A qualified Social Worker, Nigel joined The Island in 2009 as the Mentoring Co-ordinator, before becoming the Chief Executive Office in 2019. He has extensive experience in working with children and young people and is passionate about our mentoring programmes, which are transforming the lives of those we work with, their families and communities.

Outside of the work he does at The Island, Nigel and his wife, Rachel fosters children and young people for which they both received an MBE for in 2020. Nigel and Rachel now care solely for teenage refugees who have fled persecution and torture.  To find out more about Nigel and his work at The Island, click here.

Manager of Mentoring Services

Emma has been supporting children and young people for over 16 years.  Originally, a volunteer mentor at The Island, Emma was inspired to work with The Island having accessed youth services herself as a teenager which helped her to understand the positive impact that mentoring has in children and young people’s lives.

Emma was promoted to the Manager of Mentoring Services in 2020 after 8 years of service to the charity. 

Emma’s role enables her to work with both mentees and mentors, including developing the training and wider training and personal development opportunities for staff, volunteers and mentees. She also works closely with the CEO to improve the charity’s mentoring programmes as well as develop new services and initiatives.

Outside of The Island, Emma is the Chair of Trustees for a children’s playgroup which gives her the opportunity to further give back to the community. To find out more about Emma and her work at The Island, click here.

David Shepherd

Finance & HR Officer

Lucy Nicholls

Core Service Team Lead

Lucy is Core Service Team Lead and the Designated Safeguarding Lead. Her role is to provide advice and guidance to the core team and ensure the day-to-day running of The Island is efficient.  She has over 7 years of experience working with children and young people in youth work, mentoring and educational settings. She holds a Trauma-Informed diploma and is currently studying towards her Level 3 in counselling. 

Lucy first volunteered in 2018 before joining as a member of staff in 2021 after completing a BSc in Psychology. Her interests include travelling, reading, watching documentaries and socialising.

Lyndsay Fleming

Mentor Supervisor

Lyndsay joined The Island as Mentor Supervisor in July 2024 after completing a BA (Hons) degree in Criminology, bringing with her a passion for supporting young people. Lyndsay's role as Mentor Supervisor is to support the mentors throughout the whole of their mentoring journey here at The Island.  Lyndsay has 2 years' experience as a mentor herself and understands the transformative impact of guidance and support in young lives. 

Alongside her professional role, Lyndsay is a mum to two grown up children which has enriched her perspective on the importance of community and positive role models for children. Outside of The Island Lyndsay also enjoys dog walks and travelling.

Shantelle Bonner

Mentee Liaison Officer

Originally, The Island's Mentor Supervisor, Shantelle became our Mentee Liaison Officer in early 2023.  Shantelle coordinates our referrals, including putting together support packages for young people that they are able to engage in and enjoy. Shantelle carries out the initial assessment and supports the families throughout their time at the Island.

Shantelle has a degree in Working with Children and Young People and holds Level 3 in Safeguarding. Shantelle has previously volunteered supporting teenage parents and male prisoners. As the mother of two children with differing additional needs she is passionate about and recognises the importance of supporting the whole family.

Rachel Platts

Youth Support Worker

Rachel is our longest serving group Youth Worker. Rachel’s background is in Children’s Centre's and Counselling. Her interests are music, animals and spending time with friends and family. Rachel supports our group sessions and provides transport for young people to access our group services. 

Andrew Tippman

After a 15-year career working as a prison tutor, Andrew joined The Island 2020 where he supports the children and young people with their studies.

He believes that games are a great way to learn, especially maths and uses this approach to help The Island's children and young people to fulfil their potential. To find out more about Andrew and his work at The Island, click here.

Michelle Fielding

Core Service Admin Lead

Michelle joined The Island in 2021 as our Administrative Assistant and has recently become our Core Service Admin Lead. Michelle’s role is very varied which she loves and includes managing volunteer applications and recruitment, processing referrals, organising training and providing general administrative support to the team and managing internal communications within the staff and volunteer team. Michelle provides support to other team members and ensures the smooth day-to-day running of the clerical side of our mentoring programmes.

Michelle is a mother of two and a dog mum to her goldendoodle Jessie. Michelle likes listening to music, going to festivals and theme parks. 

Sheena Jackson

Youth Support Worker

Sheena has been working with the Island for almost 2 years as a Youth Support Worker. Before relocating to York 27 years ago, she was a Youth Worker in Scotland. She's previously been a Unit Award Leader for Duke of Edinburgh and is experienced in detached youth work, outreach and residential trips. She has a passion for making a difference.

Outside of work Sheena plays team tennis, is a keen cyclist and enjoys skiiing and hillwalking.  She also cares for hedgehogs, feeds and observes foxes and their kits and is very much into animal welfare.

Bethany Slater

Youth Support Worker

Bethany has been a member of The Island since 2022. Bethany began as a volunteer for our youth group provisions, before becoming one of our casual youth support workers in 2023. 


Outside of The Island, Bethany is completing her MSc in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience. She has a keen interest in developmental disorders and education-based interventions. Bethany’s hobbies include baking, embroidery and pilates.

Cara Jardine

Administration Assistant

Cara has a strong background of working with children and young people, from being an Au pair in Paris, running after school clubs and working in museum education.

Cara joined The Island in early 2023 and her role includes providing effective admin support to the whole team to help ensure the smooth running of the charity.

Stephen Cottrell

Archbishop of York

Stephen Cottrell is the 98^thArchbishop of York. He has previously served as the Bishop of Chelmsford, Bishop of Reading, Canon Pastor at Peterborough Cathedral and Diocesan Missioner for the Diocese of Wakefield. He served in parishes in South London and Chichester. 

He is a member of the Church of England’s Committee for Minority Ethnic Concerns, and Chair of Church Army, an Anglican society for evangelism and social outreach. He is a member of the House of Lords. 

He is a well-known writer and speaker on evangelism, spirituality and catechesis. His latest book, Dear England, addresses issues about how the Christian faith can shape the life of our nation. He is married to Rebecca who is a potter, and they have three sons and one grandson.

Laurence Beardmore

Chair

Paul Devlin

Treasurer

Elly Fiorentini

Trustee

Jonathan Barwick

Trustee

James Bishop

Trustee

Sarah Barwick

Trustee

Lee Vincent

Trustee