Welcome to Media Academy Cymru!
Proud to be a Welsh multi-award winning organisation that supports children and young people to achieve their potential.
Welcome to Media Academy Cymru, co-producing work with children and young people since 2010. We hope the website gives you an insight into our work but we know the website isn’t a person.
If you would like to discuss any of our services or have anything you would like to say about our work, please email us at info@mediaacademycymru.wales highlighting which service you would like to discuss and one of the team will be in touch soon. We usually are able to respond within 24 hours.
Thank you for your interest in MAC,
Nick Corrigan
Chief Executive
MAC was created in 2010 and has since been at the forefront in Wales of supporting children and young people (CYP) when they have needed support or somewhere safe to turn. MAC is internationally known for its work in diverting CYP from the criminal justice system, having created both 10-17 and 18-25 Triage diversion programmes in Wales where previously there was none. To date, we have diverted over 10,000 CYP away from the criminal justice system.
As reflected in our name, media has been a core component of our work, acting as the engagement hook to get CYP through our doors where we can then support and challenge them to achieve their potential and believe that they can do anything they set their mind to. Our partnership with Cardiff and Vale College over this period has allowed us to offer an holistic, accredited training programme, which offers a supported leaning environment that aims to reduce all barriers to learning. Since 2010, MAC has worked with over 30,000 CYP from across Wales, from Monmouth to Carmarthen, in one of its main services.
MAC has a skilled, diverse staff team working across 17 current services. Employing talented, passionate individuals with many existing professional qualifications, we also strive for all staff to undertake a youth work qualification as part of their induction, so that we remain relevant to CYP and consistent with our values and raison d’etre of why MAC started.
If you would like further information on our work please see the information provided in our Services page or Contact Us.
Our Staff
Ali is a support tutor on our Digital Media course that we run at Barry Campus. Her role is to teach young people the practical skills of Digital Media – including Design, Film, Audio, Animation, Editing and Working in a Team.
Amanda is a case manager within the Parallel Lives Team, supporting families experiencing APVA. Amanda has a Bsc in Behavioural Science and a PGCE in Primary Education. She has worked in education and has over 20 years teaching experience.
When not in the office, Amanda loves spending her time with family and friends. She keeps fit and active by trying different gym classes and leisurely runs. Amanda is an avid reader and committed book club member, who loves coastal and city breaks away .
Ashleigh is part of the Custody Suite Services (CSS), based in Swansea Central Police Station. She supports children and young people ages 10-17 who come into custody through a motivational interview and teachable moments. She has a First Class Honours degree in Social Studies and have a background in domestic abuse, trauma, and social, emotional and behavioural difficulties in young people.
She is an Irish dancer and dance teacher, dog lover and outdoor enthusiast. She is happiest when she is with her dogs and family.
Bex is one of our 10-17 Divert Case Managers in Cardiff. Bex has a BSc in Psychology with a Professional Placement from Cardiff University.
Bex likes sports, spending time with friends, and going to the gym
Daniel works as a Youth Mentor as part of the Mentoring service for young people aged 10-17 in Cardiff. Daniel has a degree in Criminology, Policing and Investigation.
Daniel is a big lover of sports, mainly football and golf. In his spare time he loves to go watch Blackburn Rovers and the national football team.
Dan is the lead tutor on our Digital Media course that we run at MAC. His role is to lead and teach young people the practical skills of Digital Media – including Design, Film, Audio, Animation, Editing and Working in a Team.
Emily delivers Braver Choices and Mentoring for young people aged 10-17 in Cardiff and the Vale. Emily has a degree in Policing and Criminology and has previous experience of working in the justice system.
In her free time, Emily enjoys finding new beaches to explore with her dog.
Georgia co-facilitates MAC’s LGBTQ youth support service in Newport. She also works as Resilience Lab Coordinator for the young people’s mental healthy charity Off The Record in Bristol.
In her spare time she likes going to the cinema and cuddling her pet cat Scout
Ian works as a counsellor at MAC. His therapy training focussed on systemic, solution-focussed approaches. He tries to help young people and adults find a positive way forward for their life and wellbeing.
Ian also works as an award winning filmmaker and in his spare time he eats too much chocolate.
