Dave has over thirty years' experience as a professionally qualified youth worker, the past fourteen years of which have been within the NHS in his current role, where he manages small teams of youth workers and play specialists.  Having worked extensively within local authority and voluntary sectors, he is committed to the equipping and empowering of young people to develop their full potential in all aspects of their lives and communities. His role within the acute healthcare setting is to coordinate the holistic support and advocacy for young people subject to illness and injury - including in-patient mental health care - resulting in positive change as well as improved healthcare outcomes. He has BA(Hons) in Youth & Community Work with Applied Theology and a post-graduate certificate in Advanced Paediatric Spiritual Care.