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) Inreach Project which I now subsequently lead. The main aim 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.

Qualifications

• MSc Project Management Anglia Ruskin University (2016)

Thesis