Alasdair has been the Chief Executive of Kirklees Active Leisure (KAL), the local, not-for-profit, charitable leisure trust, since 2008. An early member of the KYA group, Alasdair is the current Chair of KYA and has enjoyed being part of the group’s evolution over the past few years. Alasdair is passionate about trying to give local young people the best possible chance in life.
Our Journey
KYA was formed in response to the dismantling of Kirklees Council’s Youth Service in 2017, brought about by cuts in Council funding under the Government’s “austerity” policy.
Concerned individuals (including some of our current Trustees) came together to develop proposals to support VCSE sector youth provision across the district. This led to the formation of a steering group in Autumn 2017.
In early 2018, the steering group was successful in securing funding for a Development Manager.
Our Incorporation
In 2018, engagement took place with existing VCS youth organisations. An informal network of the organisations was formed and a newsletter began to connect members to funding, training and partnership opportunities.
In 2019, KYA network members delivered their first Healthy Holidays Programme, co-ordinated by the KYA core team and funded by Kirklees Council.
After 3 years based with “host” organisation, TSL Kirklees, KYA registered as an independent CIO with the Charity Commission in October 2020.
Our Vision is for...
A vibrant community youth sector across Kirklees.
Our Mission is to...
Support the delivery of high quality out-of-school youth work and positive activities, in the heart of communities, that encourages the development of all young people’s life skills and enables them to play an active role in society
Our Aims
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1. To work with partners to develop strong collaborative community youth offers across Kirklees.
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2. To be the voice and influence of the sector in local, regional and national strategic partnerships.
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3. To identify and pursue funding and opportunities to develop youth-led programmes delivered by member VCSE organisations.
Our Trustees
The CIO is overseen by a dedicated group of voluntary Trustees, who are
committed to trying to improve local provision for young people across Kirklees.
The Trustees bring a wealth of experience, from a range of backgrounds.
Alasdair Brown
Chair
Adam has worked at Huddersfield University, studied for a PGCE, set up an outdoor learning company & converted it to a CIC, to “improve the mental and physical wellbeing of children, young people and adults of all ages”… ... and has 11 children. Adam has experience of working with troubled and disadvantaged young people, including SEN/Inclusion units, Pupil Referral Units, WYP YIT and those on ‘at risk’ register. He is committed to serving our community and young people in particular.
Adam Waterman
Trustee
Kim is a fully qualified professional youth worker who also holds a PGCE. Kim has over 15 years of experience working with young people and is passionate about supporting the marginalised and those classified as “hard to reach”. Over the past decade, Kim has worked for various public and voluntary sector organisations across the Leeds City Region in different capacities, including working at senior management level to oversee youth contracts such as the NCS, Future Jobs and (YIP) Youth Inclusion Project.
Kim Bedeau-White
Trustee
With a degree in Business and Finance and a passion for the Third Sector, Louanne is a director of social enterprise, SEE Ahead, which provides specialist business support to other VCSE organisations.
Louanne Roberts
Trustee
Umar is a founding member of KYA who is a dedicated advocate for youth development, with over 20 years of experience. His passion lies in improving the life chances of all young people, irrespective of their backgrounds. He excels in partnership working, bridging schools and communities. With a strong work ethic, he delivers social good and identifies funding opportunities. Beyond his full-time role, Umar is a Director of Yorkshire Cricket Board and serves as a school governor.
Umar Rafiq
Trustee
Ian has been on the management committee of the Central Youth Club for over 25 years. CYC provides open access and SEND youth sessions. Concerned with the cut backs in KMC Youth Service, Ian was involved in 2017 meetings that led to KYA being formed. Ian is chairman of John L Brierley and SCM Turbo, Huddersfield businesses supplying the textile and automotive sectors and also chair of trustees at One Community Foundation.
Ian Brierley
Trustee
Jean, now retired, has lived in Kirklees since 1990. She taught on the youth work degree at Huddersfield University for 20 years (sadly now closed) where she specialised in researching how youth workers use their ‘self’ in their work, especially those of lesbian, gay, bisexual and queer identities. Jean is still committed to supporting the education and training of people in the youth work sector.
Jean Hatton
Trustee
Martin is the Chief Executive at C+K Careers – a position he feels proud and honoured to have. Martin has worked in West Yorkshire for 30 years having trained as a teacher here 32 years ago. He is passionate about equity, diversity and inclusion and believes all young people have the right to get the support that will help them achieve their aspirations.
Martin Green
Trustee
Daniel is a CIMA qualified accountant and the Financial Controller for Cafedirect PLC, a local coffee roaster. He is one of KYA’s more recent Trustee appointments and this is his first role within a CIO. Although he doesn’t have a background in youth work, he jumped at the opportunity to be able to help the local community in any way possible.
Danny Ward
Trustee
Hamza was introduced to KYA through their Young Ambassadors' Programme in 2023 and became a Trustee in the summer of 2024, driven by a desire to make positive change for young people. Although young himself, Hamza has a variety of experience in management, technology and teamwork, which he continues to develop. He is currently studying A-Levels at Greenhead College. Outside of KYA, Hamza enjoys exploring tech, BAME history, politics, and photography.
Hamza Sohaib
Trustee
Our Staff
After 23 years in Housing, focusing on teenagers’ tenancies, Susan became the Development Manager of KYA in 2018. Demonstrating respect for professional youth work practice, she achieved a Level 3 Diploma in Youth Work Practice in early 2024. Susan volunteers at local youth provision and is also on the management committee of Central Youth Club. Her big passions are parkrun, cooking and soul, funk & jazz!
Susan Greenwood
CEO
Kirsty established and delivered the Prince’s Trust Team Programme in Huddersfield and positively made an impact to many young people’s lives. This journey now continues with Kirklees Youth Alliance where she remains passionate about providing good quality experiences and opportunities for all young people in Kirklees. Outside of work, Kirsty enjoys going on adventures with her two little boys!
Kirsty Pollock
Member Engagement and Impact Manager
Tyler is a qualified Youth Worker with 10 years of experience working with young people across West Yorkshire, working in youth settings and in Behaviour and Inclusion in mainstream and specialist schools. Away from KYA, Tyler manages her family’s coffeeshop, works part-time as a carer and sits on the Directors Board of Freedom Personal Safety. In her downtime, Tyler enjoys spending time with her nieces and nephews.
Tyler Augustine
Youth Worker
Ashley Peprah
Social Media Officer
