Meet our awesome staff team of youth workers and more!

**DAVE HODSON (BIG DAVE)**
**Project Manager**

I started work at TYA as a part time Youth Worker in October 2011 and became Project Manager in September 2014.

My background in catering and hospitality has proven very useful and I have found that cooking and breaking bread with our young people is a great way of breaking down barriers, getting to know them and what makes them tick.

I am mainly office based now but take any and every chance for a game of table tennis and a blether with our youth club members.

Hiya, I'm Ruth. I'm originally from the Lake District and have lived in Scotland for over 20 years now. I started as a TYA youth worker in November 2022, and am now Senior Youth Worker. I’ve previously worked with children who have additional needs, as well being a welfare adviser and a freelance writer.

I am really passionate about supporting our young people with their mental health and wellbeing - as well as having some fun obviously! I love spending my free time hanging out with family, friends and my mad cockapoo, Obi!

**FIONA DEMPSTER**
**Youth Worker, Stepping Stones Project Worker & Peebles High School Youth Worker**

I’m Fiona, I grew up on a farm in Tweedsmuir then moved to Peebles in my late teens.

I’ve been in the catering and hospitality trade all my life and also do some childminding part time.

I love working with the young team and teaching them some cooking skills - and they also teach me a thing or two!

**STUART CLINK**
**Food Punks Business Manager**

I run Tweeddale Youth Action’s events catering business: Food Punks.

I joined Food Punks after the pandemic. We have been involved in loads of different kinds of events including BBQS, birthdays and weddings. I'm really happy to say that we now make pizzas!

Project Pizza started in 2023 and we now have 3 amazing pizza ovens that we use to serve up tasty sourdough pizzas at events.

**BECCA SMITH**
**Youth Worker and Administrator**

Hellooo, I’m Becca! I’m 22 years old and I’ve lived in Innerleithen my whole life. I trained as a hairdresser when I left school and have since joined the team at TYA.

I’ve loved my time here so far, everyone’s been so welcoming! I’ve met so many amazing people and had some really brilliant experiences!

In my free time, I’m an avid fantasy reader and my absolute favourite is The Lord of the Rings! I also really enjoy drawing and painting, usually the worlds I experience in my books.

I hope to bring some of my love for books, art and pop culture to TYA!

**MISCHA GORDON FORREST**
**Youth Worker**

I'm Mischa, I attended TYA as a young person from 2014-2019 and I have recently returned after completing my undergraduate degree in Criminology and Psychology!

I'm taking a year out before hopefully returning to university as a postgraduate, and I'm super excited about the opportunity to give back to TYA and be involved in some of the amazing work they do here.

In my spare time you're likely to find me engrossed in a book, dystopian fantasies and classics are my favourites. Or doing some sketching! Either way, I'm always accompanied by a cup of tea and my pet dog and rabbit, Ranger and Luna!

**GILLIE GILBERT**
**Bike Punks Project Worker**

My name is Gillie, I’m a full-time welder/fabricator.

I enjoy being outdoors, wild camping, hiking, wild swimming & long distance running when I’m not working and outdoors.

I want to get young people into the workshop to spark their creativity through welding!

**ARRAN KING**
**Food Punks team member and Youth Worker.**

My name is Arran King, I am 23 years old. My background is in the leisure industry where I worked as a lifeguard and gym instructor.

My initial interaction with TYA was as a service user.

I have been the TYA cleaner and a Food Punks team member
since the start of 2023.

Recently I've been getting involved in sessional youth work.
I enjoy working with young people and always strive to create inclusive settings.

In my spare time I enjoy rugby and boxing for fitness, as well as a mixed vary of music (usually emo.)