Management Team Expand Mark Willmore - Head of Learning, Training and Employment Mark has 15 years’ experience working as a Careers Adviser, Learning Coach and Strategic Manger working to increase opportunities for young people and women furthest away from the labour market. Mark believes everyone deserves an opportunity to unlock their potential. He still tries to play football for his local team and enjoys watching all sport! Lisa Gardiner - Curriculum & Quality Co-Ordinator Lisa has worked in post 16 education for over 20 years. She has always specialised in literacy and numeracy skills development and previously acted as a consultant for Welsh Government in Basic Skills. Lisa enjoys baking cakes, walking her dogs and gardening Gareth Hawkins - Contract Co-Ordinator Gareth has worked in post 16 education for over 10 years and has a background in teaching and youth work. In his spare time, Gareth enjoys hiking with his dogs and has a keen interest in DIY. Dionne Llewellyn - Contract Adminstrator Dionne has 4 years admin experience, and joined the Education at Llamau team after a successful Jobs Growth Wales placement. Dionne enjoys going to the cinema, shopping and has a love for animals. Matt Parry - Involvement and Engagement Manager Matt has been a qualified youth and community worker for over 30 years, and has worked in both the voluntary and statutory sectors. Matt is passionate about creating opportunities for those he works with to thrive, and be the best version of themselves. Outside of work, Matt enjoys travel, trips away in his campervan and all things Elvis! Angela Parkin – Learning, Training and Employment Administrator Angela has 10 years’ experience of working with third sector organisations across Wales. Angela has previously worked for Wales Council for Voluntary Action on a number of grant funded projects including the Active Inclusion fund. Outside of work, Angela’s hobbies consist of travelling, Formula One and crocheting.
Post 16 Tutors & Learner Support Assistants Expand Please be aware that staff work peripatetically and may be required to work in more than one area. Heather Morrison – Tutor (Vale of Glamorgan) Heather has been a post 16 lecturer for over 18 years. Loves the outdoors, cooking cakes and following the Welsh rugby. Melissa Eskins – Tutor (Bridgend) Melissa has worked in Post 16 education as a Lecturer in secondary schools and the private education sector, specifically working with those with behavioral, emotional and social difficulties. Melissa loves seeing young people grow and develop and wants to give them the best opportunity to be successful. In her spare time Melissa enjoys walking her Miniature Schnauzer, spending time with family and playing Lawn Green bowls. Sian Llewellyn - Tutor (Cardiff) Sian has teaching experience in Maths at secondary school. She enjoys supporting young people to develop their skills and confidence. Sian has a keen interest in art and travelling. Kevin Hougardy - Tutor (Cardiff) Kevin has worked in education for 25 years. The last 5 years have been in the Llamau Education at Llamau team. Before joining Llamau, he taught history and was a head of year in Key Stage 4. In his spare time, he enjoys walking, the cinema and eating out. Emma Kasocheka - Tutor (Caerphilly) Emma has over 10 years’ experience working with children and young people. After completing a Post Graduate Diploma in Youth and Community Development, Emma worked with different youth organisations in Africa, helping to implement UNICEF funded projects which aimed to empower young people. She also taught basic skills in rural schools in Malawi. Emma is adventurous and enjoys Taekwon-do, swimming and loves animals. Sammy Lacey - Tutor (RCT) Sammy completed a Fine Art Painting Degree and then went on to complete a PGCE. She has 5 years experience teaching and loves the energy that comes from working with young people. In her spare time Sammy loves all things Harry Potter, spending time with her friends and baking delicious treats! Amanda Jones – Tutor (RCT) Amanda has taught Religious Studies for over 15 years in secondary schools in Merthyr Tydfil and Newport. She loves being able to give support to young people to help improve their opportunities. In her spare time she enjoys running, reading, relaxing and taking her children rock climbing. Laura Wheeler - Tutor (Blaenau Gwent) Laura is a fully qualified youth worker and tutor, who has worked with young people in both statutory and voluntary settings since 2006. She enjoys listening to music, dancing and anything Harry Potter. Amy Morgan - Tutor (Blaenau Gwent) Amy is a qualified secondary school teacher who has experience in community education and a degree in Religious Studies. Her interests include reading, gardening and walking her dogs. Richard Lewis - Tutor (Swansea) Richard is a qualified teacher in post compulsory education who has worked in Apprenticeship and Traineeship programmes for many years. He is an experienced Assessor and Essential Skills tutor who is passionate about helping young people develop their skills for work and life. In his spare time Richard enjoys music, cooking and the outdoors. Denise Pickersgill - Tutor (Swansea) Denise is a qualified teacher in post compulsory education, who has experience with teaching Maths and Essential Skills to young people within colleges and community settings. In her spare time she enjoys music, festivals, camping and quizzes Jacob Lewis - Learning Support Assistant (Cardiff) Jacob is a graduate from the academy of contemporary music has worked as a music Tutor inside and outside of schools specializing in music theory and guitar performance. He is also an avid martial artist and competes in Boxing and MMA. David Skillern - Post 16 Tutor (Caerphilly) David has worked in Post 16 Education as a lecturer in Colleges in South Wales and England and for the past 8 years has worked as a tutor via EOTAS in Caerphilly. David relishes new challenges and loves supporting all the young people he works with and seeing their achievements and successes. In his spare time he loves spending time with his family and also volunteers on Hospital Radio Glamorgan where he presents 2 live shows a week!
Progression Coaches Expand Darren Williams - Progression Coach (Caerphilly & RCT) Darren has worked with Llamau for over 5 years and has a clear vision about the future of the young people we support. Darren has a forward thinking approach and is driven by the belief that he can turn all doubters into believers! Laura Richards - Progress Placement Liaison Officer (Caerphilly) Laura has been working with Llamau for 6 years, she enjoys her role and likes meeting new people. Laura enjoys socialising with family and friends, listening to country music and attending music concerts Dave Steer - Progression Coach (Cardiff) Dave has worked in education for nearly 20 years. He has worked in Further Education, but spent the majority of his career as a Learning Coach in a secondary school. Dave’s interests include Australian soaps, girl bands and attending gigs. Elli Jones – Progression Coach (Cardiff) Elli has been working with Llamau for over 18 years and is passionate about presenting educational and work options to young people, so they can develop new skills and progress with their lives. In her spare time Elli enjoys photography walks with friends, camping, and gardening. Sarah Norris – Progression Coach (Swansea) Sarah has worked as a support worker with young people for 14 years and is passionate about promoting equal opportunities for all. In her spare time she likes running, listening to music and spending time with family and friends.
Involvement & Engagement Expand Sarah Walker - Involvement and Engagement Coordinator Sarah has been working at Llamau for over 5 years and is passionate about the impact of engagement on young people and the sharing of opportunities and activities. Sarah loves festivals, music, the beach and spending time with her husband, two children and two cats. Sam Deere - Involvement and Engagement Coordinator Sam has had over 20 years' experience working with young people who have been through homelessness and are care experienced. Sam is keen to ensure all young people and women are felt listened to and are able to reach their full potential. Her interests include camping, laughing and food. Natasha Taylor - Peer and Adult Mentoring Co-ordinator (Cardiff) Natasha is a qualified youth worker and have over 11 years of experience of working with children and young people within the North and the South of the country. Natasha loves spending time with my friends and family and taking her dog for long muddy walks.