Who we are

ESCVYS is an independent, not-for-profit organisation run by a volunteer committee and a parttime officer, Jenny Wingate.

We are a friendly and approachable team with many years experience in the voluntary, community and youth sector and we believe passionately in promoting our members in East Sussex.

Meet our team:

Jenny Wingate, ESCVYS Officer

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Jaan Madan, Youth Participation Manager, ESCVYS

Jaan is working with ESCVYS to engage young people in projects to help them share the positive contribution young people bring to communities. With a degree in Professional Learning and Development, his background is in developing community projects in Children’s Services and supporting young people and families. He has also worked in Youth Support and Under 19s Substance Misuse Teams and more recently has worked with Primary Care, Mental Health Trusts and Adult Social Care and has managed the Race Equality Mental Health Team for East Sussex County Council.

Jaan says: “I enjoy engaging and working with young people from across the county. It’s always really interesting and refreshing to hear their ideas on how we can work together.”

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Arwyn Thomas, Chairman, ESCVYS

Arwyn brings more than 30 years experience in the charity sector to his role as Chairman of ESCVYS, including ten years as an Executive Director for The Prince’s Trust. He is currently Director of his own consultancy, ATA Management, where he provides expert support for public and voluntary organisations, particularly those expanding or developing. Previously, Arwyn chaired the East Sussex management committee for Sussex Connexion, as well as being the Chairman of an award-winning national charity for young people. He currently serves as a board member of a social enterprise. He recently worked in overseas development for UNESCO, exploring employment and personal development opportunities for young people.

Arwyn says: "My vision is to establish ESCVYS as an organisation with a strong reputation for innovation and quality."

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Kate Robson, Vice-Chair, ESCVYS

Kate is Vice-Chair of ESCVYS and currently works as a Team Manager for Vinvolved East Sussex on a volunteering project for young people aged 16 to 25. Kate started her career working in some of the run down estates in Glasgow as a Youth and Community worker, then moved to Central Regional Council working as an area manager for the Community Education Service, setting up youth clubs and community centres. Kate moved to Sussex in 2001 and worked for NCH in Hastings, running a mentoring project for teenagers, before moving to Creating Futures where she ran the Millennium Volunteers Project in Eastbourne.

Kate says: "My hopes for ESCVYS have always been to involve more young people in the promotion of our work and to have the value of youth work recognised and supported."

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Petrina Mayson, Treasurer, ESCVYS

Petrina acts as Treasurer for ESCYVS and brings her executive and director level experience of working in commercial funding and project management in the Further Education Sector. She now runs her own successful business as a bid writer and project management consultant, supporting both the voluntary and further education sectors. Petrina has designed, secured and run large scale projects supporting young people across the South East, giving young people exciting new opportunities and helping them overcome their barriers to either education or employment.

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Anit Chatrath, ESCVYS Committee

As Communications Manager at Sussex Downs College, Anit advises ESCVYS on its communications, including dealing with the media, publications, profile and marketing. Anit started his career as a reporter on the Sussex Express and has since worked as a Communications Manager for the Home Office (Sussex Probation) and as a Media Manager for South East Water. He has more than 12 years experience managing PR teams and working in the voluntary sector, specifically with young people.

Anit says: "I hope to position ESCVYS as a leader on young people services with all stakeholders and the wider community."

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Gillian (Gill) Marshall, ESCVYS Committee

Gill represents Girlguiding East Sussex on the ESCVYS Committee and works as a volunteer principally with Brownies and the Senior Section (14 to 25). She is also an accredited trainer and manages the adults in the Downs District of Eastbourne, as well as being a County Arts Adviser. Gill's previous experience includes 30 years as a teacher at Park College, teaching Geography, Economics & Business Studies and Health & Social Care.

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Marina Robb, ESCVYS Committee

Marina is founder and director of Circle of Life Rediscovery, a community interest company set up in 2004 which runs eco-sessions, woodland days, camps and training for young people and adults. Marina specialises in outdoor learning and environmental education and is also the Director of Life Skills Education – delivering self-esteem, anti-bullying and assertiveness programmes in schools. Through her company she has worked with Looked After Children, the Youth Service, the Family & Traveller Service, Care for the Carers, Pupil Referral Units and youth clubs. Marina is a qualified teacher (PGCE), who has studied Environmental Education (MA), Environmental Management (Bsc) and Social Research (Msc).

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