Since 2017, we have worked with over 120 disadvantaged students.
Who we are
We are a Community Interest Company (CIC) based in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire.
Evidence suggests that a child who is experiencing an ACE (Adverse Childhood Experience) will have poorer educational outcomes and fewer opportunities. We want to provide an educational intervention and prevent poor outcomes. There is an existing need within the community to help provide tutoring, mentoring and support for these individuals. We have taken on a few students successfully and we would like to expand the opportunities available.
Our aim is to improve the educational outcomes for vulnerable children and young people aged between 8 and 18, who have been affected by adverse childhood experiences and those whose education and confidence has suffered as a result of abuse, neglect or trauma. We have so far worked with over 120 children, over half of which have been in local authority care.
Research shows that children perform significantly better when they’re tutored one-to-one for their education, compared to students who are tutored in a traditional classroom setting. (Bloom, B; 1984)
Helping vulnerable children in this way, ATQ aims to improve educational outcomes by providing a nurturing environment that is safe, secure, flexible, caring and a place where positive relationships are seen as fundamental. ATQ lessons focus on well-being, social and emotional learning, and the building of resilience.
Our Board
Jo Austin.
Jo has worked in primary and secondary education for 25 years with a focus on the benefits of one to one coaching and mentoring.
This includes work as a teacher, psychologist, student mentor and support worker with students from a wide range of backgrounds.
She set up RTQ in Hebden Bridge 16 years ago to meet the needs of local children and started working with looked after children on a voluntary basis in 2006, offering them the chance to experience high quality one to one tuition, raise aspirations, set personal goals and achieve their potential.
With her new venture she aims to expand this offer to include children across Calderdale with ACE.
Margaret Mytton.
Margaret has worked in several roles in the NHS – Health Education, and a number of roles in psychiatric settings, mainly with adults but also adolescents.
She is a qualified art therapist, with experience of teaching people with learning disabilities and severe autism.
For 26 years, she has taught Art & Design in Higher Education – exploring students’ individual creativity.
Margaret is involved highly in support for vulnerable young adults, and has in-depth experience of writing EHC Plans.
Amanda Elwen.
Amanda has worked in the charity sector for 25 years, and her areas of expertise include safeguarding children, ending violence against women and girls and philanthropy.
Amanda has come on board as a director of ATQ to develop provision and early support for children living with adverse childhood experiences.
Clare Whitworth.
Clare has run her own business for 13 years, as a complimentary therapist, children’s yoga teacher and more recently, psychotherapist.
This has included working with several charities. She also jointly ran a successful out of school club for several years and tutors at RTQ.
Her areas of expertise include trauma, sexual abuse, safeguarding, and counselling with young people.
Georgia Cronshaw.
Georgia Cronshaw is currently a Cell Biology student at UCL. Prior to university she was both an employee and student at RTQ. She herself understands the first hand benefit of what tutoring can do for an individual, not just academically but also socially.
Georgia has come on board as a trustee for ATQ to help in the quest to provide support and opportunities to young people who have experienced Adverse Childhoods.
Marie-Elise Worswick.
Marie-Elise has experience of working with charities from around Greater Manchester, in particular those who focus on children and young adults with complex needs and from adverse backgrounds.
Marlon Austin.
Marlon is one of our student tutors at RTQ, and is one of our volunteers and mentors for ATQ.
As a fellow student, he is able to provide peer support to students, whilst also providing first class tuition.
Louis Horton.
Louis is a former student and employee of RTQ, and acts as Treasurer for ATQ.
Louis works as a retail Store Manager in Manchester and is actively involved in charity projects within his local community. He has seen first hand the impact on the most vulnerable from school closures due to Covid-19, and is passionate about equality in education.
Student Helpers
Rosa.
Rosa is one of our student helpers and is on site to help with our ATQ tuition.
Ella.
Ella is a member of our ‘student helpers’ team, and helps with the admin side of ATQ, including running our monthly newsletter.