Our Team - Innov8 Workshops, Bury St Edmunds

Meet the team

Daniela Symons

Head of Provision and DSL

Daniela Symons – Operations Director

Daniela is our Head of Provision and is responsible for everything that happens in the Provision. She is passionate about supporting those young people who don’t fit into mainstream education. She has worked in education for over 18 years, including Primary and Secondary, and in Alternative Provision.

She studied behaviour and psychology and after studying SEMH, SEN and complex needs students in schools as part of studies, she developed a passion for supporting the mental health and wellbeing of young people and in re-establishing safety and regulation. She continued her studies in Drug and Alcohol counselling, Education and Training, Assessing Vocational Achievement and went on to become a Thrive practitioner. Most recently she has trained in trauma and Psychologically Informed Practice.

Her main roles have been in behaviour and inclusion.

Rebecca Reiman

Student Outcomes and Engagement Manager

Rebecca Reiman

Before joining the Innov8 Team Rebecca worked in a SEN School for 15 years with children and young people up to 19 yrs old as Enterprise Manager. This enabled Rebecca to achieve the skills needed to deliver a work-related learning and life skills curriculum for years 12-14.

Rebecca is extremely passionate about giving young people the opportunities to help and support them into adulthood, building their confidence to gain the skills they need to succeed.

As the Student Outcomes & Engagement Manager, Rebecca works with our young people and partners from referral stage and through their time with innov8 to support their engagement.

Christina Garza

Business Support Manager

Christina Garza

Christina is our Business Support Manager. She has had long and successful career in business support including administration and finance.

Hitesh Thakur

Finance & Operations Manager

Hitesh Thakur

Bio coming soon...

Jay Mills

Lead Mentor

Jay Mills

Bicycles have been a huge part of Jay’s life. He has competed at national level within both BMX Racing and Mountain Bike Four Cross disciplines. Professionally Jay spent some years as a cycle mechanic before setting up his own specialist BMX, Skateboard and Stunt Scooter shop called ‘Hardcore Hobbies’ in 1999, this shop traded for 20 years.

More recently Jay has undertaken various types of Youth Work and has been involved in a number of projects working with young people.

In his spare time Jay likes to make music and sonic art and promotes experimental music events locally.

Jay is proud to be part of the innov8 team, and is passionate about the work we do here and the positive outcomes that can come from working with individuals in a one to one setting.

Becky Bell

Primary Lead

Becky Bell

Becky has over a decade of experience working closely with children. She found her passion for supporting children with SEMH and SEN during her 8 years working at a local Primary school. She is ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) trained and achieved diplomas in Understanding Autism, Understanding Children and Young People’s Mental Health and Understanding and Supporting Behaviours in Children.

Becky is a keen netball player and Umpire, she started up a junior section in addition to being Chairperson of her local netball club, which she’s been a member of for over 35 years. She enjoys time at the gym and particularly lifting weights, she no longer competes but used to enjoy competing at various events in England as a member of the BDFPA (British Drug Free Powerlifting Association).

Becky firmly believes in the Thrive approach and is passionate about working with children who find things difficult, like understanding feelings, emotions, friendships and school amongst other things. She believes Innov8 Primary can be a huge positive part of a child’s journey.

Piers Symons

Outreach Lead

Piers Symons

For 10 years before joining innov8 Workshops, Piers was a drug and alcohol rehabilitation worker in both residential settings and in the community.

He then moved to work in adult mental health. This experience gave him key transferable skills to work with young people. He has always had an interest in art and photography, and has seen how therapeutic and beneficial this can be to promote wellbeing and mental health.

When not being artistic, he likes to play pool, and is a qualified Pool Coach, as well as doing photography and spending time with his children. Piers tells us: “I can see firsthand the effect we can have on children who attend our provision. I cannot think of anything else I would rather be doing in my work life than this - every student I work with is amazing in their own way, and no day is ever the same.”

Nickie Young

Post 16 Lead

Nickie Young

Nickie has worked in the children and young people sector for over twenty years. She had a change in career, working with adult males at HMP Highpoint as the Neurodiversity Manager. Nickie then had the opportunity to join innov8 and become their Post 16 Lead, developing a learning package which includes Functional Skills English and Maths, ASDAN (skills-based education), Employability, life and social skills.

Nickie supports all of our Post 16 learners at innov8 to explore opportunities to move on to further education, apprenticeships, volunteering and/or paid employment and support them to follow their dreams and gain skills, confidence and self-belief along the way.

Nick May

Youth Mentor – Music

Nick May

Nick’s educational background includes an A-Level in Music Technology and a degree in Creative Music Technology, graduating with first class honours.

After graduating he set up his own music composition and sound design business, where he has been commissioned to compose and produce audio for hundreds of projects, ranging from TV adverts to installation audio for some of the world's biggest attractions and museums.

He has over 10 years’ experience working in school music departments, teaching music to 11–16 year-olds and running an A-level Music Technology course. Music education has always been an important part of his life, but it can be seen as elitist. Working at innov8 gives the opportunity to introduce young people to Music Technology who might not otherwise have access to the equipment and expertise required to get started. He is a passionate believer in our one-to-one mentoring approach and its lasting and profound impact on the lives of our students.

