Monika Richards – Project Co-ordinator, Sussex Adolescent Mentoring Service (SAMS)

“Upon listening to the speakers from Breaking Down Barriers I was struck by the impact their deeply personal accounts of being discriminated against made on the listeners. It created a non-judgemental environment in which all participants could share and explore their own perceptions and I love this innovative way of learning.”

Monika’s experience sits in the creative industry, community and public sector. After 5 years working for the Arts Council England, Monika began to work freelance with a focus on project management, diversity work and facilitating professional development initiatives. Monika is passionate about using creative means for deeper engagement between organisations, communities and individuals.

Monika is an accredited Coach and a member of the National Association for Writers in Education, Arvon Foundation and Relational Dynamics 1^st.. Monica coaches and mentors young and marginalised people in their learning journey using her creative coaching skills in 1-2-1 sessions, group action learning sets, workshops  and generally for a range of people to reach their career and personal ambitions.

In her artistic practice Monika is a spoken word artist, poet and is also a published writer who works to commission and also collaboratively lead on participative literature projects in educational and community settings. Monika has the ability to coach and mentor young people in their learning journey through artistic expression and beyond, providing a creative and innovative approach to helping individuals fulfil their potential.