Emma Holmes - BLAST Project Co-ordinator
For just over three years Emma has worked as both development worker and most recently Co-ordinator for the BLAST Project in Bradford. Prior to working at the BLAST Project Emma has had a varied work background including developing services for trafficked women and working within a residential child protection setting. Both pre and post qualifying as a social worker in 2002, Emma has worked with some of the most marginalised groups of people in our society, including volunteering for 3 years at a service that supports girls and young women involved in sexual exploitation. She holds various qualifications in training and care management, along with her social work degree, but feels she has gained her most relevant experience from being a front line worker for many years.
Roshan - BLAST Development Worker - Leeds
Roshan joined Yorkshire MESMAC in December 2006 as Development Worker for the BLAST Project.
After graduating in 2004 from Leeds University with a BA in European Politics he was elected as Co-ordinator for Leeds University Union Nightline on a one-year contract.
Following this, he worked for two years at Victim Support Leeds as Co-ordinator for operations over the Pudsey/Weetwood and Chapeltown Police Divisions. He supported people who had experienced violent and non-violent crime and anti-social behaviour.
He developed an interest in working with people who had been victims of hate crime, and informed working practice across Victim Support West Yorkshire. In addition to this, he trained and developed Victim Support volunteers, and delivered training to West Yorkshire Police officers on Victim Care.
Roshan feels that BLAST is a unique project in terms of the issues it tackles and the client group it works with, and is delighted to be developing the project in Leeds.