The Coaching Approaches Transforming Young Lives

238: From Disengagement to Empowerment: The Coaching Approaches Transforming Young Lives with Duncan Cherrett and Ana Collier

In this Episode

Be inspired as we dive deep into the transformative power of coaching and mentoring for disengaged and vulnerable youth. Host, Julie Flower is joined by Duncan Cherrett and Ana Collier from Young Devon, a leading charity in the southwest of England dedicated to supporting young people who need more help than traditional systems offer. They share how using a coaching philosophy in their work has provided empowering lifelines for many young people navigating complex life challenges.

Duncan and Ana discuss the evolution of their innovative mentoring programs, the requirements and qualities needed to become a young person’s coach, the challenges of securing consistent funding, particularly for preventative work, and the significance of local knowledge and partnerships. They also explain the significance of different methods of evaluation in demonstrating the impact of their programmes. Listen and learn how a relational, coaching-based approach can reignite potential, foster trust, and build futures that once seemed out of reach.

You Will Learn

• The importance of building trust and rapport with young people
• Specific projects and initiatives by Young Devon aimed at supporting youth
• The training and support they provide to their coaches and mentors

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Guest Bio's

Duncan Cherrett is Head of Skills and Enterprise at Young Devon. His role involves managing the contracts and delivery of Young Devon’s skills programmes and qualifications across the whole county. Duncan works alongside local colleges and youth work services to ensure there is support, choice and opportunity for those young people where traditional forms of education do not match their learning needs.

Ana Collier has a background in mainstream education but moved to youth work to be able to provide more targeted support. She is the Skills, Qualifications and Mentoring Team Leader at Young Devon. She has been working for the charity for almost 8 years and has enjoyed leading teams in the development of coaching and mentoring young people. She believes that all young people deserve the opportunity to thrive and that by practicing listening, encouragement and taking an aspirational approach, we can have great impact on their lives and their futures. She has worked on many projects within the charity and has been able to use innovative methods to reduce barriers for young people, and 5 years ago won a Devon Diamond award from Devon Communities Together. She lives in mid Devon, in a rural town and spends a lot of time outdoors having recently acquired an allotment!

 

Connect with Ana Collier and Duncan Cherrett