Jenni Moore

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Jenni originally began her career in Education as a Secondary Science teacher specialising in behaviourally challenging groups. She stayed within this area for 10 years, before expanding her skillset by becoming an outdoors instructor and working with adult, children and corporate groups to promote wellbeing.

Although she originally qualified in Secondary Education, her work here was largely in the primary sector since 2015, and she has held roles ranging from Class Teacher, Key Stage Coordinator, Regional Coordinator, Assistant Director of Science, Initial Teacher Training Mentor and Lead Outdoor Learning Instructor.

As well as delivering a wide range of subjects, Jenni developed a specialism in wellbeing and through discussion joined as an Associate Consultant Trainer at our 2018 Summer School, delivering a workshop on curriculum engagement; this led to a 4 year involvement in both nurture and nurtureuk, eventually being appointed to the Kent project in 2022.

Laura Lehman

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Laura is nurtureuk’s head of marketing and communications and is responsible for the charity’s external relations.

Before joining nurtureuk, Laura led communications for the charity Adoption UK. Prior to that she worked in journalism.

Laura lives in Oxfordshire with her husband and two young children. She is passionate about ensuring children and families have the right foundations to thrive.

Outside of work, Laura spends lots of time with her lovely family – but on the rare moment she’s alone she loves nothing better than curling up with a good book.

Wendy Roden

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Wendy is nurtureuk‘s National Training Development and Innovation Manager.

Wendy has a long career in teaching and in developing and supporting nurture groups. She joined nurtureuk Board of Management in 2010, stepping down when she was appointed National Training Officer in 2012.

As a Special Educational Needs co-ordinator and Social Inclusion coordinator in a secondary school she was responsible for developing and managing provision for pupils with a wide range of additional needs. It was during this time and through links with the first primary nurture group in Cumbria that she realised the potential of nurture groups.

Working as a Behaviour and Attendance Improvement Programme coordinator involved working with schools to develop innovative approaches targeted towards addressing some of the ‘barriers to learning’ experienced by children and young people. Aiming to raise aspirations and ‘narrow the gap’ to secure active engagement and positive outcomes. As part of this programme a number of schools developed nurture groups. She coordinated networking and professional development opportunities including an annual nurture group conference in Cumbria.

Her commitment to nurture groups is from experience in seeing the positive outcomes for children, young people, parents and carers and schools.

Victoria Norris

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Over the past 20+ years, Victoria has built an extensive skillset in Primary Education, alongside her ‘past life’ as a Sales and Marketing professional.

Although she originally qualified in Secondary Education, her background is largely Primary. She has worked in the primary sector since 1999, and has held roles ranging from class teacher, subject leader, SLT member and Headteacher.

As well as delivering key subjects, Victoria developed a specialism in Health Education and Relationships Education. To develop her knowledge in this area, she undertook the 3-day Theory and Practice of Nurture Groups training; this led to a 15 year involvement with both nurture and nurtureuk.

Tom Ryan

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Tom is nurtureuk‘s Director of Products, Services and Impact, based in London, and leads on operations, including the work of the consultancy and training teams.

Before joining nurtureuk, Tom worked as a director at The Key, helping its online information and guidance services for leaders and governors reach over half the schools in England. He’s worked in the not-for-profit sector for environmental and education charities, running education programmes, influencing government policy and developing volunteering opportunities for young people. He’s passionate about education and is committed to creating a nurturing environment for every child in every school.

Tom has a first degree in engineering and management, and a masters in public policy, and is a member of the Chartered Management Institute.

Outside work, he enjoys walking in the woods and spending as much time as possible with his young son.

Shirley Kennedy

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Shirley joined the team in 2018 and she is nurtureuk‘s Operations Co-ordinator.

She is co-ordinating delivery of our services from our Paisley office.

Melisa Brawls

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Melisa joined the nurtureuk team in 2014 and is based in the West of Scotland. After completing her BA Degree in Business Information Management she then went on to work as an Administrative/Office manager within a commercial diving school.

After joining the nurtureuk team Melisa’s role has changed and adapted over the years and she has just finished editing her first publication for the charity.

Melisa has two young children and is passionate about making sure all children receive the best start in life and is offered the help and support they need to thrive.

In her spare time she is kept on her toes with two toddlers and is thrilled to have someone to enjoy her Disney passion with. She has a slight obsession with planning and stationery, if there is a list to be made she will be on the case!

Jonathan Green

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Jonathan is a keen marketing enthusiast, with years of experience in both digital and traditional marketing and communications. 

Jonathan began his career working in sales in the luxury cruise industry. Since moving into marketing, his roles have focused on such areas as content creation, copywriting, website management, social media, email marketing, paid media and blogging. He has also done voluntary work for a charity in the education sector.

Jonathan attended the University of Portsmouth, where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Media Studies.

Outside of work, he has a passion for travel. His other interests include photography, football, basketball and health/fitness.

Jenny Perry

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Jenny began working with nurtureuk in 2019 as a consultant trainer and soon after as the Programme Manager for the Violence Reduction Unit projects. Having spent 20 years as an English teacher and senior leader in Secondary and SEMH settings it became very clear that her passion was for working with those young people who were being left behind; the ones that many had given up on or thought too late to help. The social, emotional and mental health of young people has always been at the centre of her practice which is why nurtureuk and the violence reduction units were such a great fit.

In her ‘spare’ time she loves to bake, read, and veg out in front of a good box set but mainly it is all about spending time with her lovely family and ridiculous dogs.

Harry Freeman

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Based in Greater Manchester, Harry leads on the Nurturing Kent Project which is aiming to support Kent County Council’s County wide approach to embed the nurturing principles and practices across mainstream Primary and Secondary schools.

Before joining nurtureuk, Harry worked as an Operations Manager at The Prince’s Trust, overseeing the education provision across the whole of Greater Manchester, supporting schools to deliver a range of programmes that tackled educational inequalities and closed the aspiration gaps for young people moving on to further education, employment, or training. He’s worked in the education sector for the last 9 years in both schools and within the not-for-profit sector for education charities. He’s passionate about education and always places the impact and development of young people at the heart of everything he does. He is excited to be able to continue to embed this passion across the work nurtureuk have planned in years to come.

Outside work, he enjoys walking, live music, and sports, in particular, football and rugby.