Staff Bio
Staff Bio
Meet the folks who make it all happen. We see big potential in every moment and care deeply about what we do every day. Our unique development guarantees that we have the very best staff all at every level of operation. Our leadership team reflects a group of individuals with breadth and depth of experience across the company.
Michael Salkeld
Managing Director for YARS – I have a degree in Politics, with a Masters in Social Work. I have 10 years plus experience of working with disabled children and adults, working as a youth worker, manager, social worker and as an advocate for disabled people. I have completed countless courses on disability, managing risk and safeguarding.
Creating YARS has been the highlight of my working career and a culmination of building relationships with parents and young disabled adults that go beyond the structures of ordinary work. The sense of fulfilment that comes with YARS is vast, from bringing in funding, writing policies, planning residentials, risk assessing and ensuring all people enjoy and achieve whilst on our projects.
Thomas Radcliffe
Managing Director of YARS - Graduated in 2007 with a BA Hons in Sports Studies, FND in Sports Coaching, in addition to qualifications in Management, Counselling, Youth and Community, Disability and Equality. Thomas has worked as a Mentor and Youth worker for over 10 years, supporting the cities hardest to reach and most vulnerable young people including disability, drug and alcohol misuse, homelessness, and anti-social behaviour. Thomas has developed many professional relationships with the cities most well-established youth organisations and has also been employed in Secondary Education, Alternative Education, SEN and Outreach work. Thomas is extremely passionate about supporting individuals and local communities to create a positive change.
YARS has been such a rewarding project from the initial set up phase, working closely with disabled young adults, parents/carers and other professionals to develop and shape such a unique and innovative service that is not only inclusive but is continuously evolving due to the relationships formed with its service users. The feedback and testimonials speak for themselves and highlight the dedication, passion and commitment the YARS team have to provide a quality service for everyone involved.
