Chloe Walker – Services Manager

Chloe is a methodical and motivated individual who has worked within the care sector for over the past 11 years. Previous roles have included Residential Support Worker, House Manager, Designated Safeguarding Officer and Deputy Head of Care and holds her NVQ level 5 in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare.
She has an excellent understanding of the requirements of the service, audit processes and legislation. She is child centred, approachable and instrumental in the development of the service.

Level 3 NVQ in Health and Social Care – Children and Young People
NVQ level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for residential care
Designated Safeguarding Lead

Tash Dews – Operations Manager

Tash has over 15 years of experience supporting young people of all ages in various settings. She has worked in primary and secondary schools as a teaching assistant and then as a pastoral manager coordinating support for young people to enable them to succeed and reach their full potential.

She is trained as a forest school leader and enjoys sharing her passion for bushcraft and the outdoors with young people. Tash delivered an Alternative Provision Programme for young people that were excluded from school and at risk of criminal exploitation.

Tash is an energetic and enthusiastic individual who strives to build positive relationships with the young people she supports. She will adapt her approach to meet their individual needs to ensure they gain as much as possible from working together.

OCN Forest School Leader Level 3
NVQ 2 Supporting teaching and Learning
HLTA
Youth services Training

Ash Hickman – Mentor

With over a decade of service in the British Army, I am highly experienced and well travelled, having taken part in training exercises and operational tours across the world. I lived in Germany for ten years before returning to the UK and deciding to pursue a change of career.

Prior to joining Life Shed, I held a range of managerial and mentoring roles, including work within an alternative provision setting. After leaving the Army, I also trained with HM Coastguard as a mud technician, assisting in the rescue of individuals trapped in soft mud and sinking sand along the Kent coastline.

Alongside my role at Life Shed, I am a retained Firefighter with Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, responding to a wide variety of incidents across the county.

First Response Emergency Care (FREC 3) First Aid
Level 2 in Understanding mental health first aid and advocacy in the workplace
PREVENT
PREVENT Referral
Working towards Level 2 in understanding Autism
Working towards Level 3 in Training and Education
LANTRA Brushcutter and line trimmer
LANTRA award PA1 & PA6 spraying
Drone operator GVC, A2 CofC

Dan Bailey – Mentor

Previously to his role as Mentor at Life Shed, Dan worked as a groundsman at schools for 4 years and during this time Dan was asked to support in youth groups in the evenings, this led to Dan knowing he wanted to work full time with young people who required understanding, support and belief.

Dan then enjoyed 23 years in residential childcare settings, with Dan gaining a great deal of experience as well as an NVQ Level 3 in Children and Young People whilst working in Senior Support Worker and Deputy Manager roles during this time.

Dan is patient and positive, and enjoys getting to know young people, getting to know their hopes and strengths, and recognising where these skills can enhance young people’s lives.

Dan has an adventurous personality, enjoys new experiences and being active when at home and enjoys spending most of his time outside with his children and their dog.

Level 3 NVQ in Health and Social Care – Children and Young People

Darren Shelbourne – Mentor

I’m an experienced and approachable Child Mentor with a strong background in supporting children and young people. Having previously worked with children in residential care and as a response police officer, I bring a wealth of experience in building positive relationships, managing challenging situations and supporting young people through difficult circumstances.

I’m passionate about helping children develop confidence, resilience and the skills they need to succeed. I believe in taking a patient, consistent and individual approach, recognising that every young person has different needs, strengths and experiences.

Outside of work, I enjoy football and spending time outdoors. I particularly enjoy being active and using outdoor activities and sport as a way of building relationships, developing confidence and encouraging teamwork.

I’m excited to use my experience to make a positive difference to the children and young people I work with, helping them feel valued, supported and able to achieve their potential.

Dominic Brand – Mentor

I’m a former chef with over 13 years’ experience in professional kitchens, including running my own restaurant. I hold an NVQ Level 3 in Professional Catering as well as a National Diploma in Art and Design, blending creativity with culinary skill. I’m passionate about experimenting with food, trying out new recipes, and foraging for wild ingredients—especially during walks in the mountains.

