Who We Are
North Berwick Youth Project has been running since 2001 and was one of the first Youth Cafés in Britain. The Project has grown through the years and evolved from being a Youth Café to an organisation who offer young people support in varying areas, a base to come and spend time with friends and employability support. It is also a place where young people can come if they need support with issues that are affecting their lives.
Our Team
Lauren Cowie – Youth Project Manager
Lauren has been involved with the Youth Project since 2007 when she began as a volunteer. She remembers attending ‘TJ’s’ which was the very early Youth Café when she was a child. Soon after starting her volunteering, Lauren became a sessional staff member and studied Working with Communities.
She has progressed through the Project to Project Manager, a role which involves overseeing all projects and ensuring that young people in the community are given the opportunity to grow, learn and challenge themselves. Still very hands on in this role, Lauren has full involvement in working with the young people and is a familiar face with young people around North Berwick. She is known always to go above and beyond to support young people.
Beth Smith – Specialist and Lead Youth Worker
Beth has been working at the Youth Project since 2018. She started as a volunteer and then as a sessional staff member. Beth became a full time member of staff in 2021, she manages the ZAP group and is involved in all other projects.
Beth earned a 2nd class Honours Degree in Community Learning & Development and her experiences from placements and working in different communities means that she is fresh and dynamic in her youth work approach. Beth builds fantastic relationships with the young people she works with and this is evidenced through their adoration for her.
Natalie Adams – Out'n'About Project Leader
Natalie has been working at the Youth Project since May 2022. She started as a sessional member of staff doing Outreach and Friday drop-ins then became a part-time Out'n'About Project Leader in November 2022. Natalie has a working background in support work and studied Criminology and Social Science at University. She is incredibly passionate about the outdoors and the positive impact this has on mental health and wellbeing. She is also passionate about the importance of early intervention for young people.
Natalie is currently working towards her PDA in Youth Work.
Sarah Stewart – Gullane Youth Club Manager
Sarah has been working at the Youth Project since May 2022. She began working as a sessional member of staff and then took on the role as Gullane Youth Club Manager. Sarah is well known for incredible upbeat and hands on approach and always has a fun activity up here sleeve!
Sarah has a passion for raising awareness on mental health issues and has completed First Aid for Mental Health and Mental Health Champions Foundation training.
Sessional Youth Workers
Our sessional staff members work on our various projects and provision and all have an excellent commitment to the young people of the North Berwick Coastal Community. Our sessional staff have skills, training and experiences which allow them to deliver quality youth work opportunities.
Matt O'Connor
Christie McDove
Bronwyn Macaskill
Mikey McKinnon
Kayleigh Thompson
Volunteers
At the Youth Project, we thrive with the hard work and dedication of our wonderful volunteers. Some of the young people we have worked with go on to be volunteers and several of our staff members started as volunteers.
Emma Brown
Charlie Gardner
Do you have time to volunteer with us? Either at our North Berwick or Gullane groups? We have many opportunities for mentoring, donating and helping with events. Get in touch to find out more.