives in Somerset and regularly takes advantage of living by the coast as a member of a gig rowing club, running and walking her dog on the beach.
Siobhan Gallager
Head of Targeted Youth Support
Siobhan began working in post 16 specialist education in 2007, since then she has worked across young people and adult services in special education, social care and mainstream education.
Siobhan joined Young Somerset in 2022 and in that time has overseen Targeted Youth Services and Alternative Education and more recently Enterprise and Work-based Learning. She is passionate about providing appropriate support for young people to ensure that they are able to access education and employment opportunities and be prepared for their next steps in life.
In her free time, Siobhan can be found cycling and walking around the West Somerset coast and Countryside.
Our Trustees
Julie Biggs
Trustee
As a highly experienced senior HR business leader, I have led the full range of HR services delivering to a variety of large, medium and small public sector organisations (including schools and academies) as well as working with IBM. I am currently a Leadership and Transformation Coach & Consultant working with individuals and teams.
Having started off my HR life working in YTS, I have always had a keen interest in supporting young people to develop their potential and skills. The breadth of opportunities offered by Young Somerset along with the dedication and commitment of the team in making a difference to the lives of young people in our county were what inspired me to become a member of the Board.
David Elstone
Chair and Safeguarding Lead
Where’s your favourite place in Somerset?
“THE COUNTY GROUND – cricket has been an important part of my life, both playing and supporting. I have many happy memories of the County Ground. One of the first things I did after retiring back to Somerset was to take up a membership at Somerset CCC once again.”
Do you have a hidden talent or any hobbies?
“I am afraid I have no hidden talents. I have never been especially creative. My hobbies pretty much all revolve around sport and my family. Both boys play cricket and hockey and so many weekends are spent watching them play. I am also a lifelong Bristol City supporter and have the grey hairs to show for it!”
What’s the best thing about your job at Young Somerset?
“Having had a career in education I have always been passionate in providing opportunities for young people. It is clear to me that Young Somerset shares that passion and I am looking forward to seeing the organisation grow and affect even more young lives.”
And finally, Ninjas or Pirates?
“As Bristol Rovers are known as the Pirates, I would have to say Ninja!”
Claire Tough
Trustee
Claire joined the Board of Young Somerset in April 2020.
As a Trustee, Claire contributes to how the organisation supports young people living in Somerset from a leadership and management perspective. Empowering young people through support and mentoring to be the best they can be is really rewarding; creating opportunities to develop and grow. Claire believes that Somerset needs its young people to be the movers and shakers of the future and there’s lots of talent here that can do just that.
Claire is currently the Director of Communities and Customer Service for a social housing provider in Somerset and is committed to enhancing the lives of its residents by building strong, engaged communities. She leads with a people first approach, through understanding the importance of community well-being.
In her spare time, Claire has a passion for creating things and playing sports, like golf. She has a real love of portrait photography and can be regularly seen snapping photographs of a variety of subjects.
One of her favourite places to visit is Dunster, located on the edge of Exmoor National Park. It is an area steeped in history, it has a castle, easy access to the beaches and the neighbouring moorland. Depending on her mood, she says she can explore the area and get lost in her own thoughts.
Claire has two daughters, and lives in Taunton with her cocker spaniel Piran.
Dickon Turner
Trustee
Dickon joined the Board of Young Somerset in July 2022. He is safeguarding and welfare manager for England Netball, where he oversees safeguarding investigations and ensures netball is a safe place for all young people to play.
Dickon was an experienced police officer with Avon and Somerset police having started as a Constable in 1993. After years of experience in child and adult safeguarding investigations, counter terrorism and a spell in charge of the offender management department and finally Somerset Commander. That role included representing the police at a strategic level on county-wide community safety and safeguarding boards and overseeing the delivery of neighbourhood policing.
Dickon has previously been Vice Chair of school governors, Chair of a pre-school management committee and leader of a Princes Trust ‘Million Makers’ team. Dickon has previously volunteered as a youth mentor in Somerset and has also been lead instructor in the Duke of Edinburgh programme.
Dickon lives in Frome with his wife and dog Boris and has two adult children.
Jodie Loveday
Treasurer
Jodie joined the Board of Young Somerset as Treasurer in December 2022.
Following a career for a number of years as an Accountant with companies in Somerset, Jodie now runs her own accountancy business with over 130 clients. Jodie is a member of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants.
Jodie currently volunteers for Promiseworks as a mentor and enjoys the adventures she has with her mentee. Jodie is a big believer in the little things making a difference and is grateful for being in a position to be able to dedicate her time to help others.
Jodie lives with her family in Taunton and is kept busy with a teenage daughter!
Lauren Holland
Trustee
Lauren joined the Board of Young Somerset in October 2022.
With both a Bachelors and a Masters in Law, Lauren has worked in professional services for five years and currently works in Business Development with a leading international law firm. Lauren’s roles to date have involved consolidating and initiating activities to enhance a firm’s ability to grow and thrive in an increasingly competitive market. Her familiarity with the English legal system and legal documentation, combined with commercial experience, makes Lauren well-placed to assess the legal context in which an organisation operates and indicate the practical ramifications for the business.
Lauren currently volunteers with the EY Smart Futures Programme mentoring young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, allowing them to unlock their potential and succeed in the workplace. Lauren is passionate about the idea that for a young person to flourish they must not only be given opportunities but also the tools and support to make the most of an opportunity.
Lauren lives in Taunton and enjoys knitting and a bit of DIY house refurbishment in her spare time.
Steph Noyce
Trustee
Steph joined the Board of Young Somerset in July 2022.
Having worked in the voluntary sector for over 20 years, originally starting with BBC Children in Need, Steph has a valuable background in grant and trust fundraising. Her current role specialises in financial and digital inclusion nationally within the social housing sector. Steph has developed and implemented national money guidance, digital inclusion and fuel poverty strategies which have ensured operational and commercial targets were established and achieved.
Steph’s Board experience originates from being a Board member of a Samaritan’s branch in her early 20’s, which Steph describes as a pivotal moment realising her skills in strategic planning. Steph is passionate about the voluntary sector and the vital role this plays in shaping lives.
Steph lives in Taunton with her husband and children.
Ethna Bashford
Trustee
Ethna joined the Board of Young Somerset in February 2023.
After becoming a Registered General Nurse Ethna worked clinically and gained a wide range of clinical experience in Paediatrics, Oncology and Neuro Intensive Care. Ethna has had numerous management posts in Children’s Services and went on to become Director of Children and Young People’s Services, for Somerset Partnerships NHS Foundation Trust which included services such as Public Health Nursing, CAMHS and Safeguarding before becoming Director of Patient Care.
She worked alongside a wide range of partners to seek to improve services for children and young people in Somerset and to ensure that learning from Serious Case Reviews, Ofsted and CQC inspections was embedded into practice to improve quality and safety of services. She has a strong knowledge and understanding of clinical governance and patient safety.
Ethna lives with her family in Bridgwater and enjoys walking and travelling in her spare time.