Jane brings a passion for ‘fairness’ to her role at Youth Challenge Oxfordshire. Her year as High Sheriff of Oxfordshire opened her eyes to inequalities generated by the accident of birth. Not those of wealth or background but those created by poor parenting where adults don’t appear to care what their young are up to, who don’t give them the love and security that all children from all walks of life need. This lack of security leads to low self esteem and a lack of self confidence and it is Jane’s belief that the Youth Challenge Oxfordshire team can help to build self esteem in young people who have no belief in their own talents and abilities. Helping the young to challenge themselves to come out of their comfort zones can lead to amazing results. Jane’s previous work around schools and in the community brings invaluable contacts and opportunities for Youth Challenge Oxfordshire to use in their support of their young people.

Canon Sue Booys was the Rector of Dorchester Abbey and Team Rector of the Dorchester Team Ministry which includes Berinsfield from which the original NASIO Trust Exit 7 groups visited in Mumias. In common with many of her parishioners Sue and her husband Richard can remember buying one of the original ‘pink bricks’ which helped to build the Noah’s Ark Day Centre which Youth Challenge Oxfordshire groups will visit and volunteer at. Sue trained as a teacher and followed God’s call to ordained ministry in the early 1990’s when her three children were still young. Since being ordained she and Richard have continued to make Oxfordshire their home and enjoy walking and boating when they have a chance! Both also enjoy travelling to other countries, Sue has visited the NASIO centres at Mumias and Musanda three times, most recently with Richard and her daughter Jenny. Sue and Richard also spent three months living and working in South Africa where they enjoy links with another project that cares for children.

Christine Douglas was the founding Project Director for Youth Challenge Oxfordshire since its inception in 2017. Her aim was to create a sustainable, enjoyable and challenging programme and recruit excellent group leaders to prepare the youth groups for life’s future challenges. In 2019 Christine became a trustee and remains active within Youth Challenge Oxfordshire as part of the fund raising team and also as Trustee with responsibility for Safeguarding. Christine has a wealth of experience and understanding of the many challenges facing young people; understanding the ways in which their confidence and skills need to be developed so that they can achieve their full potential. A passion for working with young people has been a central pillar of her career: initially as a geography teacher which led to a senior management position in a leading secondary school, plus 12 years as a school inspector. Helping to build Youth Challenge Oxfordshire, however, has been the most rewarding challenge of Christine’s career. Her biggest personal challenge to date has been sailing to France most years sometimes in thick fog or strong winds, rough seas and driving rain: as with most challenges its worth it when you get there!

Simon’s involvement in Youth Challenge Oxfordshire stems from his passion for helping people to fulfill their potential.
After studying law at St Peter’s College Oxford, Simon initially qualified as a solicitor and practised in the City of London for 7 years. However, after a moment of self-realisation in a garden in the Vale of the White Horse, since 1995 Simon has specialised in learning and development for professionals, holding a number of roles with leading law firms, most recently EMEA Director of People Development for the global law firm White & Case. Since 2017, Simon has worked as an independent consultant and qualified as a business coach at Henley Business School in 2022. Simon is also a governor of Papplewick Preparatory School in Ascot
Simon lives in North London and is married to Sarah with two children at university. Simon’s current challenge is planning the next phase of his life with Sarah now that they are empty nesters.

Jill is a psychotherapist and supervisor who enjoys working with and supporting the mental health of people. She has worked in a variety of settings including the NHS and a theological college. She is keen to support the development of community work and services for young people and is passionate about helping them to reach their full potential. Having worked in and with various youth groups in Oxfordshire she is convinced of the value of increasing the confidence and skills of young people through having fun, learning and being challenged together. Jill is enthusiastic about Youth Challenge Oxfordshire and ensuring its development to continue to demonstrate the significant difference that the YoCo programme makes to the lives of young people. In the spirit of challenge Jill has taken up doing Parkruns to help with the bigger goal of walking the South West Coast Path - all 623 miles of it!