Kirsty Arrowsmith – Hall Green & Selly Oak Families Early Help Operations Manager
I have over 20 years of experience of working within health and social care, from the Prison Services, Young Persons Substance Misuse, and adult services. Once I became a Service Manager and Safeguarding Lead, I knew I wanted a new challenge, this took me into children, young people and families.
I worked for the newly launched troubled family’s agenda within Staffordshire. Learning all about the early help system along the way. From there, I took a role with Barnardo’s as a Team Manager for their CSE/CCE Birmingham service. Within my time there the role evolved to taking on managing an Early Help Autism Service.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic I have worked with GreenSquareAccord. GSA is a great place to work. Not only because of the amazing services we provide to our communities – which we wouldn’t be able to achieve without our amazing team.
Summer Baillarger – Senior Early Help Development Worker
I joined the Hall Green Families team after graduating university, where I studied Sociology. I joined as the Communications Officer, making and sharing eye catching marketing material, newsletters, posters and leaflets to help Early Help become more accessible to professional and families.
As an EHDW, I enjoy meeting passionate professionals that work alongside families and introducing these professionals to Early Help through information events and training. I work hard to support the Team Around the Family Network and their families in accessing the most appropriate local support.
Rowena Evans – Hall Green Programme Coordinator
I work on lots of different projects, including the Household Support Fund and Sparkbrook Children’s Zone. Before joining Green Square Accord, I trained and worked as an architect, which led me into working with community groups and charities, helping them develop new projects and secure funding. Most recently I was at Moseley Park and Pool for four and a half years, building up their programme of community engagement.
These days when I’m not working at Hall Green Families, I’m either organising the Birmingham Food Council, managing Moseley Farmers’ market, running Stirchley Jigsaw Club or walking my dog.
Naureen Javed – Early Help Support Advisor
My experience of previously working within the local Children’s Centre allowed me to interact with families directly, and extend my language skills, experience, and knowledge with professionals. This was a real learning curve before entering the world of Early Help support.
My current role as an Early help Family Support Advisor gives me the opportunity to provide vulnerable families with the support they need through arranged drop-in sessions at schools and working alongside medical professionals at the local health centre. Here parents and families have the opportunity to discuss their issues face-to-face. It feels great to interact with local charitable organisations, schools and other professionals to provide families with Early Help support.
Besides being a professional at GSA, I am a social person who enjoys my personal life with family and friends. I use my cooking skills to feed others as I am a real foodie!!!
Simarjeet Kaur – Sparkbrook Children’s Zone Programme Manager
Previously a community connector in Hall Green I am now responsible for strategic partnership, overseeing Community Connectors and leading on Communications. I have previous experience of working in various sectors including BBC Children in Need, Equality & Human Rights Commission and Coventry City of Culture. I hope to bring my skills and experiences to improve the lives of children, young people, and families.
Amy McArdle – Family Support Worker
I started this role in November 2022, and I work Monday to Wednesday. I am also a Family Support Worker in a Primary school and have been there for over 12 years. Within both roles I support families and children and have a real passion for empowering families and making a difference.
Emma McCullough – Early Help Development Worker
I joined Selly Oak Families Early Help in February 2022. The role of Early Help Development Worker is a varied and rewarding role. I feel passionately about helping families in our community to access local support services, build resilience and empower them to help themselves. I thoroughly enjoy working with professionals, introducing them to Early Help and meeting those who can support our families through the amazing work they do.
Nazmeen Rahimi – Sparkbrook Children Zone (SCZ) Family Support Advisor
I joined the SCZ Early Help Team in August 2023 after having over 15 years’ experience as a children and families support worker, where my responsibilities included providing crucial support and intervention services to ensure the well-being of children and families. The role involved navigating complex family dynamics, implementing interventions and collaborating with various stakeholders to create a positive impact. I believe in placing a strong emphasis on empowering families through education, advocacy and linking them with appropriate community resources, this role as a FSA within SCZ Early Help allows me this opportunity.
Mikel Stewart – Family Support Worker
My previous experience consists of working in children’s residential settings. Many of the children required SEND and EBD support. This work was very challenging, but I had a lot of good experiences and knowledge that I have used to take me into my current role.
I also work in the Sparkbrook Children’s Zone, which works as a drop in for families that may require early help support.
This role is a big change of pace for me, going from residential settings to the office and community. I am enjoying supporting families from a different perspective and implementing the knowledge that I have gained over the years.
Caroline Wolhuter – Head of Innovation, Impact and Early Help
I grew up in Johannesburg during Apartheid before moving to England in 1996 to do a PhD in Policy Studies. Since 2003 I have lived in Birmingham working in the voluntary and social housing sector. Over the years I have worked on community development, social inclusion, health inequality and children’s operational and policy programmes.
In April 2020 with the onset of Covid I was asked to mobilise GSA’s Early Help Team. Since then I have worked with some of the most committed, skilled and down-right amazing people supporting families across the rich diversity of our communities. Early help can be challenging, but also very enriching. Helped by fantastic multi-agency partners, I love that our team uses a strengths-based approach to supporting families develop their own solutions.
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