Meet the team at ASTRA

Hi, I’m Hattie. I have worked for ASTRA for 5 years, firstly as a project worker and as the co-ordinator since 2000. I have been involved with youth work for over 12 years now - I have been involved in youth action, detached and street based work, girl’s work, inclusion etc. I enjoy working with young people and believe sometimes that they are seriously misunderstood - I find it easy to relate to them. I have two great teenagers myself who keep me on my toes and up to date about latest music, trends, street language etc. which helps in this work!

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Hi, I’m Koren. I have been with the Project since it started as a pilot Project 5 years ago. I work part-time within the Gloucester area. I also work for the Youth Offending Service and Children’s Resource. I am currently studying for my Diploma in Play, Community and Youth Work. I have worked with young people for over 15 years in a variety of settings – including the Star Centre, several youth clubs and residential children’s homes. Young people are always telling me I’ve lost my marbles (!), but I feel in this type of work you need to have a positive outlook and a good sense of humour so that you can do the best for young people and provide the best service.

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Hi, my name is Rachel Quinn (not to be confused with the other one - Rachel Done/Rachel 2! – I usually wear glasses!!). I’ve been working with young people in various jobs for about 10 years now - in children’s homes, homeless hostels for young people and before joining ASTRA I worked with young people in Matson, Gloucester for 2 years. I joined the ASTRA team in April 2002 and have been pretty busy ever since, but I love very minute of it! I mainly cover the Forest of Dean, Stroud & Dursley areas and some of Gloucester. I remember being a young person (it wasn’t that long ago!!) and sometimes feeling very unhappy, not listened to and not taken seriously. It’s very important to me that as an ASTRA worker, I make sure that the young people I work with DON’T feel like that and DO feel that they can trust me.

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Hi, I’m Rachel Done (or Rachel 2 - the one without the glasses!). I work part time for ASTRA in Tewkesbury, the Cotswolds and occasionally in Gloucester. I first became interested in Youth Work after completing several counselling courses. I began working in a busy youth centre in Tewkesbury, helping to run the some of the club nights and got my part-time Youth Workers qualification. When the opportunity to join ASTRA came up, I grabbed at the chance! Working with young people gives me a lot of satisfaction, especially when I can support someone to make positive changes and choices for their life. It’s exciting and rewarding and no two days are ever the same!