Jane Dow

Youth Mentor – Outdoors

Jane Dow

Jane has qualifications in horticulture and arboriculture and worked for several years as a Local Authority Tree Officer. She is also trained to teach clinical mindfulness, and as a youth worker. As Youth Engagement Manager with the British Red Cross she was inspired to develop a career working with young people outdoors, and in nature.

She also runs The Yard eco-project at St Edmundsbury Cathedral, offering a sanctuary for vulnerable young people to learn new skills and build links with the community. innov8 Outdoors allows the young people she supports to express themselves in a safe space, whilst spending time outdoors.

Jane believes from her experience that it is evident just how much this can benefit their emotional and mental wellbeing. Outside work, she teaches meditation and leads forest bathing sessions, spending as much of her time outdoors as possible. She is also renovating an old cottage and learning new skills like lime plastering.

Ross Douglas

Functional Skills Tutor

Ross Douglas

Over the last ten years Ross worked in supported housing; supporting young homeless individuals aged between 16 and 21 with a range of different needs from mental health to drug misuse issues. After seven years he became an employability Tutor where he taught young people who were over 18 and unemployed subjects such as CV writing, interview skills, self-confidence and self-awareness. At this time he completed courses such as a Level 3 Award in Education and Training, and he holds qualifications in a number of subjects, all completed through college and adult learning after leaving full-time education at the age of 14.

When he isn’t teaching, he could be found in the Wood workshop, going to art galleries, or reading Greek history and mythology. He very much enjoys learning new skills. When he visited innov8 Workshops for the first time he could see the passion and belief in all the staff, which is something he shares. He passionately believes that the work at innov8 which helps young people to understand themselves and progress is much needed.

Melissa Oakes

Youth Mentor – Arts

Melissa Tyler

Melissa is a natural creative with experience within the television, film and theatre industry in London. After moving to Suffolk Melissa began working with young people with SEND and SEMH needs and realised her passion for using arts as an outlet for our feelings. Melissa has some big plans for this workshop and hopes to teach students some artistic skills including, painting, print making and digital art whilst instilling a sense of pride and achievement in the students and what they produce.

Glen Stone

Youth Mentor – Cook

Glen Stone

Bio coming soon....

Carrie Brown

Youth Outreach Mentor

Carrie Brown

Carrie has enjoyed working with young people and their families for around 20 years, in various roles that have enabled young people to move forward in their lives. These have included supporting young people to find and maintain work, education or training, and assessing the needs of young people with a caring role.

Carrie has trained in Mental Health First Aid, Trauma Informed Assessment, Interpersonal Counselling and Health Coaching.

Carrie really enjoys being out in the community with young people and believes in finding opportunities for growth in every situation.

Joe Baker

Youth Outreach Mentor

Joe Baker

Bio coming soon...

Lucia Symons

Youth Mentor – Salon

Lucia Symons

Lucia’s passion for hair and makeup shines through in everything she does. Originally stepping in to cover the salon from our Primary Provision, she quickly found her calling and hasn’t looked back since. She attended West Suffolk College, where she studied both Makeup Artistry and Hairdressing, Lucia brings not only technical expertise but also a deep empathy and understanding of our students’ journeys. Her genuine enthusiasm and supportive nature have a powerful impact, inspiring students to grow in both skill and confidence.

Stacey Knock

Post-16 Tutor

Stacey Knock

Stacey teaches as part of our Post-16 team.

Peri Carter

Youth Outreach Mentor

Peri Carter

Peri is a multi-skilled mentor, working both in Outreach and Functional Skills.

Vicki Dobie

Primary Practitioner/Youth Mentor

Vicki Dobie

Bio coming soon...

Matt Hammond

Youth Outreach Mentor

Matt Hammond

Matt works as both an Outreach & Music mentor, sharing his passion for the outdoors & calming tunes.

Lucci Percival

Youth Mentor – Gym

Lucci Percival

Bio coming soon...

Liam March

Youth Mentor – Woodwork

Liam March

Liam has worked with children and young people for the best part of a decade in a number of sectors including housing, abuse support and teaching. He has undertaken work around the topic of consent in educational centres, advising both young people and organisations.

Of late, Liam has been renovating his home. Everything he has learned has been self-taught; he has a passion for woodwork and says that this work can be calming and therapeutic.

Liam enjoys mentoring children and young people and loves to support them in learning how to build and repair things using tools that they can use in later in life.

Heidi Nunn

Primary Practitioner

Heidi Nunn

Bio coming soon...

Sherrie Carnegie

Youth Mentor – Art

Sherrie Carnegie

Bio coming soon...

Margot

The office Dog

Margot

Margot is our overly enthusiastic (and mildly co-dependent) office dog. Margot is known for boosting team morale—and occasionally bolting out the door without warning.

She thrives on attention, belly rubs, and not being left alone for more than 23 seconds and has an uncanny ability to sense when you’re about to have a snack and will appear beside you like a furry ninja.

When not trying to escape to explore the wider world (or just the car park), Margot enjoys emotional support cuddles, barking at invisible things, and attending meetings uninvited.

Buddy

The outreach Dog

Buddy

Buddy is a key member of the team. He is always very enthusiastic and happy to see anyone, and helps to create the relaxed and friendly environment at innov8. One of his core skills is helping finish food, and he is one of the greatest supporters of innov8 Cook. He can be found lying down on the job occasionally, but it’s a dogs life…

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