Meet the team

Robin – is Co-Founder and Director of Rise:61. He has led teams his whole life and his greatest strength as a leader is knowing he doesn’t have all the answers! Robin has been involved in youth work for over 20 years and has worked for charities since 2007.

“My love for the community of Bemerton Heath started whilst I was working as a van driver for a local charity and I moved onto the estate in 2009. I have lived here ever since and feel so blessed to help gather teams of amazing individuals who are passionate about seeing it rise and helping its children, young people and their families thrive. My greatest joy outside of work is just chilling out with my wife, daughter and dog Alfie. I also love playing or watching sport with my mates and am currently trying to get better at mountain biking, especially as most of the young people we take on rides are so much better at it than me!”

Simon – Simon is our Bemerton Heath Bike Hub Manager. He’s a qualified bike mechanic, trained teacher and an incredible musician. His role involves overseeing our Bike Hub project, running bike mechanic sessions with local young people, and restoring and selling second hand bikes.

“During my time living in Bemerton Heath I have met some amazingly creative and energetic young people, and it’s been great seeing young people thrive through their involvement in the Bike Hub. When I’m not fixing bikes I love listening to and playing music, sharing meals with friends, trail running, and playing board games.”

Becks – Becks is our Creative Hub Manager. She makes sure the Creative Hub log cabin is equipped and ready to be filled with students in the daytime, and local young people in our after school Creative Club. Anything creative that young people want to have a go at, she tries to make happen! Becks is also our Volunteer Lead, Safeguarding Schools Liaison, and she does 1:1 mentoring.

“I’ve been a youth worker since 2009, and still love working with young people – the teenage years are so unique, intense, fun, yet complicated and often really hard. To be able to give quality attention and support to young people walking this stage of life is such a huge privilege! When I’m not working you’ll find me chasing after my two young sons, or lapping up nature somewhere, somehow!!“

Ben – Ben is our Active Hub Manager, who has been working with young people for over 15 years.  Ben uses his years of expertise in personal training to support young people to engage and grow in their fitness journey.

“I really love working for Rise:61, I’m excited to engage and get alongside young people in the heath! When not working for Rise:61 I am a Personal Trainer, and enjoy working with others to help them reach their healthy lifestyle goals, and training myself!”

Mike – Mike is Co-Founder and Head of Operations. With a Business degree, Social Work masters and a background in social enterprise, fundraising and youth work he brings many skills together to support the operations of Rise:61 to run smoothly.

“It has been amazing being part of the team that has seen Rise:61 grow and develop since the start. I passionately believe in the potential of young people in this community. When I’m not working I love being outdoors, hanging out with friends or playing with my three young sons.”

Joe – Joe previously worked with youth for 4 years as an outdoor instructor and after completing a degree in Youth and Community work he joined Rise:61 in 2022. Joe is full of energy and ideas and you’ll see him working alongside young people in a range of settings including riding bikes, lifting weights or taking them on adventures. 

“Working with the young people of Bemerton Heath is wonderful. I love being able to come alongside young people hear their stories and encourage them to reach their goals and potential. My faith in Jesus gives me hope and excitement for this community. When I’m not working you can usually find me doing something active with my wife or alternatively in a coffee shop with a good book.”

Beth – Beth has been working with youth since she stopped being one and started work with us in 2022! She loves working with young people and getting to know their story. She is a big fan of anything classified as fun, whether that be climbing, swimming, pottery making, painting or sitting in cafes. Beth is particularly passionate about mentoring young girls/women and finds she is often inspired by their courage, joy and strength..

“I love being a part of the Rise:61 team. There’s something pretty special about working in such a tight knit community and a massive part of that is getting to know the young people and their families through our clubs, events and Alternative Provision. The reason I’m in this job in the first place is because of my faith in Jesus. He’s shown me the importance of caring for those in your community and loving others well.”

Shaun – is from Bemerton Heath and has been a part of Rise:61 nearly his whole life – he used to watch the older youth play football & beg to join in when he was just a toddler! In 2025 Shaun officially joined the staff team as a Youth Sessional Worker, helping bring so much fun to our after school drop-in clubs!

 

Jazz – joined the team in 2025 after volunteering with us and before that being one of our very own young people! She spent her adolescent years growing up on Bemerton Heath, she’s a brilliant actor and is the most amazing encourager for the young people who come along to our activities each week.

“I love helping the young people out, knowing that they can go home with a smile on their face. The chats we have, especially the really interesting ones during some of our clubs are really fun! I met lots of friends through RISE:61 as a young person, so I love working for Rise because I want to help young people, in the way RISE:61 helped me when I was younger.”

Kate – lives on Bemerton Heath with her children, and became involved with Rise:61 through volunteering before joining the team as a sessional youth worker in 2025. She’s a great listener and hugely talented, being an actor, singer and artist, avid reader and runner.  

“I feel privileged to witness the impact of Rise:61 through the various clubs, sessions and trips I’ve been involved with and now to be involved as a sessional youth worker and able to give back to my community. It’s a joy to see young people thriving and I look forward to helping them achieve this.”

Danni – leads the trustee team and has extensive experience and skills in the areas of charity leadership, operations, and strategy planning. Danni is Chief Network Officer at the Trussell Trust, an anti-poverty charity that supports a community of food banks across the UK and works toward a future where no one needs to use a food bank to survive.

“I am really delighted to join the board at this exciting time as we explore our future strategy. Over the past few months as I have got to know the organisation more, I have been struck by the passion, commitment and calibre of the staff, trustee and volunteer team at Rise:61, and the excellence and integrity in which all the projects are carried out.”

Shannon – grew up on Bemerton Heath and was the first young person to engage with our youth activities back in 2009.  She brings a deep understanding of the community and its young people to the team.  Shannon works for the NHS in Research.

“This community has got a huge part of my heart. I know how important having a trusted adult outside my family was in my younger years and I’m so passionate about ensuring others have safe spaces and trusted people who they can journey through life with.”

Laura – lives on Bemerton Heath with her husband and three children. She works part time as a GP, splitting her time between a Salisbury surgery, two local care homes, and a mental health hospital..

“We’ve volunteered with Rise:61 over many years and now play a more informal role seeking to nurture community and good relationships with our neighbours. We are passionate about hospitality and host regular community meals and a house group in our home.”

Liz- works in investment management and was a founding trustee of the Trussell Trust helping develop its network of foodbanks across the UK. She endeavours to help Rise:61 with its governance and writing grant applications.

“It’s a privilege to be a trustee of such a dynamic charity and to work alongside colleagues who have seen the need to build relationships and hope across Bemerton Heath. They are brimming over with God’s love for the community and are passionate about seeing lives changed and hope restored.”

Sophie- grew up on Bemerton Heath and is passionate about seeing the community thrive. She brings a wealth of experience to the trustee team, with over 10 years experience in accountancy, being a trainer in safeguarding, and now working as the youth pastor at St Francis and Hope Church in Salisbury. 

“I love working with Rise:61 because they are providing support and opportunities for young people that I wish I had when I was younger. Everyone who works with/for Rise:61 is genuinely full of love for their neighbour which is inspiring to me as a Christian. It is a privilege to help as a Trustee and has made my life richer.”