Staff
Sara Mirsalehi
Operational Manager
I arrived in the Uk in 2003 and achieved a First-Class BA Degree in Criminology with Law from Teesside University! I chose to live in Middlesbrough, and I am proud to call it ‘home’. I am a keen advocate of promoting social justice and raising the aspirations of young people in Middlesbrough and beyond. My ambition is to ensure the young people voices in Middlesbrough are heard locally and nationally to ensure their educational, financial and health needs are met. I believe every young person despite their starting point in life has the potential to succeed.
I have more than 15 years’ experience working with a diverse groups including, vulnerable individuals in marginalised communities, refugees and asylum seekers, young people within the prison service, engaging with voluntary and public sector organisations to bring effective change.
I am a trustee at the award-winning charity ‘Halo’ and a Governor at Middlesbrough College.
I have been with LINX since August 2015 and enjoyed every minutes of it, and equally all the challenges that we face as a volunteer organisation. I am proud to be part of a team and an organization that cares a lot about young people and the community that we serve.
Enjoy learning new languages, exploring other culture’s tradition and of course food, as you all know I love eating!!! I love spending time and socializing with my family and friends.
James Lightowler
Sessional Youth Worker
Hi, my names James, I like playing football and video games and try to smash the gym on the side of that, things I don’t like so much, writing a blurb about myself anything to do with course work and paper work, I am more on a practical learner. I enjoy delivering sports sessions the most when doing youth work and encouraging everyone to get involved! Fun fact: I listen to all types of music from metal to classical.
Raheem Hussain
Sessional Youth Worker
I first started with Linx after completing my Community Activator Coach Level 2 Award as the sports apprentice and now progressed into a sessional role. I enjoy doing sports with the young people because it’s fun and easy way to build rapport.
Eilis Sexton
Senior Youth Worker
With a passion for travelling, seeing new places and being involved in different cultures – my bucket list is extensive and full of random experiences which I am slowly getting through (and constantly adding to)! Being a lover of the outdoors, I enjoy going for long walks with my dogs and volunteering at the RSPB in Saltholme as an assistant youth ranger leader – if I’m not outside you’ll find me wrapped up under a blanket scoffing sweets.
John Burns
Senior Youth Worker
I enjoy a range of music but my passion is metal, going to gigs and be inspired to have a go at writing some riffs of my own on the ‘axe’ (Guitar) Its not all heavy screaming inaudible what’s he or she singing ‘mosher’ music. I also enjoy my relaxed atmospheric moody reflective look out the rainy window contemplating instrumental music too. You must have your ying and yang.
Continuing with the music theme, I think I may annoy the office with Radio 6 as it has such a wide range of random but amazing music. Please check it out if you’re not already a radio 6 fan! If you know you know!
I love my weekly game of 5-A-Side especially when you score past goalie Si or if he’s on your team. He’s an absolute wall. Even his family refer to him as goalie Si, he’s that good.
I enjoy travelling when I get the opportunity. Last year I was lucky to travel with work and visit our Town Twinning partnership in Oberhausen Germany. Our young people have had the opportunity to visit the amazing exchange programme called Multi. It was fantastic to build a partnership with like minded people and see our young people thrive in Multi’s jam packed Youth Exchange programme and develop such a wide range of skills. They came back with so much confidence and great memories.
It’s inspired me to learn German with the aim to hold a conversation next time I’m there. Just to be able to say we have won the world Cup or Euro’s in German. Imagine! #believe
Reasha Biswas
Project Lead Worker
When leaving school, I was unsure of the path I was going to take to kick start my career. I attended college in order to gain a qualification to become a paramedic, however I found college wasn’t the best environment for myself as each individual suits different needs.
I applied for a level 2 apprenticeship in youth work and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. After completing my level 2 I was successful enough to further my qualification onto a level 3 and gain knowledge, skills and better my abilities in a field I found a passion working in.
After completing my level 3, I was successful in securing a position with Linx as a Project Lead. Being a youth worker is one of the most rewarding jobs in the world knowing that you are there to help young people and guide them and the community in the right direction. There is a sense of being a role model alongside being someone young people can turn to when in need.
Ricky Tomlinson
Senior Youth Work
My name is Ricky Tomlinson, A senior youth work for Newport and Park ward.
With 15 years of experience within Youth and community work has certainly allowed me to experience some fantastic projects in making a change to people’s lives.
