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.

David Shepherd

Finance & HR Officer

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

Core Team Leader

Originally, The Island's Mentor Supervisor, Shantelle became our Mentee Liaison Officer in early 2023. Shantelle now coordinates the core team and service but still carries out some Mentee Liaison duties - as that is her passion! She is also The Island's designated safeguarding lead.

As the mother of two children, she recognises the importance of supporting the whole family and endeavours to achieve this with every family throughout their time at The Island. In her spare time she enjoys being with her family, socialising and travelling.

Louise Alford

Head of Fundraising

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. 

Bethan Gibb-Reid

Grants Officer

Bethan is one of the newest members of the team, joining in November 2024. She is The Island’s Grants Officer, and has a background in charity management in the arts, heritage and culture sector, including in supporting young people to access creative and cultural experiences in York. Bethan has volunteered with young people in youth group and mentoring settings and is passionate about ensuring every young person is given opportunities to help them flourish. 



Outside of work, Bethan is a culture vulture, regularly found at the cinema, gigs, or the theatre. She likes to swim, read, craft, and cook – and is the happy cat parent of a rather playful black cat called Babs. 

Bethany Slater

Research Officer

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.

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