"I'm Walking A Life"
"Whitney Spoken Word"
"Young People Performing A Song"
"Be good to be close to family and those supporting you"
"Intelligence is more than School smart"
"Young people aren't out of reach. Services are out of reach"
"I just tried to stay out of trouble, connect with family and friends and get early release"
"The word education isn't a great word"
"Young people need a second chance"
"If someone's got something to lose they will fight to keep it"
"Don't judge a book by its cover"
"Knowing your rights and entitlements means you feel more empowered"
"If I complain, I don't think anything will happen"
"The long term affect is massive, but the decision is based on the judges mood"
"Young people should be involved from the beginning"
We work in partnership with young people to design and develop our work. “No decision about me, without me” is one of our core principles. When we say “we”, we include young people in that – there’s no ‘them’ and ‘us’.
Our Advisory and Trustee Boards include people with experience of care and youth justice systems, Youth Justice Academics, Youth Offending Team Managers, and professionals from the media and digital, private and third sectors.
NICOLA KIDSTON – Deputy CEO and Head of Programmes
Nic is responsible for all aspects of the delivery work of the charity. She has over 20 years experience working with young people across the charity sector leading programmes in youth justice, youth homelessness, social action and in education sectors. She came to Peer Power having been a senior leader at The Bell Foundation and before that as Director of Programme and Partnership The Foyer Federation.
She is committed to creating positive futures with young people and is energised by creating strong collaborative partnerships to innovate, scale and embed approaches to achieve national impact.
She is a Trustee and fellow at Clore Social Leadership and has a keen interest in developing social leaders, particularly young people.
Outside work Nic enjoys outdoor adventures with her family, is a keen cyclist and yogi and is a member of a choir.
MARVIN WALLACE – Head of Finance and Operations
Marvin is responsible for overseeing and leading on Finance and Operations through Peer Power’s activities.
Prior to Peer Power he worked in the non-profit sector for over 10 years in Finance and Operations across a varied range of charitable projects.
Outside of work, Marvin has a keen interest in empathy and wellbeing and would be completely lost without his headphones and Spotify!
LUCY HILL – Operations Manager
Lucy is responsible for facilities, operations and HR at Peer Power’s busy office and supports the youth engagement team with their projects.
With a background in broadcast media she came to Peer Power in October 2017 to put her skills to use within the charity sector.
Lucy is also a musician and spends the rest of her time writing, recording and performing music with her band.
HOLLIE HARTLEY – Youth Engagement and Co-Production Manager (on leave)
Hollie joined Peer Power after nine years at the Lyric, Hammersmith where she led the theatre’s targeted programmes for at risk and vulnerable young people. Hollie is passionate about building relationships with young people and ensuring they have a voice and platform to share their stories. She also brings her experience of the creative arts to Peer Power and is excited to develop the charity’s vision for social change.
MILLIE SHUTER – Youth Engagement and Co-Production Manager
Millie leads on Peer Power’s violence reduction work and supports our Young Campaigners.
She started out in communications consultancy before joining the charity Catch22. She soon switched to working on frontline programmes in prisons and residential settings. Retraining as a social worker, Millie then specialised in adolescent safeguarding, working with young people involved in exploitation, violence and the criminal justice system.
Millie is driven by her belief in children’s rights and social justice, advocating for young people to be treated with empathy and empowered to lead their best lives.
Outside work, Millie is a proud puppy parent and loves dancing in the sunshine.
SARAH WILKINSON – Youth Engagement and Co-Production Manager (maternity cover)
Sarah has a background in policy, communications and participation roles across the charity/ youth sector, helping organisations – like Nacro, Barnardo’s and Catch22 – listen to, communicate and respond to the voices of children and young people.
She is a strong advocate of Peer Power’s mission to embed empathy, love and relational approaches in social care, justice and health settings.
Outside of work she enjoys cooking, socialising and absolutely loves crisps.
RIA PEREZ – Peer Engagement Worker
Ria is responsible for pastoral work and the engagement of young people. Ria has worked with young people in various settings, particularly in creative spaces, including Battersea Arts Centre and the Lyric, Hammersmith. Outside work, she loves spending time with family and friends and enjoys travelling to new places.
JOSHUA OKUNLOLA – Training, Learning and Development Lead
Joshua is responsible for co-delivery and co-development of training. His background is in education, particularly in working with schools to support young people who display challenging behaviour and/or SEMH needs.
Outside of work, Joshua has a keen interest in fitness and boxes regularly. When he isn’t boxing he is spending time with his wife and five children.
KATIE JONES – Fundraiser
Katie supports Peer Power with fundraising one day a week. She has over 15 years of fundraising and business development experience across the charitable and higher education sectors. She now works freelance for six small charities in the youth, women’s and health sectors, where she is passionate about making a difference.
Outside work, Katie loves walking her dogs and horse riding with her daughter, going to gigs with her husband, and cooking for friends.
LAURA KENNEDY – Interim Communications Manager
From website and social to reports and brand, Laura is covering all things comms at Peer Power.
Starting in women’s and teen magazines, Laura was a true life and lifestyle features journalist before moving into the third sector in 2008 and has since worked for Save the Children, the British Red Cross, Barnardo’s and UNHCR among others.
A shy nerd who hated PE at school, she now quite likes a run (probably for the best as she also likes baking). She works part time and is a mum of twins.
Linda Hafez – Clinical Supervisor
Linda is an accredited integrative counsellor, family practitioner and therapeutic supervisor. She has 12 years of experience of working therapeutically with young people.
Her own experience and personal beliefs have led her to be particularly interested in working with peer power.
PAUL MOODY – Therapist
Paul is a highly experienced therapist providing counselling and therapeutic intervention, using multiple approaches, across private and public services.
His workshops and counselling service offer accepting, safe environments free of judgement, and are aimed at helping young people challenge out-dated core beliefs and negative self-concepts, empowering them to heighten their self-confidence, self- awareness and self-worth.
His service celebrates diversity and offers support to all who find themselves in emotional crisis.
JEMMA WILKINSON – Therapist
Jemma is in integrative therapist drawing on cognitive behavioural therapy, solution-focused, person-centred, psychodynamic and existential methodologies, catering to each client’s personal needs.
She obtained a first class degree in Counselling from the University of East London before completing her postgraduate qualification in Early Interventions in Psychosis at the Institute of Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Kings College London.
Jemma aims to ensure each client feels listened to and supported as they explore their past and present challenges. She has experience in private practice working across a range of challenges such as trauma, bereavement, psychosis, and substance misuse. She has also established and facilitated group therapy for the NHS, supporting children and young people to work through their anxieties.
Peer Power Youth CIO is a charity registered in England and Wales, no 1167758