My beginnings started internationally as a volunteer youth worker in Ghana and Malaysia. With my African roots I like to incorporate this within my delivery style. Fun, engaging, colourful think on your feet with a warm African greet wherever I go. I tried bringing the sunshine from Ghana to the Boro but that’s one thing I couldn’t do!
So, things I enjoy apart from Youth and community work is food, (Rice and chicken) football dare I type these words in Boro. But my team is…..Chelsea!
Steady on you say! Back off back off, I do obviously have a soft spot for MFC. #UTB #Believe
I’m also a DIY kind of a guy. Office maintenance worker too. If there’s something needing to be fixed. My name is straight out. I also like to keep our team fed be it random. Ainsley Harriot can take some tips off me. I can knock up a 5-star cuisine with a tin of beans, a carrot, bagel and pasta. Ready steady- you know the rest!
I find cooking to be a great way of engaging with young people and the community, as one of my projects is working with the BME communities to help to integrate into the area and by using food, music and culture to bring people together is a fantastic thing.
Other great projects I have enjoyed leading on are targeted workshops, international exchange programme, talent show events and residentials.
Each type of delivery provides great opportunities for young people to achieve great things and I always enjoy the challenge.
Joanne McCrum
Administration Worker
I’ve been part of the Linx team for 2 years and it’s a great team to work with.
I deal with the administration and hope I play a little part in helping things run as smooth and efficiently as they do.
I love my family, holidays, travelling and Take That.
Kaley Smith
Sessional Youth Worker
My name is Kaley Smith, a passion of mine has always been to work with young people, by making a difference to their life by offering support and guidance. I finally took the plunge to study a degree at Teesside University in 2017 in Criminology with Youth Studies. Through this I landed a position at Linx working as a Sessional Youth Worker. Weekends and my spare time consist of spending time with the family, we enjoy walks along the beach with our gorgeous pet dog Teddy and of course calling in for an ice cream on the way home. As an individual I am sociable and enjoy catching up with friends as much as I can enjoying a good meal out. Lastly, another strong interest of mine is cooking and baking, I spend a lot of time in the kitchen trying out different recipes or working my way through Be-Ro books baking. I am secretly hoping to make it onto channel 4’s Bake Off one day.
Lauren Ramsay
Senior Youth Worker
I started working for Linx in 2017 as a Sessional Youth Worker whilst studying a Degree in Childhood and Youth Studies at Teesside University. Since then, I have progressed to come a Senior Youth Worker and it is a role that I adore. I love working with young people in all aspects of their life. I left Linx to work in a Secondary School in late 2019 but rejoined in 2020 as youth work is my passion. When I’m not at work my favourite thing to do is spend time with my family, having recently becoming a Mum I am thoroughly enjoying watching my little one grow and develop. I am a firm believer in treating people how you would like to be treated. Kind people are my kinda’ people.
Lianne Buttigieg
Sessional Youth Worker
Hey, I am Lianne Buttigieg I am a final- year student, at Teesside, studying Criminology with Youth Studies. I began my journey with Linx, throughout my second year as a volunteer but have since progressed to become a Sessional Youth Worker. I am passionate around supporting youths through all walks of life and empowering them to be the very best version of themselves. Alongside youth work, I also volunteer as an Educational Researcher, seeking the best ways to positively engage children and build their emotional intelligence. In my spare time I enjoy varied activities including a passion for reading especially non-fiction crime and true stories. I also have a huge passion for cooking especially trying new recipes and broadening my cooking skills.
Toni-Leigh Galloway
Sessional Youth Worker
Hi, my name is Toni Galloway. I’m a Criminology and Youth graduate with a passion for supporting youth. Due to my own adverse experiences in life, I strive to support young people and adolescents to achieve their very best and use resilience to overcome any obstacle. Through diversity and cultural celebrations, we, as a society, can learn from each other and grow, calling upon a vast variety of strengths.
One of my most memorable and salient moments through my journey at Teesside University was the ‘Inside Out’ programme which positively broadened my knowledge regarding the criminal justice system and allowed me to develop a deeper sense of diversity within the system.
In my spare time I love to create memories with my friends and family as this ensures I recharge and refresh for the days ahead.
Joanne Harrison
Finance Administrator
The Office Number Cruncher!
I have been part of the Linx Team for 9 years now managing the accounts and payroll. I feel honoured to be part of such a great organisation and enjoy keeping the administration in order to support our delivery staff and service users.
I am a keen Football Fan, supporting Boro of course! And also love a good Parmo!
A true Boro Girl…😊
