A Bit About Us

In 2020 Caprice Bound graduated from Birmingham City University with a 1st Class degree in BA Black Studies (Hons). Caprice joined the Blesst team in 2017 and has focused on building the Youth Leadership Advisory Board (YLAB) up until 2020. Within this role YLAB created and delivered workshops for young people and practitioners who work with vulnerable youth. Caprice found herself growing very passionate about being a voice for the youth as young voices and contributions are often overlooked and ignored. This led to Caprice engaging in intensive training / placement with Citizen’s U.K to further develop her community organising and leadership skills. This was an impactful opportunity for Caprice to develop her knowledge of how to achieve tangible change within our communities and how to negotiate with power.

 

The skills, knowledge and experience attained within 2017 – 2020 provided Caprice with a boost in self-belief and self-confidence in her abilities to connect with all people. This progressed into Caprice developing a youth creative empowerment workshop with her colleagues Richard & Rami. A key element of the workshop is the education of self. From self – discovery to self-worth we value and hold high importance on the process of loving thy self, in all areas of our life. Caprices’ aspirations are to inspire and unlock the inner leader in all people, young or old. Caprice was able to change her life and free herself of the mental shackles which kept her in a state of lack. Lack of self – worth, lack of belonging, lack   of confidence E.C.T. However, my journey has proved to me that we are limitless and the change we wish to see in the world starts with us.

MA (Masters) Youth & Community, guest lecture at Newman University. (PTLLS) BTEC Level 3-4 Award in Education, Training & Assessors, NVQ 3 Chartered Institute of Housing Homelessness Frontline, NVQ3 Heath & social care.  

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Richard Campbell worked as a support worker for young people 12 years ago with mental, behavioural and learning difficulties. Richard worked extensively with the youth offending team, residential care homes, homelessness, and supporting lodge. Richard went on in 2011 to pursue his academic career and became a peer researcher at Newman university while studying his Masters in youth & community.

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Richard became involved in the Touch EU project investigating young people and street violence across Europe. Richard went onto capture and record significant pieces of data for the book and film documentary, 'young people and street violence', while enhancing his academic skills around qualitative research, research design, data analysis, coding, Ethnography, informal and formal learning, educational pedagogy and holistic approaches. 

      

Richard went on to develop a passion for democracy and became part of citizens UK Birmingham after completing his citizens 6-day leadership program in community organising and community empowerment, Richard ran a number of campaigns with citizens over the years. He was also part of citizens manifesto in parliament at the same time receiving mentorship by Dr Martin Glynn in how we learn in a modem society.

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Richard and Dr Glynn went on to produce some new ways of learning that had reach and impact with in a number of sectors. Richard is applying his role as an educational creative specialist using different models of learning with hope to pursue his PHD in this field; hence the transformation of BLESST was formed (building learning education safe space transition.) So that active learning, self-development, youth leadership, heathy wellbeing and legacy can be obtained and passed on in our communities and family lives.