Meet Our Team
Our Staff
Emily Burns
Chief Executive
Having being involved with DAY as part of the board of trustee for the charity since 2018 I resigned in the voluntary capacity to allow me to apply and be successfully appointed into the role of Chief Executive in 2022.
I was born and raised, and until recently lived in the community of West Rainton. I have a great drive and passion for the work that we do across all of our communities and the difference we make in the lives of young people, their families and communities.
Sharon Howe-Jones
Administrator
Hi, I'm Sharon. I have worked in administration for over 30 years in one role or another.
Prior to joining the team, I was a part time Administration Manager for an IT consultancy as well as a part time Administrator for a local riding school.
I have volunteered my time as a riding instructor for individuals with special needs at the riding school. This was really rewarding and a joy to see riders gaining in confidence and ability.
My hobbies include, horse riding, golf, photography and crafting.
My main focus is to continue helping DAY provide an exciting and rewarding experience for the young people using the service.
Amy Hollins
Senior Youth Worker
Hi, I'm Amy! I have just completed my BA Community and Youth Work degree at the University of Sunderland. I was first introduced to Durham Area Youth in October 2022 when I volunteered at some of their weekly sessions for my first-year placement and in June 2023 I began working with DAY.
I have been involved in youth work since I was 11 years old. I have lots of experience working with young people that have disabilities/ additional needs, it is a deep-rooted passion of mine to help them overcome barriers, give them new opportunities, and support them to reach their full potential.
My favourite part of youth work is working across the different communities, no two sessions are ever the same and you get to build some great relationships with the young people, while watching them grow and learn.
Being a youth worker has always been a dream job of mine, I believe it is such a rewarding career where you can see you've made a real difference to people's lives
Eve Batt
Senior Youth Worker
Before this, I was working as the Community Champion for Asda Washington, which included volunteering in local schools, charities and community groups.
I regularly volunteer as an assistant Cub & Scout Leader, and as Vice Chair for my local Parish Council.
I love helping in the community by organising events and working with young people, after all, they are the future!
Cat Dobbie
Youth Worker
Hi, I’m Cat. I started as a Volunteer at Durham Area Youth in September 2022 and began my role as youth worker in January 2024.
My career as a youth worker began when I finished my degree in Childhood Studies at University in Leeds. I have worked within the prisons and visiting centres delivering youth work and community activities, residentials and trips. I have also worked with adults and young people with additional needs as a support worker accessing activities in the local community and tutoring them photography.
My role at Durham Area Youth is to work in partnership with schools, leading on youth work support within schools, providing access to drop-in sessions for young people as well as delivering an Ignite Project around emotional resilience, wellbeing and extra support.
I’m passionate about building resilience and confidence in young people to help them reach their full potential in life.
Victoria Savage
Support Youth Worker
I have been working for Durham Area Youth since October 2022. Prior to working for Durham Area Youth, I attended their youth group sessions at Sherburn Hill Community Hub as a young person.
I also volunteered during the Summer of 2022 which involved helping during their daytime sessions and helping on away trips during the summer break. I am currently also studying my level 3 Diploma in Early Years and Education, at New College, Durham. I find that the experience volunteering and working for Durham Area Youth also helps me with this course
I enjoy working across all villages the Durham Area Youth have youth groups in. Working in this environment has helped me learn and understand more about how the young people in our youth groups gain new friendships and connect with staff.
Harriet Day
Support Youth Worker
Hi, I’m Harriet! I first started working with Durham Area Youth in June 2023 after spending years of attending their youth group sessions in Sherburn Village.
After gaining much confidence due to the amazing youth workers I found I wanted to help others the way they helped me and started volunteering in 2022. During my time as a volunteer, I helped during the youth sessions and summer trips, as well as creating events to help raise money for Durham Area Youth.
I want to create an understanding and safe environment for young people to be able to express themselves in different ways. As an artist with a diploma in Level 3 Art and Design, I love to see the children embracing and communicating who they are in imaginative and talented ways. My passion is to inspire young people to show the world their creative side.
Mia Wilkinson
Support Youth Worker
Hi, I’m Mia! I started volunteering for Durham Area Youth in March 2023 and I am now a dedicated Support Youth worker.
I have a genuine passion for empowering and supporting young people and to help create a safe space for them to thrive in.
Alongside my job, I am currently studying for a degree in Childhood Studies, which deepens my understanding and strengthens the support I provide in my role.
In 2020, I visited a school in South Africa to work voluntarily with the children and young people. This experience was extremely rewarding and allowed me to experience and overcome huge cultural and communication differences.
I am proud to work and be a part of the team at Durham Area Youth and I look forward to my next steps.
Sophie Chicken
Apprentice Support Youth Worker
Hi, I'm Sophie. I started volunteering for Durham Area Youth in January 2025.
Previously, I had attended as a young person since I was 11 years old. I'm now 16 and doing a level 3 Youth Support Work Apprenticeship with Durham Area Youth. One of the many reasons I wanted to become a youth worker is that I had a difficult school life and I wanted to show the young people that if you want something in life you can get it. You might just have to take a longer route to get there.
Outside of youth work, my main passion is football. I have played football for 14 years. I also love to go and watch Sunderland play on Saturday’s; I have been a season ticket holder for nearly 10 years now.
Being a youth worker has always been a dream of mine, as I want to be able to make a difference in a young person’s life.
Durham Area Youth
Registered Charity No. 1174888