Janet Shaw - Administration and Finance Leader
Janet has been with CFY for nearly as long as it has existed. If Janet was on Mastermind, CFY would be her specialist subject. She heads the finance and administration team.Paul McKinstry - Managing Director
Paul joined Challenge for Youth in 1995, accumulating responsibilities and achievements, and graduating through the ranks of Youth Development Worker to Team Leader, to Director of Operations and finally to his current role as Managing Director. See Paul talking on BBC Newsline http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7758913.stm.Emma Van Loock - Finance and Administration Assistant
Emma joined Challenge for Youth in January 2003 and continues to enjoy being part of the team on part-time basis.Drew Doherty - Operations Manager
Currently Operations Manager, Drew has worked at Challenge for Youth since 2003. Drew joined CFY as a Youth Development Worker where he mainly worked on community relations and citizenship programmes. Previously Drew was employed by Springboard as a Programme Manager, where he worked on a range of International training programmes that involved overseas phases in Cape Town, Montreal, Liverpool and Toronto. Programmes to South Africa and Liverpool were particular focused on training for youth workers and community activists and involved placements, training and mentoring. Drew also worked as a Community Development Worker in Sunderland and has extensive experience in Community Relations work in Northern Ireland going back to 1990.Drew gained a Degree in Sociology from Queens University Belfast and Postgraduate Diploma In Community and Youth Work from The University College of St Mark and St Johns in Plymouth. Drew has also completed training in group work, communication skills and community relations work.
Outside of work, Drew is a foster carer and particularly enjoys spending time with his family; he is also involved in coaching Gaelic football and supporting his local teams.
John Wallace - Youth Development Worker
John joined Challenge for Youth in August 2003. John holds a diploma in Youth and Community Work from the University of Ulster and additional is a level 2 open boat coach, Duke of Edinburgh Award Leader and Gold Award Assessor, High Ropes Instructor, Archery Leader and Orienteering Leader. John has completed a course in environmental awareness and is also working towards his Mountain Leadership assessment. In his spare time he likes tinkering with his Landrover.Margaretrose McLaughlin - Youth Development Worker
Margaretrose joined CFY as part-time Youth Development Worker in autumn 2004 after completing a student placement while studying for her degree at Ulster University. Margaretrose coordinates CfY's unique Understanding Choices programme.Nichola Madden Dikmen - Youth Development Worker
Nichola joined the team in November 2005 having gained her degree in Youth and Community Work at Jordanstown. She heads up our Youth Enquiry Service (YES project) – a youth led drop in centre for young people.Marty Pelan - Youth Development Worker
Marty joined the Challenge for Youth team in January 2008. Marty has extensive experience in adventure learning and creative arts. In 2010 Marty gained his Mountain Leadership qualification and he heads up Challenge for Youth’s most challenging programme called Time for Change and he is currently making full use of Challenge for Youth’s new state of the art indoor climbing wall. Like all our staff he holds an up-to-date qualification for leading groups in the use of this wall.
Blondie - Challenge for Youth Sessional Worker
Blondie joined CfY as a participant, progressing to Seamie Kelly's "Basic Mountain Skills", a introductory programme for young, keen and committed outdoor enthusiasts. She then began training for her Mountain Leader Qualification and is now a integral part of the Time for Change Programme. Patricia Roach - Long-term Volunteer
Patricia has been a volunteer with Challenge for Youth for as long as it has existed. Her expertise is photography, IT publications, arts and crafts and she works with Nichola on the Youth Enquiry Service and streetwork.Dee Gibney - Youth Development Worker
Dee Gibney joined CFY in May 2006 on the Rank funded GAP scheme. His commitment extended beyond the placement with a funded post and he now heads up Street work, People in parks and the Youth Leadership Programme. Dee is studying towards his BA (Hon) degree in (youth work and community learning and development). Like all our staff he holds our site specific climbing wall qualification and in his spare time he enjoys travelling and outdoor adventure. He is currently pursuing his mountain leader award, Single pitch award and 3 star kayaking. In 2009 he summated Mont Blanc with two fellow Challenge for Youth staff Marty and Kris.Kieron
Kieron joined CfY team in 2009 in a collaborative arrangement with the Youth Justice Agency. Kieron’s expertise is outdoor adventure learning, holding level 3 coach A4 open canoe and the 5 star advanced award along with the level 3 inland A3 Kayak and has paddled at advanced levels worldwide including North+south America-France-Spain-Thailand and China,Kieron made the first descent of the Upper Gweebarra in Donegal in open canoe!!Kieron also holds qualifications in Lifesaving- mountaineering-sailing/powerboating and holds a DOT boatmasters license-Kieron is also a High ropes course Director and Duke of Edinburgh award Gold assessor
He leads our Duke of Edinburgh expeditions in association with John Wallace,Marty Pelan and Anne Marie(Blondie) Gibney.