The Team

Adrian Clark

Director

adrianclark@oxfordyouthworks.co.uk

Born in Scunthorpe, Adrian has been involved in youthwork for 17 years. A former Geography teacher and graduate from the CYM course. He has done a variety of Youth Work roles, from childrens work at Grapevine in Lincolnshire, to schools work with YFC, run holiday clubs and more recently been the key worker in Rudgwick, West Sussex and Youth and Community Worker in Camberley, Surrey. He now heads up the Oxford Youth Works team and is enjoying the challenges this role brings.

Patrick & Helen Mukholi

Blackbird Leys

Team Leaders

patrickmukholi@oxfordyouthworks.co.uk

helenmukholi@oxfordyouthworks.co.uk

Patrick and Helen are CMS Mission Partners and Team leaders of the Blackbird Leys Youth First Project of Oxford Youth Works. Youth First works in partnership with CMS and the churches on the estate in reaching young people through the clubs, schools detached work and  family visits. We are in the fifth year of work.

As Youth First Team Leader we are team members of the wider OYW and are responsible for vision setting, carrying this out through a team of staff, students and volunteers whom we supervise. Helen serves as volunteer to Reading Help at Orchard Meadow and young family support with Home-Start. Patrick does detached work and occasional assemblies at the Oxford Academy (formley Peers school)and an after school Basketball Club at Oxford School. Both help run the Tuesday club. Collaborative work with the Community Development Initiative happens on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings. Patrick is also carrying out an in-service course with the International Christian College Glasgow.

Fran Wright

J.O.Y Project Leader

franwright@oxfordyouthworks.co.uk

Hello, my name is Fran Wright and I am J.O.Y project leader and Restorative Justice co-ordinator for Oxford Youth Works. I also work 1 day a week as a tutor for the Oxford Centre for Youth Ministry.  I graduated from CYM with a 1st and since then have been putting all I learned into practice.

In my spare time I enjoy cooking and baking and having friends over for meals. I am involved in my church -, St. Anthony's, music group and leading the youth group.  I play the guitar and enjoy going to gigs in and around Oxford.

People would describe me as being quite organised and particular and like Monica from Friends, I have recently discovered that the most used OYW saying at the moment is "don’t tell Fran"!!!

Hannah Woods

Barton Lead Coordinator

hannahwoods@oxfordyouthworks.co.uk

In July 2008 I finished my degree at CYM and have been employed by Oxford Youth Works to Lead Barton due to Ian retiring late 2008. It's been interesting getting settled into a new club, learning a new culture and forming relationships with the young people, but I'm really enjoying it. I also run a loosely craft-based club Tuesday lunchtimes with a group of young people in Oxford Community School, help at JOY on Thursday evenings and co-ran a residential trip to Youlbury Scout Camp. In July 07, I married Jon Woods and was absolutely delighted that many of the young people I work with were able to attend the wedding at St. Aldates, Oxford.

Chrisinta Wager

Student Placement, Barton

christinawager@oxfordyouthworks.co.uk

I'm Crissy, 22 and I'm from Cambridgeshire.  I work with OYW as part of my youth work degree and I love it! I am currently doing the Barton project where I help run a youth club on the estate,  we have a good time playing pool and chatting and make tea and eat biscuits = its our speciality!  Apart from doing youth work, I REALLY do love my music, and love to do adventurous things like climb mountains and eating strange foods.....
BARTON IS THE PLACE TO BE BLUD!

Peter Valletta

Fundraiser

petervalletta@oxfordyouthworks.co.uk

Peter lived most of his life in Surrey and has a background in the motor industry. Before coming to Oxford he Studied Applied Theology at Moorlands College and in 2005 took up a post as Church Worker at Northway Evangelical Church, Headington. He is married to Heather and they have two beautiful daughters called Charis Louise and Esther Jane.

Joel Young

Fundraiser

My name is Joel Young and I am currently volunteering alongside Peter Valletta in Fundraising. I research various trust funds, and produce grant applications specific to their requirements. Prior to starting at OYW I spent time at Oxford  Brookes University, where I obtained a 2:1 in Business and Marketing Communications, and I have undertaken a 12month placement working within the communications department at Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. I hope that my experience and qualifications will assist OYW to continue to find the necessary funds, to serve the young people in Oxford.

Liz Ridler

Administrator and Finance Officer

admin@oxfordyouthworks.co.uk

Following my time in higher education and gaining a degree in Accounting and Finance, I started my working life as the Administration and Finance Department of my family engineering business. Marriage, two sons and an active church life followed. Traditional Black Country “metal bashing” struggled throughout the early 1990’s and we ceased manufacture in 1996. On the prompting of a good Christian friend, I was successful in my application to join the staff team at British Youth for Christ, heading the Finance Department. 

I felt led to develop my listening and counselling skills, completing several courses, and the opportunity arose to set up a counselling centre in my home church. This meant that I would need to reduce my working hours, and in September 2002, I found a part-time job as Finance Manager at Lichfield CVS, supporting organisations in the voluntary sector and soon afterwards, “Listening Ear” a crisis and counselling centre was launched.

In late 2005, my husband’s job was moved to Oxford and we re-located to North West Oxfordshire in May 2006.  Soon after moving, and in need of clear guidance from God as to my future role, I met Ben Holloway, then Director of OYW, whom I had known at YFC, and in God’s timing the vacancy arose to cover the administration and finance functions at Oxford Youth Works.