Gospel Champion

Sophie leads on creating faith exploration spaces for young people. She mentors in schools and helps run various drop-in clubs and activities throughout the week. Outside UDB she co-hosts the podcast It’s Not Just You with her friend Rach, and loves being around people. In quieter moments, you’ll find her working on a good puzzle.

Play Lists Developer, Deputy Safeguarding Lead & Volunteer Coordinator (Currently on Maternity Leave)

Steph leads Play Lists, a project all about bringing more play into young people’s lives. She’s also our Deputy Safeguarding Lead and Volunteer Coordinator. When she’s not at UDB, she might be crocheting a blanket in front of the TV or writing a new song. Fun fact: she once played in a football match at Wembley! Steph is married to Ash.

Community Activity Developer

Callum leads activities and supports children and young people across several neighbourhoods. He’s also part of the fundraising team and always ready to lend a hand wherever it’s needed. A fan of rugby and surfing, Callum has somehow managed to break both his arms in the past! He’s engaged to Alice.

Urban Mission Volunteer

Hannah is one of our Urban Mission Volunteers. She’ll be getting involved in our social media and other creative things, as well helping Alice run Family Cafe and the Headspace project. Outside of UDB Hannah has a keen interest in new and creative ways of avoiding physical activity. She is also works in a farm cafe and has the world’s most extensive collection of rubbers. Ask her any question about Harry’s Potter and she will know the answer!

Community Champion

Dawn champions youth and children’s work in Wyrley Birch and leads Pype Hayes kids and families drop-in. She’s known for dreaming up brilliantly bonkers new games. Outside of work, she’s usually hanging out with her nephew or kitten, Miley. A fun fact: she once travelled 15,000 feet underwater in a submarine! 

Operations Lead

Gavin oversees the operational side of UDB and also enjoys being involved in Pype Hayes kids and families drop-in. Beyond UDB, he works as a Retail Chaplain in Boldmere and Birmingham City Centre, and is part of the leadership teams for Healing On The Streets and City Pastors. In his free time, he enjoys playing tennis and padel.

Delivery Lead

Ash oversees the planning and development of UDB’s community children and youth work, as well as being a regular face in some of our drop-in spaces and activities. He loves reading, watching quality films, walking in places with lots of trees, and supporting Tottenham Hotspur. He's always up for giving a book recommendation! Ash is married to Steph. 

Project Connector (Headspace)

Alice leads Head Space – a mental health project in primary schools. She’s also involved in kids and families drop-in clubs. Outside UDB, Alice is studying jewellery design and manufacturing. She’s engaged to Callum, and they’re getting married this autumn!

Urban Mission Volunteer

Louie is one of our Urban Mission Volunteers. He will be helping out with activities such as Youth Cafe and Short Heath this year, and welcomes any challenge to his Fifa skills. Louie is passionate for creating spaces where young people feel seen and included, and spaces which they can also look forward to being in during their weeks. Some fun facts about Louie are that outside of UDB he plays the drums, and he reckons that he eats approximately 30 eggs a week.

Youth Connector

Ife works across our youth activities, and loves seeing young people discover and grow in their talents. When she’s not at UDB, she works as a doctor. She also enjoys spoken word and playing music. Ife is a big Arsenal fan—and has even met Thierry Henry!

Community Activity Developer

Liam leads activities and supports children and young people across Short Heath and Perry Common. He also plays a key role in helping UDB embed inclusive practice, particularly in creating environments where neurodivergent children and young people can thrive. Liam is a dad of two and loves good coffee, football, rugby, surfing, and music. He once won a game of Chubby Bunnies with 27 marshmallows! 

Team Enabler

Harriet keeps everything running smoothly behind the scenes - from finances to supplies and general admin. Outside of work, she loves getting stuck into a good novel, heading into nature, and spending quality time with her little nephew. 

Youth and Children’s Connector

James leads some of our activities, as well as spending some time in schools. He enjoys spending time with children and young people, playing games and hearing their stories. James is a big Aston Villa fan, loves to cook and is studying to get a Degree in ‘Childhood and Youth’ on his days off. He once met the President of Burundi after playing against him in a charity football match!

Co-Director

Amy co-directs UDB alongside Emma. She’s a Level 6 JNC-qualified youth worker with a degree in Youth and Community Work with Applied Theology and has been doing youth work in Erdington for over 20 years. She’s passionate about seeing children and young people in the area thrive. Amy lives in Erdington with her husband and 3 children. She loves walks in the park, chats over a cup of tea (and biscuit!) with friends, and going on bike rides with her kids. 

Co-Director

Emma co-directs UDB with Amy and brings expertise as a children’s mental health specialist. She holds a degree in Social Work, a postgraduate qualification in Play Therapy, and is a qualified Protective Behaviours trainer. Emma has called Erdington home for over 20 years. She has 3 teenage daughters, and a dog named Beans. In her spare time, Emma looks for opportunities to play outside - whether that’s walking, running, paddleboarding, or playing tennis.