‘Approachable, knowledgeable, and dedicated’

Lying on a stained office carpet at a job I loved, my concern wasn’t with what the stains were, but with staying alive. I clutched my chest and a bright light appeared. Paramedics told me this was a panic attack. And so began my journey…

Journey to the floor

I’d been working working with children and young people since before I left college as a Scout Leader across all ages. I was soon running two groups, both of which I was instrumental in launching, and at 17 was a District leader coordinating programmes and group development across Oxford. I remained leading weekly sessions for nearly 20 years. Meanwhile, I worked with many of Oxford’s schools, primarily pastoral roles, often as key worker for those with SEND/SEMH (including teaching literacy using FFT in primary). I also worked for the local authority advising schools on best practice around engagement.

Entering my final year at University, a compounding of issues saw me collapse at work and diagnosed with a mental health condition. I blended everything I knew to create my final dissertation on young people’s wellbeing, using my lived experience to better appreciate and understand the struggles those I worked with were facing. I graduated from the Open University with a 2:1 BA (Hons) in Youth Work.

Making it work

I retrained as a Relax Kids Coach, running sessions in schools and for home educated children. From there I’ve further trained in life coaching and counselling skills, and added to my portfolio with Story Massage, Drawing and Talking Therapy, and more. This gave a massive boost to my own confidence bringing me back to the storyteller I used to be. I’d trained in theatre since a child with various community and professional theatre-makers in on-stage and backstage arenas being. With my passion for writing and storytelling (see www.roypeach.net) I now merge these many aspects of my work to find creative solutions to support young people in whatever topic we’re covering when I’m coaching, bringing a fun, quirky energy to our work. That playfulness is coupled with a commitment to you, and if we work together, I’m putting you at the heart of what we do. This is a collaboration – a combining of thoughts, feelings, and ideas to find solutions that work.

The reality

I’ve been highly praised by everyone I have worked with over the years, and it’s been hundreds of children and young people, schools, and charities that I’ve supported to pick apart issues that may be affecting them, providing early intervention before perhaps more specialist support is needed. As one person put it, ‘You’re the thing that is holding it together until we reach CAMHS’. I’ve saved youth clubs from permanent closure, and in 2023, received the High Sheriff of Oxfordshire’s Award for services to young people. I am also the Engagement and Education Manager for Justice in Motion with my current focus on county lines awareness. I hold Public Liability Insurance.

‘Alex’s’ Story

‘Alex’ attended an Oxford secondary school and was heading into GCSE years – a knowledgeable pupil who could flourish. As a global pandemic hit, his anxiety for attending school grew. Being creative with how we approached sessions in line with Government rules, we spent an intensive period of time working through thoughts and feelings, paired with a toolkit of skills to help him rebalance the status quo.

Once back in school, regular follow-up sessions gave space to discuss progress. I received notification a year later, he had passed his GCSE exams with flying colours. His feedback is below.