Nicole Joseph

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT NICOLE JOSEPH

Working with young people in a variety of settings for over 30 years, I have experienced deep joy in their tenacity, resilience and creativity. This work has been a blessing. I am currently based at YMCA Manchester as head of the Targeted Youth Service and Engagement. I lead a dynamic and creative team committed to making a positive difference to the lives of young people from some of the most deprived areas in Greater Manchester. Across my career, I have learnt the value of trauma informed youth services and have built YMCA Manchester as a service that is responsive to young peoples’ needs. We view each young person holistically and acknowledge them as experts in their lives. Our service provides space, time and guidance for young people to find their voice and heal through sports education and a pastoral syllabus.Three areas of work:A school that delivers alternative education. I adopt a curious position, open to new and creative ways to enable young people to learn, grow and flourish. By grounding the service in research and evidence, and by working reflexively, consistently incorporating new learning, I have embedded a culture open to creativity. Mental health and citizenship. Our approach is to coproduce with young people and staff a process informed by participation and choice. We acknowledge that change occurs at individual as well as collective levels and explore the ways in which environments and cultures are critical to our wellbeing. Mental health in elite sports. This is our newest area of work, which emerged organically when a YMCA Manchester trustee returned from the funeral of another young friend he had known through the wrestling club who had committed suicide. We are working with the British Wrestling Association to create a programme around mental wellbeing and organisational culture. This work involves a collective leap into the unknown but we are excited by its creative and transformative potential.