Meet the team!

This page has information about our staff team. You can read about why they came to Oxygen and what motivation they have to work for young people. In addition, we want to give you a personal insight into our work every month written by staff members.

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John

CEO

It is a real privilege to lead Oxygen for over 10 yeras and work to help improve the lives of young people. I have been involved in youth work for almost 30 years and have always had a heart for those on the fringes of society. I have worked with young offenders, those excluded from school, as an education policy adviser, and as a church youth worker. To get to know more about me. Read this little interview, by a brilliant young reporter here!

Brenda

Senior Street Pastor

Originally from South Africa, I have lived in the UK for over 20yrs. I am a trained nurse, but have been on a career break for several years after starting a family. I have been a Street Pastor for 5 yrs, and have recently become a senior Street Pastor. It is a real blessing to be able to work for an organisation that I am passionate about.

Charlie

Development Manager & Kingston Street Pastors Coordinator

I have been employed by Oxygen since the end of 2010 but my involvement goes back to 2001 when I first volunteered at the age of 16. I currently hold two roles: Development Manager, which primarily involves running our office and leading on fundraising and communications; and Coordinator of Kingston Street Pastors. I’m passionate about the role of the church in the wider community and my own role shaping Oxygen’s future and supporting our team to reach out to young people with God’s love. Leading Street Pastors has been a huge blessing and it is a privilege to be involved with a ministry which makes such a visible difference in Kingston. Before Oxygen, my professional background was in languages and education. I have been married for six years and I live in Surbiton.

Jojo

GAP Year Worker

I love dancing, singing and playing basketball. I‘m generally open for every kind of sports apart from football (I‘m terrible at it :D)
I usually spend my freetime with being outside and taking a walk, having a Picknick with friends or reading in the park. In my hometown I also took part in church youth clubs and Christian summer camps which I absolutely enjoy. Anything that brings me together with people makes me happy!

Kat

Sessional Youth Worker

My name is Kat, I've been working with children and teenagers for seven years and joined the Oxygen team three and a half after doing a work placement with them earlier on this year. I enjoy working with young people because it's fun and interesting and I want to make a difference in anyway I can.

I also have a degree in Drama and enjoy theatre and acting in my spare time.

Danica

Youth Worker

I am a youth worker for oxygen and I work at kingsnympton youth club and at the after school club at coombe boys. I really enjoy working for oxygen because we are always there for each other. Working for oxygen has made me a more confident person. I enjoy working at the youth club and coombe boys because both clubs are completely different and you get to support different types of young people. When I am not at work I enjoy spending time with my family and watching documentaries.

Tomi

Targeted Project Coordinator

My name is Tomi and I am the new Targeted Project Coordinator at Oxygen. A graduate in BSC Hons Sport Psychology, Coaching and Physical Education. I really enjoy working with young people and my aim is to make a positive impact on young people in the community. I enjoy working and giving back to the community and showing young people that no matter what adversity you face you can always achieve your goals.

Ben

Sessional Youth Worker

I got into youth work after studying counselling and having had a challenging childhood and teenage years. I wanted to try and help kids not to make the same mistakes as I had made growing up. I also saw the massive social issues that fatherlessness causes for kids and wanted to be a positive male role model.

Adam

Youth Worker

I enjoy working for Oxygen because it allows me to create long lasting relationships with young people in positive and safe environments on their terms. Journeying with young people, helping them discover their potential and playing a role in helping them to reach their goals gives me more satisfaction than any other job I have had in the past.

Siobhan

Digital Youth Work and Communications Officer

I started working for Oxygen in September as a sessional youth worker. I work with young people at the youth groups as well as coordinating social media and digital youth work. I am passionate about social justice and ensuring young peoples voices are heard in society. Before starting at Oxygen I completed my MA in Gender, Violence and Conflict.

Trustees:

Liz Wynyard,

Chair

Prof. Brian Austin

Vice Chair

Pete Wilkins,

Treasurer

Nathan Larkin

(Youth Worker)

Richard Caldwell

(Economist)

Sadly, Rev. Peter Holmes, who was a trustee and Oxygen's theological adviser, passed away in April 2020 after a long battle with Covid-19. You can read a tribute to Rev. Peter here

Vice Presidents

Steve Barnes

We are keen to recruit more trustees to Oxygen's board and are particularly looking for someone to act as our Theological Adviser and people with experience of working in sectors relevant to mental health, policing and crime and organisational development.

James

Sessional Youth Worker

I’m James. I am 25 years old. I have lived in New Malden for most of my life and some of the highlights have been making good friends, playing sport and being involved in youth work, whether this be at Christ Church or later on for Oxygen. Alongside supporting young people and playing Sport, Drama and Music are of interest to me, and I have been part of Drama productions and music performances - I am fortunate to have been taught to play the piano at an early age. Through working in the Oxygen shop, I have had a glimpse of retail work and this is something I have found myself to have enjoyed too.

Tomi

Targeted Project Coordinator