As the founder of Lite-Waves, my motivation to establish a service that prioritises social and emotional support stems from decades of professional experience and a deep-rooted passion for working with inner-city young people and their families. Through my work, I identified unmet emotional and social needs within families as a critical factor contributing to the challenges faced by children and young people, particularly underachievement in education.

With over two decades of experience in the field, I have worked across diverse roles including youth worker, mentor, drug educator, counsellor, family support worker, and parent advisor. My academic background includes a Master’s in Child and Adolescent Counselling and Psychotherapy, a BA (Hons) in Informal and Community Education, and specialist training through a two-year Infant Observation programme with the British Association of Psychotherapists.

A qualified community development practitioner and a skilled trainer, with a strong track record in designing and delivering needs-led training programmes that, empower both professionals and communities. My approach is rooted in building emotional resilience and self-awareness in individuals, enabling them to navigate challenges constructively and take empowered action. I am particularly passionate about supporting families and young people who are often labelled as ‘challenging’ – I see them instead as ‘misunderstood’ and strive to create environments where they feel seen, heard, and supported.

Lite-Waves is built on a preventative, early intervention model, offering social and emotional support through education, mentoring, and inclusive community events. Our work focuses on enhancing mental wellbeing, promoting family engagement, and improving long-term outcomes for young people.

Beyond the UK, my work has extended to communities in Ghana, Mozambique, South Africa and Jamaica where I’ve engaged with families facing extreme social deprivation, substance misuse, and trauma. These global experiences have shaped my culturally responsive and inclusive approach to care.

I have also contributed to educational governance as a Vice Chair Parent Governor and Parent Governor Representative, advocating for stronger family-school partnerships. My interaction with parents – particularly those of secondary-aged young people – has shown that while they care deeply about their child’s wellbeing. However, they often feel disconnected from the school community by the lack of day-to-day personal contact that they have with their children’s teachers.

At the heart of my work is a commitment to transformational change – empowering individuals, strengthening families, and building more connected, emotionally literate communities.