"Reef Knot RODDERS"

Rodney is a qualified youth worker with over 30 years experience in the field. He is also a qualified Archery Instructor, qualified Level 1 Instructor for Kayaks and Open boats, trained First Aid Responder, Bush Craft Leader, qualified Level 1 Soccer Coach, Level 1 Sports Leader, previous Duke of Edinburgh assessor and experienced Mountain Leader. Rodney has also recently achieved an OCN Level 3 Award in Youth Leadership, Level 2 Food Safety and First Aid in the Workplace qualifications. The core leader of our YO! team.

"Brian BB"

Brian is a qualified youth worker with over 15 years experience. He is also a qualified Archery Instructor Drugs & Alcohol facilitator, and First Aid Responder. Brian is a previous NI body builder, keen darts player and a member of various bodies involved in peace & reconciliation work. On reaching his recent "mid life crisis" Brian retrained within the restaurant/catering industry and was a key member of the Independence Team. He is however now back within his "comfort zone" as "the power" behind the YO! Team,

"DAVE THE BRAVE"

Dave is a qualified Youth Worker and a member of the Foyle Search and Rescue Team. He is a qualified Archery Instructor, Level 1 Sports Leader, Level 1 Kayak and Open Boat Instructor, Level 1 Soccer Coach,BS Cycle Instructor, holds the Bronze Medallion Lifesaving, Water Safety & Rescue and Level 1 Dinghy Sailing Awards. He is also a qualified First Aid Trainer and Drugs & Alcohol facilitator. Dave is also a member of the City of Derry Rugby Team and has achieved his 200 hour Millennium Volunteer Award for work within the Youth Education & Outdoor Adventure sector. Dave recently successfully completed training with with the NIFS and is now a fully fledged firefighter- WELL DONE DAVE! Dave continues his volunteer work with Foyle Search & Rescue and is one of their dedicated Education Officers. We are however still fortunate to be able to call upon skills and experience in between his busy schedule.

"YODA"

Adam is currently undertaking a Degree in Outdoor Education at John Moore University ,and despite his youth, he has a wealth of experience in outdoor pursuits & adventure. He is a qualified Archery Instructor, Level 2 Instructor for Kayaks & Open boats, Level 1 Soccer Coach, Level 1 Mountain Leader, qualified in Level 1 & 2 Dingy Sailing, Level 1 & 2 Power Boating, Level 1 Sports Leader, Indoor Climbing Instructor, BS Cycling Instructor and qualified First Aid Trainer. Adam is also Child Protection trained and also holds Bronze Life Saving & Water Safety & Rescue Certification and has attained his 200 hour Millennium Volunteer Award for work within the Youth Education & Outdoor Adventure sector. Adam is hoping to graduate this year and has established his own Outdoor Pursuits Company within the last 12 months. Well done Adam!

"FRODO"

Ciaran has been working within the youth and outdoor pursuits field for nearly six years. He is a qualified Archery Instructor, Level 1 Kayak and Open Boat Instructor, Bush Craft Leader and holds the Bronze Medallion and Silver Star Lifesaving Awards plus Water Safety & Rescue Award. Ciaran has achieved his 200 hour certificate through the Millennium Volunteer Scheme for work within the Youth Education & Outdoor Adventure sector. Ciaran has achieved his OCN Level 2 in Youth Work, OCN level 3 in Youth leadership Skills and OCN Level 3 in Group Facilitation. After a brief sojourn within the Outdoor Activities sector in Spain he is back with us and about to undertake his Level 2 Instructor training for Kayaks & Open Boats. WELCOME BACK FRODO!

"STIG"

Darren is a qualified youth worker and has been working within the Youth and Outdoor Adventure arena for over 10 years. He has attained 2 star kayak & 3 star open boat qualifications and Bronze Lifesaving and Water Safety & Rescue Certification. He is also about to begin his Level 1 Kayak & Open Boat Instructors qualification. Darren is currently undertaking an Extended Diploma in Construction at NW Regional College and has just been awarded his 200 hour Millennium Volunteer Certificate for work with the Youth Education and Outdoor Adventure sector. Darren also plays for City of Derry Rugby Club. Darren is about to become "a daddy" for the first time and this combined with new work commitments may mean we won't see as much of him as usual this year unfortunately .... but we hope to see him back with all the YO-YO's soon.

"REV"

Michael has successfully completed his NCON Level 1 in youth work, is a qualified First Aid Responder and has recently been awarded his 200 hour certificate through the Millennium Volunteer Program for Youth & Community Service. Michael is also a dedicated volunteer with the Red Cross and Mencap - he is now at St. John's College, Nottingham studying theology where he continues to expand his skills and volunteering experience with the Street Pastors Initiative and Ruach Trust.

