Our Operations Team
Amira Asantewa, Keri Caines and Clare Turnbull
Our Operations team is responsible for managing all elements of programme delivery on a day-to-day operational basis to enable milestones, outputs and outcomes to be achieved, to time and on budget. This involves managing the interface between Youth at Risk, the commissioning bodies (our clients), delivery partners and all other organisations involved with our programmes, such as members of local strategic partnerships
Our team play a vital role ensuring the many elements involved in a Youth at Risk programme come together and that the programme is delivered to plan. They develop and maintain key relationships with our clients and partners in the many environments in which we work and also with our trainers and volunteers.
In addition to this they have specific responsibilities.
Amira Asantewa - Operations Manager
Amira began her Youth at Risk career in 1998 as a volunteer on a ‘Coaching for Communities’ programme in Leeds, progressing rapidly to become project manager.
She then coached the development and follow through phases of 'Coaching for Communities' programmes in Liverpool, Hammersmith & Fulham, Buckinghamshire and Essex between 2001 and 2003 before taking on her present role.
Keri Caines - Operations Manager
Kez develops and manages our corporate relationships. She is also responsible for the development of new programmes, IT and holds line manager responsiblity for the Finance Officer.
Kez spent 9 years working for Cadbury Schweppes as a Systems Analyst in Finance before opting for a career change and joining Youth at Risk. Prior to this, she spent time as an humanitarian aid worker in Romania and as a teacher in Japan.
Clare Kanakides (nee Turnbull)– Programmes Development Manager
Clare works on developing and designing new programmes, working closely with Jon Downs (Head of Development and Innovation) to identify potential funding streams and submit applications. Clare is accountable within the organisation for the evaluation system and processes, and also annually reviews Youth at Risk’s Safeguarding Policies.
Prior to joining Youth at Risk Clare worked as a researcher, investigating the impact of the arms trade on human rights. She has worked with children and young people as a classroom assistant and as a personal tutor, specialising in working with primary age children. Clare also spent time volunteering for a charity for deaf children and adults in Tamil Nadu, South India. Clare holds a BA (Hons) in Development and Peace Studies from the University of Bradford.
