Staff

Ben Hogbin (Project Manager)

"In 2004 I graduated from Bath Spa University with a first class honours degree in Media Communications & Sociology. Whilst at university I worked part time with young offenders, children in care and also supported young people with learning disabilities. This, coupled with my own personal experiences of being a young carer looking after my sister who was physicallyand mentally disabled, has given me a huge insight into the complex needs of young people and their families.

"I joined the project in September 2005 and was responsible for setting up and running the weekly young carers clubs, activities programme and the school drop-ins. In April 2008 I became the manager, and now ensure that our service is providing the right level of support for young carers and their families in the Winchester district. I also sit on the Hampshire Young Carers Alliance (HYCA) and am their representative on the Young Carers Advisory Board, which is there to develop the services for young carers at a strategic level."

Fascinating Facts:

• In 1999 I appeared on Sky Sports when my golf team won the Great Britian & Ireland Junior Championships held in LaManga Spain.
• In 2008 I won Youth Clubs Hampshire & Isle of Wight Youth Worker of the Year.

Alison Cross (Schools & Support Co-ordinator)

"I have spent the last 10 years working with young people with caring responsibilities, initially in Fareham and Gosport, joining Winchester Young Carers in 2007 after spending a 'year out' working as a Home School Link Worker in three primary schools in my local area of Gosport. Through caring for my Grandmother for 8 years who had a terminal illness I gained a huge understanding and insight into the impact caring could have on many aspects of life and this has made me extremely empathetic and passionate in my work.

"Over the 10 years I have achieved various qualifications including Connexions PA Diploma for working with Young People and OCR Certificate in counselling skills, alongside my own personal experiences through being a Mum with two teenage daughters.

"As Schools & Support Co-ordinator a huge part of my role is building communication between young people, families, schools and other professional agencies. I feel this is vital in order to increase understanding and ensure a level of support is given to meet individual needs.

Fascinating facts:

• At the age of 17 I joined the Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS) - I left five years later, shortly before the arrival of my first daughter.
• My first (and last) roller coaster ride was on a recent 'big' birthday - Nemephis Inferno at Thorpe Park... NEVER again!

Amy Griffiths (Activities & Support Co-Ordinator)

"I spent four years working with teenagers and adults with learning disabilities, which led me to complete a degree in Social Care, graduating in 2008. I enjoy engaging with lots of different people and have also worked with adults with mental health issues, children with learning disabilities, local young people, and as part of the social services team in Dorset.

"In my personal life I have three cousins with Aspergers Syndrome and as a result I have some degree of empathy with family caring situations, as well as experience of being a carer to others in a service setting. I joined Winchester Young Carers in Feburary 2007 as a volunteer at clubs and a befriender and took on the role of Club & Activity Organiser in June 2008."

Fascinating facts:

• I don't like any hot drinks - no, not even hot chocolate...
• I have performed in the Royal Albert Hall, the Royal Festival Hall and at Disneyland Paris!