EYAI was started by Jo Brown and Rev'd Pippa Soundy in 2012.

As an outreach youth worker Jo has watched various teenagers grow up into young adults with for whatever reason no practical experience or qualifications to gain employment. Some have been out of work for a long time.

With this in mind Jo and Pippa wanted to see more provisions for them when they get to the stage ‘in their growing up’ to want to be working.

Pippa has always supported Jo with her outreach youth work and so between them were able to come up with an idea of how to put Jo's knowledge and passion for supporting young adults together, with the help of skilled workers in various trades alongside mentoring support to build up the self confidence they will have lost through negative experiences trying to gain and stay in education and/or employment.

Jo holds a degree in Business Management and Leadership with Social Sciences from the Open University. In her various childcare roles, she has completed training in child protection, first aid for both school and workplace settings, and the secure handling of confidential information.

Jo began her career in childcare as a nanny after finishing school. Whilst raising her own children, she provided child-minding services and took the initiative to establish and manage play schemes, after-school clubs, and run youth clubs. Her son has special needs, presenting challenges that deepened her understanding and led her to collaborate closely with social services, local authorities, the police, and Young Offenders teams as he reached his teenage years. As her son required less direct support, Jo transitioned into employment with some of these support services. These experiences have instilled a strong sense of empathy in Jo, particularly towards young adults navigating difficulties on their path to becoming active, positive members of their communities.

Throughout her career, Jo has developed a wide skill set and continues her professional development. She has training in safeguarding adults and children, first aid, domestic violence awareness, and the management of confidential information. These qualifications underpin her work with young adults. Jo also holds a Level One certificate in Health and Social Care, mental health awareness, Minds, Youth Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE).

Pippa and Jo met whilst Jo was working as the youth worker for Holmer Green Christ Church and she also supported Jo during her work as an age group leader for Hazlemere Lighthouse over 5 years. Jo supported Pippa throughout her Vicar training.

Pippa’s outlook on Church work had always been in an outreach capacity, working with and for local communities working in four small villages. She particularly wanted to encourage more use of the churches and to see many more church premises utilised for their communities in the long term.

Sadly, the Rev. Pippa Soundy died on 12 April 2021 after a long fight with cancer. Her input and continued support of EYAI will be deeply missed.