Nina Alleyne-Stewart

Biography

God is at the forefront of everything I do, and the trials and tribulations I endured as a young adult have gained me an inner strength and I believe an even larger measure of divine grace. I have an insatiable appetite for life and my life is to be used as a testament to help others. Lived experience has manifested into a passion and commitment to making a positive impact on our youth. I know first-hand the difficulties faced by service users stuck in the system; but am living proof that anyone can turn their life around with determination, motivation, support and positivity. I am extremely ambitious and want to achieve something significant. I am a lifelong learner who is currently undertaking a PhD in Psychosocial Studies at the University of Essex researching the changing face of youth violence. The focus of my research will be to discuss the homicide pandemic involving young black males in the UK. My research is concerned with the fifth stage of Erik Eriksons Stages of Psychosocial Development concerning identity vs. role confusion, which occurs during adolescence from about 12-18 years. The aim of this strategy is to guide and support the development of research around black juvenile violence, for the purpose of ensuring these young people affected benefit from improved understanding of their lives. My PhD thesis will attempt to move beyond depressing statistics, in order to highlight the real lived experiences of young black boys; focusing on the complex multitude of psychosocial factors that influence their lives. Throughout this discussion I will draw on my own ethnographic research, and my previous experiences with gang culture and criminality in South West London. My story of hope, connection, and inspiration has emerged through volunteerism and giving back to the community. I solely managed the Southend Churches Community Support Befriending Project which has since transferred to St. Vincent de Pauls [SVP] (Southend) In-reach Project which I subsequently led. The main aim of this role is to help my clients sustain their tenancy, but also includes and is not limited to: - * Supporting and building client confidence by developing vital independent living skills (e.g., budgeting, cooking, cleaning, etc). Assisting clients to attend appointments with e.g., their GP, the hospital, Drug and Alcohol Services, and Mental Health Services, and to engage with the Council, the Job Centre Plus, DWP, etc. Encouraging clients to become more socially included by:- - helping them to integrate and become part of the general community; - linking them into meaningful local activities based on their interests (e.g., leisure centres, libraries, college courses, social groups, recreational activities, and community events); and - assisting them to take up voluntary work and/or paid employment. Some of my biggest charitable endeavours include: - · London Marathon for The British Lung Foundation in 2019. · 10,000FT skydive for Southends homeless charity Harp in 2019. · Chelmsford Marathon for Havens Hospice in 2022. · National 3 Peaks Challenge for The Alzheimer' Society in 2023. I also previously chaired the REACH (Race, Ethnicities, And Cultural Heritage) Network for the Vistry Group, which exists to but is not limited to: - 1. Establishing a culture and environment where we can talk about the historical roots and contemporary manifestations of race and inequality. 2. Addressing the extreme BAME staff under-representation and lack of BAME staff in managerial/directorial roles within the company. In Summer 2023 I joined an organisation called ATF (Active, Thrive, Flourish) that works with disadvantaged communities, including childhood at risk of exclusion and youth offenders across South Essex to develop safe environments that increase opportunity, aspiration and achievement, as well as positive relationships, enhanced confidence and wellbeing. The pillars of ATFs success in empowering communities are physical activity and wellbeing, cultural & community enrichment and personal development & achievement. I am employed on an ad-hoc basis in a mentoring capacity. In October 2024 I was also reassigned to another role within SVP Southend from In-reach Lead to Youth Support Worker to provide advice, assistance and support to young people; addressing their practical and emotional needs, whilst increasing their independent living skills. I work with them closely to enable them to overcome any difficulties and help them achieve their optimum potential. The service is particularly effective in supporting people at key transitions, for example being housed and confirming what they are eligible for; but it's also about providing a safe space to discuss the wider issues affecting them, such as family breakdown and the risk of exploitation, as well as providing opportunities to enrich their employability and life skills. Year 1 of PhD Read: * 'Internal Oppressor and Invisible Wounds by Aileen Alleyne. * 'Psychosis of Whiteness' by Professor Kehinde Andrews. * 'Understanding Black Adolescent Male Violence' by Amos Wilson. Achievements: * Entry Level 3 Introduction to British Values certification. * Level 1 Personal Safety certification. * Level 1 Understanding Safeguarding for Work, Education & Life certification. * Level 1 Equality & Diversity certification. * Trauma & Child Criminal Exploitation certification. I have also attended the following: - * Criminal Justice Research Cluster on the legal basis of murder investigations during the inter-war years. * Black Researchers Hub Linguistics conference (retaining indigenous tongue). * Attended the When Black Men Talk external conference. * Frantz Fanon and Racism workshop. * PPS Student Conference/Dreamscapes in an Everchanging World. * Working with Difficult Stories conference. * Refugee Care conference. * Jungian Researchers Phenomenology Group. * Sociology & Criminality 60th Anniversary at the Colchester Campus; where I met and questioned speaker Gary Younge, award-winning journalist and Professor of Sociology at the University of Manchester. * Trauma & Child Criminal Exploitation workshop via Wipers Youth CIC in Camden. S.T.O.R.M Peace Panel and Concert; where I met Chris Preddie OBE whom is on a quest to reform young people, and Faron Paul who suffered two knife attacks and is now an anti-knife crime campaigner, plus Jessica Plummers whose 17-year-old son Shaquan Sammy-Plummer was murdered in 2015. * Youth Crime and Justice Symposium via The Black Criminology Network at Bedfordshire University. * The Psychosis of Whiteness film screening via Black History Studies at The Black Cultural Centre. * Preventing Youth Violence Research & Evidence Conference via the Home Office and VRU Research & Evaluation Network in Birmingham. * Black Studies taster via Organisation of Black Unity online. * Developing Child Trauma Awareness: Trauma, causes, effects and intervention via University of Essex online. * James Baldwin 60th Anniversary Celebration: Akala and Lord Simon Woodley in conversation via Cambridge Union at Homerton College. * Rise Up Lite Programme via London Youth/London's VRU. Core modules include: - Induction to programme & CLORE introduction to Leadership - Race and Youth Violence - Gender Informed Practice - Contextual Safeguarding - Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) - Belonging Lets talk about race with Craig Pinkney - Self-Awareness in Conflict - Challenging Behaviour LEAP - Trauma-informed Practice - Youth Summit with the MP for Rochford and Southend - Bayo Alaba in Southend. I am also scheduled to attend the following: - * PPS Student Research at University of Essex. * Annual Conference of the Association for Psychosocial Studies online > My first presentation! * Nature and its Discontents SIPP-ISSP Conference at the University of Essex.

Qualifications

• MSc Project Management Anglia Ruskin University (2016)

Thesis