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National Advisory Group

The needs of Youth Access members remain at the heart of all our activities and we strive to work at all times in their interests.

Our National Advisory Group of representatives from member organisations help keep Youth Access in touch with our members’ ‘frontline’ work.

National Advisory Group members

George Anastasi
Ilformation, Ilford.
George's background is in teaching, however he preferred the informal nature of his voluntary youth work. After six years of working with the Cypriot community he became a Youth Tutor and managed a brand new purpose built Youth Centre, before managing an Information, Advice and Support project in Redbridge. This entailed developing work with new partnership agencies and setting up appropriate service level agreements. He has always been interested in training and has been involved in many working groups.

Kim Bennett
Young People's Drop-In Support, Croydon
Kim Bennett is the director at Croydon Drop In - Counselling, Advocacy and Health Support for Young People and has worked at Drop In since September 1999.  With a background in youth work, training, social enterprise, mental health and human resource she was able to apply all aspects of her previous learning to this role. Recently qualified as a hynotherapist she is interested to see how this intervention can be of support to young people. Kim has an interest in the local and national agenda that is currently impacting on the lives of young people and is keen to represent their interests in forums where young people may not have a voice.

Julia Bracknell
The Junction, Redcar
For the past 30 years Julia has enjoyed working in variety of organisations, in both statutory and voluntary sectors, with and for very different groups of children and young people. Since 2001 Julia has been the Chief Executive of The Junction, which is a registered charity providing a range of information, support and counselling services for over 400 children and young people aged 25 and under, including those who are young carers, from across the Tees Valley region. The Junction’s services are delivered by 18 staff and up to 15 volunteers at their premises in central Redcar and on an outreach basis across local communities.

Annabel Hodgson
No Limits, Southampton
Annabel has been working with young people for 20 years and has been CEO of No Limits for 11 years – managing the delivery of information, advice, counselling and support to young people aged 11-25 in Southampton. Prior to this she worked as a detached youth worker and as manager of a lesbian and gay youth project. Annabel's particular skills lie in working in partnership with statutory and voluntary sector providers, developing services for young people and fundraising for these.


Sally Hoy
Archway, Leeds
Sally has been working with disadvantaged young people for over 20 years, prior to that she ran pubs. Initially retraining as a Careers Adviser, she worked mainly in London with offenders, then care leavers. She has been at Archway in Leeds for eight years, now focusing mostly on learning and work issues, currently managing a team of 16 PAs, Employment  Workers and Advice Workers.  She takes an active part in the Childrens Trust agenda in Leeds and sits on several of the recently formed IYSS sub groups in the city. She has a particular interest in IAG and staff development.

Patsy Little
Suffolk County Council Youth and Connexions Service, Lowestoft
Patsy has been a youth worker since 1980, working in both the statutory and voluntary sector. Her current role is as Area Youth Officer for north Suffolk Youth and Connexions. This involves operational management for a range of youth provision for young people aged 13-19, including information, support and counselling services.  This aspect of the work takes place in schools, youth projects, and a one-stop-shop, within a multi-agency context and Patsy really believes in its value.  From a counselling background, Patsy is also currently a supervisor for a bereavement support agency in a voluntary capacity.

Dianne Simpson (chair)
Devon Youth Association
Dianne has worked in young peoples services for a considerable time within the statutory and voluntary sector. As Director of Services at Young Devon Diane oversees Housing and Support across Devon, and Youth Enquiry Service which provides counseling; sexual health services, housing (advice and prevention of homelessness, and mental health housing support; plus specialist areas such as Care Leavers and Young Carers. Diane represents the VCS on various groups and forums and as a Director of a newly formed Community Interest Company in Plymouth. She is currently undertaking an MA in Professional Practice in Children and Young Peoples Services in her spare time.


Karen Stott
Off the Record, Croydon
Karen has over 20 years’ experience working in various youth counselling and information projects and is currently Agency Director at Off The Record, Croydon which provides counselling, drug and alcohol support and a young carers project for under 25’s in South London. Off the Record also has a specialist refugee counselling service and a black mental health project. Karen has a long connection with Youth Access including attendance at National Co-ordinator’s meetings and has served on the Executive Committee/National Advisory Group for over 10 years.

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