Melisa joined the nurtureuk team in 2014 and is based in the West of Scotland. After completing her BA Degree in Business Information Management she then went on to work as an Administrative/Office manager within a commercial diving school.

After joining the nurtureuk team Melisa’s role has changed and adapted over the years, and she is now Product Manager.

Melisa has two young children and is passionate about making sure all children receive the best start in life and is offered the help and support they need to thrive.

In her spare time she is kept on her toes with two toddlers and is thrilled to have someone to enjoy her Disney passion with. She has a slight obsession with planning and stationery, if there is a list to be made she will be on the case!

What does nurture mean to you?

Having two young children nurturing values mean so much to me. I want to ensure they are nurtured in every way. While doing this it makes me want to make sure everyone is nurtured and to allow them to become the best that they can do. I am so thrilled to be part of a company who values nurture and works to ensure that all children are nurtured into adulthood.

What do you enjoy about working at nurtureuk?

I love everything about nurtureuk, I am passionate about their vision and mission statement. The team is absolutely fantastic and great to work with. I can’t imagine working with a better company.

Jonathan is a keen marketing enthusiast, with years of experience in both digital and traditional marketing and communications. 

Jonathan began his career working in sales in the luxury cruise industry. Since moving into marketing, his roles have focused on such areas as content creation, copywriting, website management, social media, email marketing, paid media and blogging. He has also done voluntary work for a charity in the education sector.

Jonathan attended the University of Portsmouth, where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Media Studies.

Outside of work, he has a passion for travel. His other interests include photography, football, basketball and health/fitness.

Claire has been involved with nurtureuk for many years. She had a long career as a Nurture Group Practitioner and as an Associate Trainer for the charity, before joining the team as a Consultant Trainer in 2014. As of 2023, Claire is now our Quality Assurance Manager.

You may also know Claire’s name from the brilliant resource she and Andrew Locke created, Establishing a Secondary Nurture Group, as well as The Importance of Snack Time in Nurturing Interventions.

“I am passionate about working for nurtureuk to train educators in their work with children and young people. I hope that by passing on my experience and knowledge, they feel supported and empowered to continue with such an important job.”

What does nurture mean to you?

To me nurture is about relationships- building trusting bonds, being non-judgemental and understanding of pupils needs. It’s about equity- seeing the potential in every pupil, meeting them at whatever developmental level they are at and realising that all behaviour is communication, and our role is to see what is behind the behaviour and support them through that. Each and every one of our pupils has the potential to succeed and it is up to us to remove the barriers to learning, using the Boxall Profile® to assess strengths as well as difficulties and living the Six Principles of Nurture in our practice day to day.

What do you enjoy about working at nurtureuk?

It is an honour to work with educators knowing that our training and resources might make the difference to outcomes for their pupils that could impact positively for the rest of their lives. It is humbling and extremely fulfilling.

Emily joined the nurtureuk team in 2021 and is based in the North West of England. She moved up north in 2011 to study Fashion Design and Marketing, and went on to work in corporate marketing and business development settings. Her more recent roles have seen her support charities, social enterprises, and community groups to deliver sustainable social action programmes, through the provision of marketing, fundraising, governance support, and business development.

She is passionate about seeing children reach their full potential, and creating a more equal society for all.

In her spare time, she enjoys visiting family and friends, going to gigs, and spending time exploring the Peak District with her husband and golden retriever. She feels most at home by the Cornish or Dorset coast with a big portion of fish and chips!

What does nurture mean to you?

A nurturing approach to education ensures all children have the opportunity to develop to their full potential – socially, emotionally, mentally and academically.

What do you enjoy about working at nurtureuk?

I love hearing about the impact nurture has on the children and young people our education professionals work with – it genuinely changes lives! It’s great to be surrounded by a team who understand and have experienced the difference nurture can make, and who are passionate about supporting children and young people’s social, emotional and mental health.

Annette joined nurtureuk in 2021, having previously worked as an Executive Assistant, providing supporting at a senior level for organisations in both the private and public sectors, including the NHS and not-for-profit organisations.

In her spare time, Annette enjoys pilates, walking and travelling.

What does nurture mean to you?

Understanding, encouragement and support for children and young people giving them them the opportunity to meet their potential whilst feeling safe and happy in school.

What do you enjoy about working at nurtureuk?

A common and clear goal with everyone working together in a committed, supportive and caring way, great team spirit.

Arti is a seasoned leader with a career that has spanned over 25 years across several areas including teaching, commercial and not-for-profit sectors where she has been able to showcase her expertise and passion for education and the development of children and young people.

Arti was the recipient of the ACEVO Fellow 2018/2019 where she was recognised for her exceptional leadership. She was also selected to be part of the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations, Jane Slowey memorial fellowship for BAME CEOs in 2021/2022.

Prior to nurtureuk was Deputy Chief Executive for City Year UK, a youth social action charity where, with her strong background in marketing and communication, she led all external facing activities including school sales, recruitment, partnerships, public affairs, communications and development.

She joined nurtureuk as CEO during the pandemic in 2020, and has transformed the charity into the thriving, inclusive and growing charity it is today. Arti has big ambitions to make #nurturethenorm across our education system. She is actively working with the staff and consultants team, board, education professionals, partners, parents and members to drive nurtureuk’s mission forward.

“Having had first-hand experience of bereavement at a young age and knowing the subsequent impact it had upon my early school years, I strongly believe children from any background have the right to a safe and nurturing environment; to be the best they can be.”

Arti’s passion for improving children and young people’s lives extends beyond her CEO role and she is currently (2024-25) an expert Commissioner on the Raising the Nation Play Commission. The year-long commission will lead a national conversation about how to encourage and support children to play more. She is also a Trustee for the BGF Foundation which provides unrestricted funding to charities focused on helping disadvantaged young people.

Arti is a regular gym goer, enjoys live music and cooking.

What does nurture mean to you?

It’s creating an environment where children and young people can thrive, be happy and learn because they feel safe. This is followed through by an ethos and values that are adhered to by all those involved connected to a child’s life. Nurture for me is the ball of energy and tools that equips a child or young person with the confidence that they can achieve and be anything they desire to be.

What do you enjoy about working at nurtureuk?

For me it’s two-fold; As an ex-teacher, I do love it when I get the opportunity to visit a school and see nurture in action, hear positive stories and meet the amazing and dedicated school staff who go beyond the realms of their remit.

Secondly I do think we have the best staff, consultant and trustee team! I feel really privileged to work alongside such passionate, caring and value-driven professionals who continue to embrace external challenges with grace and composure.

We all work hard but there is still a lot of fun to be had and the daily anecdotes, watercooler moments and staff away days bring me joy.