Partners
Safiya is a community activist who works in schools and colleges, empowering, engaging, and enabling individuals from underrepresented communities. She works with women helping them find their voices against discrimination, engaging in activities to help with isolation, mental health, breaking down language barriers, and supporting their children at school.
Saffiya is also the founder of Sisterhood Basketball group, a self-defense group for women, and Big Brother Burgreave, a mentoring scheme “led by the youth, for the youth” that uses a buddy system to match up 17 and 18-year-olds with 11 to 16 year old for peer support and mentoring.
Max Restaino is an artist, award-winning composer, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer with ten years of experience in the music industry. He has performed and worked alongside some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Donny Osmond, Tears For Fears, UB40, Gary Barlow, Steps and Peter Andre.
A talented multi-instrumentalist (sax, piano, guitar, harmonica and accordion), Max has built up his following and created his own unique sound. Max has won awards including the PRS Songwriting Award, alongside being nominated for a TMA Award for playing the role of Billy in Nikolai Foster's production of Assassin’s. His successes also include appearing on the Songwriting TV show Tin Pan Alley on Sky TV, and working as a session player for artists such as Gary Barlow and Donny Osmond - plus working alongside Peter Kay for his Phoenix Nights Live Show and BBC1 hit TV series Car Share.
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Max's amazing experiences have allowed him to develop many strategies and tips on how to build positive communication techniques, manage stress, anxiety and discusses how to use the arts, or exercise as a positive outlet for staying healthy.
Roger Cheetham is co-founder of the not-for-profit social enterprise, “Survive, Strive, Thrive Ltd.”. Following a dramatic life-changing experience in 2013, which left Roger with lifelong disabilities, he took the heroic and selfless decision that he would turn this from a negative which happened to him, into a positive which happened for as many young people as possible, he was able to benefit, by sharing his story, experience and learnings, and making them so relevant to these young people.
Survive, Strive Thrive Ltd. work predominantly with young people aged 11-25, to help them become more resilient, improve their self-confidence, and to raise their aspirations. This can be in everyday situations, or when dealing with life’s adversities such as mental health issues, surviving violent crimes or the effects of long-term illness or disease. Our work ranges from Year 7 PSHE lessons on “Resilience”, to whole college talks on crime prevention, to working with young people aged 16-25 who have become estranged from their families, and would be homeless, if it wasn’t for the charities we collaborate with.
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Jonathan qualified from Sheffield Medical School in 2005. His post graduate training in paediatric surgery was undertaken in Leeds, Newcastle and Sheffield before becoming a consultant at RMCH. During his training he completed a Masters degree in Surgical Sciences and has developed a keen interest in medical education, completing a post graduate certificate in medical education in 2017. Jonathan is a member of the British Association of Paediatric Surgeons and the British Association of Paediatric Endoscopic Surgeons.
Anneleen is a qualified Speech and Language Therapist with a specialist interest in Stammering.
Anneleen works for The Specialist Stammering Team who are are based at Flockton House in Nether Edge, but we also run clinics in Firth Park. They work with children and young people under the age of 16, and there is also an adult service for people over 16.
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Anneleen has shared her experiences with Opalite for aspiring young people into Speech Therapy and to provide support for Educators if they have students within their envirnment that may need Speech & Language support
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Joe is a director of the not for profit social enterprise Opus Independents in Sheffield, UK. He is a writer, project manager and event producer with experience running multi disciplinary events and projects.
Joe takes a lead on the Festival of Debate which is a non partisan politics festival reaching over 30,000 in audiences every year which brings high profile authors and activists together alongside civil society organisations to discuss the biggest political, social and economic issues of the day.
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Mark Jackson works for a large Registered Social Landlord within the UK. He is an Asset Manager which develops, organises and maintains clients portfolios.
Mark discusses his learning journey with Opalite and how he successfully gained his qualifications and experiences through an apprenticeship.
An excellent way to show students that there are many routes into employment that are may not follow a traditional pathway.
Amy Buchanan is a sport enrichment coordinator who creates and manages enrichment opportunities in a large educational environment. Her specialism is increasing participation in both physical and intellectual activities.
Amy has provided Opalite with invaluable and creative ways in which Educational Institutions can imbed enrichment opportunities and enable learners to be active.
A Head Of Special Educational Needs & Disabilities
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Sean Farell as a head of SEND works at a strategic level to improve the quality of Educational support, pastoral care and learning assistance accessed by students in a large Further Education Establishment.
Sean has worked with Opalite to provide insightful knowledge on neuro diverse learning and offers some possible tips and advice on how to successfully embed strategies and solutions.
Pete Burnell is an Educational Technologist working in Education as an innovator within Teaching & Learning. He works alongside Teachers, Tutors and Lecturers to provide invaluable advice, support and guidance.
He has provided Opalite with guidance and support for Educators and Institutions on how technology such as collaborative tools, AI and Gamification can be used within a learning environment.
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Amir is an Accountant and Sole Practitioner from Altman Smith in Sheffield.
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Amir has worked with Opalite to provide insightful knowledge on how students can budget, save and manage debt.
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He has also provided knowledge for students on the role of an accountant, the qualifications and experiences needed and also and how to run a successful business.
A Head of Student Experience & Pastoral Care
Brad Morton is a Pastoral Head in a Large Educational Institutional setting. He strategically plans the Personal Development, Behaviors & Attitudes Systems for his Teams to operationally deliver in Pastoral Group Tutorials, One-to-ones and Teaching & Learning programs
He has been working with Opalite to provide advice for Educational Institutions on Personal Development & Behaviors & Attitudes, Pastoral Care and One-to-ones.
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Elaine Evans currently works at a Large Educational Institution. She was formally a Head Of Safeguarding operating at a strategic level to ensure the safety of over thirteen thousand students. She informed on local risk, Safeguarding trends and develop operational plans for all delivery teams in regards to Safeguarding.
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Elaine has worked with Opalite to provide insightful knowledge on Safeguarding, Prevent & Radicalization, and Healthy Relationships
A Specialist In Teaching, Learning & Assessment
Fiona Jackson is a professional Teacher with a Master in Education, Leadership & Management. She has worked for many years within the profession gaining a wide depth of experience.
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Fiona has joined Opalite to discuss Teaching Pedagogy, Learner Progress, the Student Experience & Student Progress.
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Dr Robert Morton is a consultant in respiratory Medicine at a Large Children's Hospital working with children up to 16 years old. He specialises in Respiratory Illnesses and Cystic Fibrosie
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He has worked with Opalite top discuss Respiratory Health within young people and ways to promote a healthy lifestyle.
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He has also provided insights into how to gain experiences and qualifications for a role within the medical profession.
A Radiographer & Mammographer
Loredana is a professional mammographer and Radiographer working within the NHS. She works within a Breast Clinic In Chesterfield.
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She has worked with Opalite to discuss the importance of Health Screening, Healthy Living, and how to work within a medical profession. She highlights to students the different pathways, and experiences that you can take to get into the industry in which she works.
