Steven Richards

Founder & Director

Steven Richards is the founder and Director of Raising the Level and Manager/Head Coach of Heath Ballerz FC and is highly experienced having over 20 years experience of working within Public Health, Offending behaviour and Community & Youth work.

Specialist areas:

Public Health (Health and wellbeing), Harm Reduction (risk taking behaviour/offender management), Community Engagement and Youth Intervention.

Personal Statement

Having worked for over 27 years with young people Steven wanted to create an organisation that could develop bespoke programmes and interventions that offered flexibility in its delivery and approach to meet the diverse needs of young people and ther families.

His passion is engaging with individuals and creating approaches and opportunities that give them the platform to express their feelings and reach their full potential.  Building resilience and coping mechanisms for the individuals that engage with Raising the Level.

With the experience of working directly with diverse populations in addressing issues and drivers of offending or risk taking behaviour, both within groups and on a 1 to 1 basis with issues ranging from drugs, gangs, knife crime, CSE, generic welfare, family breakdowns and relationship issue. 

Steven also ran an adult football team in Birmingham’s AFA league for 15 years within a deprived inner-city area and currently coaches U18s boys and open-aged Ladies football team.

Paulette Sawyers

Director
 

Specialist areas:

Education, training, policy development, gender- based issues, community engagement and youth intervention

Personal Statement

Paulette has over 20 years experience as a professionally qualified Youth & Community Work practitioner (BPhil (Ed) and a Master’s degree in Social Work Studies (MA Social Work Studies). 

Working in posts in Further Education as a lecturer and more recently, a University Lecturer where she was recently awarded a Masters level qualification in teaching (PGCert HE). 

Paulette has a passion for working with young people who are often labelled as marginalised through multiple intersecting systemic, societal and individual circumstances especially working around gender-based issues - specifically domestic violence, training and policy development, homelessness support.  With her skills and experience of undertaking interventions with young people who are disengaged from education, looked after young people and young offenders she understands the impact personal experiences will have on a young person life and self belief.  

Paulette brings her skills and knowledge to support the young people and families that are involved with Raising the Level.

Chanelle Alexander

Director

Specialist areas:

Human Resource, Recruitment and Training Process including national policies such as Equality & Diversity and Safeguarding 

Personal Statement

Working in Human Resource since 2004 Chanelle has gained an understanding of the different methods to attract and recruit the best candidates, as well as developing them once they're an employee or volunteer. 

Qualifed with a CIPD Certificate in Personnel Practice and graduate diplomas in HR Management and Strategic Leadership and Executive Management Chanelle brings skills and a wealth of experience and knowledge to the area of HR, employment relations and training.

Chanelle brings knowledge on how strategic decisions can effect an organisaton's future path and help with developing an organisation that meets the operational requirements for staff, volunteers and service users.