Our team

The CYO team is a community of people working together to support schools in the spiritual and pastoral care of their pupils. A few of us are employed by CYO, others partner with us and many volunteer their time regularly or occasionally.

Sam Fowler

Director

Sam served with a Christian schools work charity in Havering while studying for a theology degree and subsequently worked in a number of job roles at Scripture Union, including as Mission Enabler for Essex and Hertfordshire. Sam joins us from New Wine where he has been working as a Regional Development Manager.

Emma Jarratt

School Chaplain

Recently I moved back to Essex with my family from Spain where we were Church Pastors. I see students who are struggling with lots of things, but having the space and someone available to listen makes a positive difference to them. It says we see you, you matter. Ultimately at CYO, we believe God is also in that space.

Governance

As a charity, CYO is overseen by a board of trustees drawn from different churches in the Colchester area, each of whom brings valuable skills and experience.

Gareth Mitchell

Chair of Trustees

Nick Wright

Trustee

Lesley Walder

Safeguarding

Adrian Jones

Trustee

Jo Wood

Primary Schools Project Leader

Jo has worked with children and young people in many settings, has been a parent governor with responsibility for ‘church effectiveness’ at a local primary school and also ran her own freelance administration and project co-ordination business.

Pauline Dickson

Ministry Support Worker

Before taking a break from work to be a stay-at-home Mum I worked in Christian youth ministry in various contexts, mainly in Scotland. I’m praying that I will be able to use much of this experience to efficiently support the CYO Team in their ministry. Alongside this I am actively involved in supporting my husband in his ministry to the military, which is the reason we moved to Colchester last year.

Jo Jeffrey

School Chaplaincy Enabler

I’m currently training as a Pioneer Vicar and have a background in education; having taught in both primary and secondary schools. I have also worked with local churches as a Children and Families’ worker. I’m excited to equip and empower churches to be a consistent presence in their local school.

Wider Team

Alongside the staff is our brilliant wider team from local churches that have a passion to see children and young people grow in hope, life, and faith.