Outside the kitchen, I enjoy skateboarding, snowboarding, and listening to alternative music. I also play the bass guitar, which has been a long-time creative outlet for me. Life is never dull with two young children and our two dogs, Conker and Lola, who are very much part of the family.

Whether it’s exploring nature, creating in the kitchen, or chasing adventure on a board, I’m always looking for new ways to stay inspired and connected to the things I love.

National diploma, Art and design
NVQ level 2 and 3, professional catering
Archery instructor

Ella Preston – Mentor

Ella is beginning an exciting new chapter as a Mentor at Life Shed. With three years of experience as a primary school teacher, she brings a wealth of knowledge, dedication, and passion for supporting young people.

Throughout her career, Ella has always had children’s best interests at heart. She has supported pupils across a wide range of needs — from helping children learn to read, to guiding those experiencing friendship difficulties, additional needs, or developing essential life skills. Her approach is centred on nurturing each child’s potential, encouraging them to achieve all they can and grow into confident, successful individuals.

Ella strongly believes that every young person deserves the opportunity to chase their dreams. She is caring, kind, and compassionate, and is committed to building trusting relationships where young people feel safe, valued, and understood. She aims to be a friendly and approachable presence — someone young people can feel comfortable turning to for support.

Outside of her work supporting young people, Ella has a strong passion for sport and staying active. She plays both netball and rugby competitively and enjoys the teamwork, resilience, and determination that sport brings — values she also encourages in the young people she works with.

BA Honours degree in Primary Education

Emma Llewellyn – Mentor

Emma is beginning an exciting new chapter as a mentor at Life Shed, bringing with her a strong foundation in emotional support, self-esteem work, and mental health awareness. This career change is rooted in a long-standing passion for helping others feel understood, supported, and capable.

Guided by her own lived experience of navigating emotional regulation, confidence, and feeling out of place in systems not designed for everyone, Emma is deeply motivated to support young people who may feel overlooked or misunderstood. She believes that when young people feel safe, seen, and accepted, they are far more able to grow, learn, and believe in themselves.

Emma loves nature, animals, reading and history (particularly old castles or medieval buildings) and has a good sense of humour that enables her to connect with others easily.

Emma’s strengths lie in building trusting relationships, creating emotionally safe spaces, and supporting young people to understand their thoughts and feelings without shame. She brings warmth, patience, humour and genuine care to her work, and is committed to learning, growing, and offering reliable support as she develops in this new role.

Level 2 Counselling Skill
Diploma in CBT Skills
Level 2 Behaviour that Challenges
Level 2 Mental Health Awareness

Isobel Broadley

New to the role of working with young people, Izzy brings with her valuable experience supporting children in educational settings, helping them navigate emotions and challenging situations. She is able to think logically and strategically about how to position herself as a mentor at Life Shed, always focusing on the best interests of the children she supports.

Over the past three years, Izzy has spent three winter seasons in France and three summer seasons working at a variety of festivals, gaining valuable experience in team management and event organisation. She now applies these skills in her role at Life Shed, where she works efficiently and offers reliable, consistent support.

Izzy also has many years of experience teaching children to swim — an area she is particularly passionate about and looks forward to incorporating into her sessions at Life Shed. With her bubbly, enthusiastic, and compassionate nature, Izzy’s sessions are sure to be filled with fun, engaging, and meaningful activities.

STA certificate Swimming Teaching

Jessica Guillemin – Mentor

Jess first joined Life Shed as a placement student while studying Psychology, gaining experience working with young people. After graduating with a First Class Degree in Psychology, she returned to Life Shed as a Mentor, combining her academic knowledge and experience to support young people in a positive, person-centred way.

Jess also spent two summers working at a summer camp in Maine, USA, as a watersports instructor, teaching canoeing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP). Working in an outdoor environment helped Jess develop her skills in leading activities, building positive relationships and encouraging young people to try new experiences and challenge themselves.

With a particular interest in psychology and wellbeing, Jess is passionate about helping young people recognise their strengths and build self-esteem. She enjoys creating supportive opportunities where young people can learn new skills, experience success and grow at their own pace.