Our People

Photo of Hema

Hema Badger-Mistry

Photo of smiling Debbie

Debbie Longley-Brown

Project Development Manager

debbie@pedestrian.info

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Danny Aldred

Education Development Manager & DSL

danny@pedestrian.info

Photo of Ameerah smiling

Ameerah Dawood

Project Delivery Coordinator

ameerah@pedestrian.info

Photo of Selena

Selena Blakeley

Projects & Administration Assistant

selena@pedestrian.info

Photo of a smiling Veronica with her hair down & autumnal tone checked shirt

Veronica Jones

AEP Support Assistant

veronica@pedestrian.info

Photo of Sam wearing a white t.shirt

Sam Oldman - Chair

Sam Oldman spends his time managing a portfolio career. As owner of Oldman and sons – Therapeutic gardeners, he provides opportunities for young adults to access employability and therapeutic services through horticulture. An experienced Learning facilitator and coach, Sam also runs Oldman associates, partnering with business to provide coaching and consultancy to drive high performance. Sam also works as group advisor for Woodside outdoor learning centre, a school for young people with Autism.

Sam is currently training to qualify as a person-centred counsellor with the British association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.

 

“The history, energy and expertise that pedestrian possess is inspiring. To know that Leicester’s young people have the opportunity to access education in the arts in the way that pedestrian deliver, align to my values perfectly. I feel strongly that young people should be able to access education and employability opportunities whatever their circumstance. I am proud to be a small part of what pedestrian do and look forward to supporting the growth of such an important local service”

Dan wearing a suit smiling whilst standing next to the FA cup

Dan Mitchinson - Board Member

Dan is an experienced sport, youth, and community development professional, with over 14 years of experience within the sector. He believes passionately in the transformative role that sport, music, art and wider youth engagement activities can have on young people and within local communities. He is aware that good engagement comes about through an understanding of the needs of local young people and delivering programmes that connect and resonate with them to generate a sense of empowerment, ownership, and pride.

Dan is excited to join the board of Pedestrian and hopes that he can utilise his knowledge and experience to support the growth of the organisation, and to continue to create high quality opportunities for the young people that we serve.

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Helena Sampson- Board member

Helena has worked in education for over 20 years and started off in the creative arts.
She currently works in a leadership position in a school and is responsible for Safeguarding and AP within her role.
Over half her career has been in teaching in the arts and SEND and with children that have Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs. She is the Independent Person for children in a residential setting and advocates for young people.
I am thrilled to be joining the Pedestrian board. Without organisations like Pedestrian I would not have had the inspiration and support in my earlier life that really shaped my future. I genuinely owe the opportunities that I had through community projects in the 90’s to where I am now. We should not underestimate the value of inspiration and exposure to creative opportunities for lifelong success. I am excited to be part of a team that delivers this.

Naj Hassan - Board Member

Naj Hassan has been on the board of Trustees since November 2019. Working full-time for the London Stock Exchange, he brings various skills and knowledge around business efficiency, optimisation, growth, strategy and planning. Naj is also a Leicester Magistrate and an Employability Mentor at De Montfort University. In his spare time, he enjoys composing music and playing five-a-side football.

In his own words: “I am so pleased that I am in a position to add real and sustained value to the strategic direction of a charity doing such important work within our community. I was also a young person using similar services once, making the great work this charity does especially important to me; I am pleased that I am now able to give back in this way. I would like to thank the whole Pedestrian team for the great work they do and the great things they help young people to achieve.”

A photo of Liv smiling wearing a black top and her hair in a middle parting tied back

Liv Southwell - Treasurer

Liv works as a Finance Officer on the GREAT Project, which helps unemployed members of families within the local community find work and training. Olivia is a part qualified Accountant and currently studying towards her last accountancy exams.

“I wanted to get involved in an organisation that was inspiring, energetic and making a real difference for young people within the local community. Pedestrian is that and so much more, I am absolutely thrilled to be part of Pedestrians growth.’

Photo of Helen smiling with long fair hair

Helen Carter - Board Member

Helen works for Leicester City Children and Young People’s Justice Service as the Victim Contact Officer and also organises creative workshops and interventions for young people. Prior to this, she spent several years in the charity and education sectors working to support young people to have the best possible outcomes.
“I am excited to be joining Pedestrian’s Board of Trustees and look forward to being part of an organisation that puts the needs of each individual young person at the heart of their delivery.”