"TT"

Megan has successfully completed her NOCN Level 1 in Youth Work, NCON Level 1 in Community Leadership and Level 1 Sports Leader qualifications; she has also recently achieved her 200 hour Millennium Volunteer Award for work within the Youth & Outdoor Adventure sector. Megan successfully achieved her A levels in Moving Image and Business Studies last year and is now attending Cardiff University studying Business and Events Management, and has indeed secure P/T employment in the hospitality sector.

JOEY ESSEX & DILBERT

The TERROR TWINS! Old hands now but still double trouble. Louis is currently in his final year of school, and is a keen outdoor enthusiast and sportsman,surf kayaker and plays rugby for City of Derry Under 16's. Louis has completed his Level I Kayak Instructor & Water Safety & Rescue training, Bronze Medallion and Silver Star Life Saving Awards and his 200 hour Millennium Volunteer Award. Louis has been a very busy boy this year especially successfully achieving his Level 3 Youth Leadership , First Aid at Work, Level 2 Food Safety, Fire Safety in the Workplace and Child Protection Certificates! Dillon is currently doing his A levels in Business Studies and Tourism & Leisure. He has achieved his 200 hr Millennium Volunteer Award for Youth & Community Work, he has also achieved his Level 2 Food Safety, First Aid at Work, Fire Safety at Work , Child Protection, OCN 3 Youth Leadership qualifications plus his Bronze Medallion and Silver Star Lifesaving Awards. Dylan is hoping to study International Business Management at John Moore's, Liverpool next year and is now Rodders 2nd in command at YO! (or so he tells us!)

The Milky Bar Kid

Another new recruit who has recently joined the team (and who will learn never to let them get a pic of you!). Joel is currently sitting his A levels and is a fitness fanatic and assistant leader at his Church Youth Group. Joel has recently achieved his 200 hr Millennium Volunteer Award and his Bronze Life Saving Medallion and hopes to spend this summer working with overseas charities.

BEANO

Kenan was a key member of our Volunteer Team at Independence and has now "transferred" to YO! Kenan is currently studying for a Diploma in Play Work at NWRC and hopes to work in the Children & Young People sector in the future. He has successfully completed his 200 hr Millennium Volunteer Award and achieved qualifications in OCN Level 1 Citizenship, OCN Level 3 Youth Leadership, First Aid & Fire Safety at Work, Level 2 Food Safety and Child Protection Training. Welcome on board Beano!

JIMBO

James has progressed through many of our programs and projects and has been a peer leader and volunteer with us over the last 18 months. James is a keen footballer and cricketer and his goal is to work in the field of Youth Work and he has just successfully achieved his OCN Level 3 Youth Leadership qualification. James has also gained qualifications in OCN Citizenship, Grass Root Soccer, Level 1 Sports Leader, Star 1 Paddle Sport, Level 2 Food Safety, Emergency First Aid, Fire Safety at Work. James has also successfully completed his 200 hr Millennium Volunteer Award.

TERRI

Terri was a core member of our youth advisory team ,and the leadership skills she demonstrated through such, made her move forward into a Peer Leader & Volunteer a bonus for us! Terri is a keen soccer player and has been scouted for the NI Girls Team. She has successfully completed OCN Citizenship, Level 2 Food Safety, Emergency First Aid, Star 1 Paddle Sport , Grass Roots Soccer and Child Protection Training. She has also achieved her 200 hr Millennium Volunteer Award. Terri is currently studying Law at QUB but we hope to have along as part of our team during the summer break as usual!

KYLE

Kyle, like Terri and Jimbo has progressed through many of our programs and projects and was another key member of our youth advisory team. Kyle has successfully achieved OCN Citizenship, Level 2 Food Safety, Level 1 Paddle Sport, Grass Roots Soccer, Level 1 Sports Leader, Emergency First Aid, Child Protection Training and OCN Level 3 Youth Leadership Skills qualifications. He has also successfully completed his 200 hr Millennium Volunteer Award. Kyle is currently attending NWRC and has just been accepted as a Youth Peer Leader for Camp America this summer. Well done Kyle!

SISTERS!

Our newest recruits and both of whom have recently "transferred" form Team Independence to YO! Gillian and Emma may be sisters but they are two very different "characters"! Emma (on the right) is currently sitting her GSCE's and has recently completed OCN Level 3 Youth Leadership, Child Protection Training, Level 2 Food Safety, Fist Aid & Fire Safety at Work and her 200 hr Millennium Volunteer Award. She is interested in amateur dramatics .... and tells us she is a blonde who has "moments"! Gillian (who is a bit more reserved than her sister- at least by YO standards) is currently studying for her A'levels and hopes to go to Uni next year. Gillian has also achieved her OCN Level 3 Youth Leadership, Child Protection, Level 2 Food Safety, First Aid & Fire Safety at Work and 200 hr Millennium Volunteer Award. Both girls have brought a new life and dimension to the YO! Volunteer Team and we look forward to having them with us on a more permanent basis this summer. Welcome to the team girls!