Jack works within the Peer Action Collective project, helping understand and research youth violence and the ways policy makers can make changes to better our communities. Jack also delivers one-to-one music and creative arts sessions as a part of diversionary activities for MAC.
In his spare time Jack is an underground electronic music composer where he frequently releases and performs energetic experimental electronic music across the UK.
Joseph is a qualified Youth and Community Education worker. Joseph has worked with many MAC projects and is actively engaged with case work delivery.
In his spare time he loves researching and discovering counter narratives to all aspects of life.
John is our Swansea hospital weapons worker, a qualified youth worker and has experience in youth clubs for over 5 years. Previously he has also volunteered for the DofE programme which eventually led him to youth work.
In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with family and friends. He also has a passion for motorcycles and enjoys riding his bike on a regular basis and attending charity events.
Kim is part of the Custody Suite Support (C.S.S.) Team, based in Cardiff Bay Police Station, supporting young people aged 10 – 17 that come into custody. Kim has a background in youth and community and has previously worked in areas such as PRU’s, substance misuse, homelessness, and supporting young people with additional needs.
Kim is interested in anything arty and is learning art therapy skills. She loves making jewellery and working with silver. Kim loves spending time with her family, festivals, and music.
Libby is our Parallel Lives Case Manager in Swansea. She supports children aged 10-17 and their parents where there is APVA. Libby has worked as a childcare worker in nurseries, teaching assistant in Primary schools and a youth worker in the Early Help Hub.
Libby a mum of 2 children, 2 dogs and a cat and in her spare time is an amateur astronomer and loves to holiday in as many new places as possible.
Marianna is a 10-17 Divert Case Manager. She has a background in youth, community work and design.
In her spare time Marianna likes hiking and reading thrillers.
Melanie has worked at MAC since 2015. She is our HR, facilities and Administration Manager and a member of the senior leadership team. She is responsible for the full lifecycle of the employment relationship (people processes, policies and procedures) and with many of the day to day internal operations of MAC.
Outside of work she is a busy mum of two and enjoys socialising (especially where there is good food involved), exercising and a decent box set!
Michael is our Head of Education and Training, overseeing the Film and Media courses. Teaching on the film course, his role is to help young people understand and learn a range of skills in Film Production – including cinematography, writing, directing, audio, editing, animation, and working as a team.
Michael has worked on countless short and feature films in various roles, created eight feature films, and won two National Television Society Awards.
Mr Bear is the MAC office dog who can generally be found lazing around upstairs or in the counselling room with young people to help them get over their nerves.
Mr. Bear is a toy poodle who likes nothing more than a rub on the belly.
Naomi is our 1017 Divert Case Manager for the Vale of Glamorgan. She provides intervention for young people aged 10 to 17 who have committed a low-level offence.
Before MAC, Naomi worked for a Welsh music label and promoter, a museum and a charity project for people in furniture poverty. She also worked in a homeless hostel in Cardiff for almost 10 years.
In her spare time, Naomi enjoys walking her dog in the Welsh mountains, seeing friends and family and listening to a wide range of music. She also REALLY likes glitter!
Nerida co-facilitates MAC’s LGBTQ+ support service and works with Newport Youth Council.
She studied Theatre and Drama at the University of South Wales and works within the youth arts sector and the LGBTQ+ community in South Wales.
In her spare time, Nerida does terrible but very enthusiastic gardening.
Nick is the founder and Chief Executive of the company with responsibility for policy, funding and external affairs. He is also the overall safeguarding lead for the organisation. Nick is a sought after speaker on the youth justice system and non-formal educational approaches.
Working with young people for the last 35 years he is a vocal advocate of the power of youth work to empower and change lives positively. He currently Chairs two wider non-profit organisations in Wales and is a member of the national expert panel on diversion.
Nicola is a Parallel Lives Case Manager within the Parallel Lives Programme in Cardiff. Nicola has a BSc (Hons) in Psychology and a MSc in Health Psychology.
Nicola likes spending time with friends, doing sports and volunteers with an eating disorders charity in her free time.
Nigel is part of the Custody Suite Services (CSS), based in Bridgend. Previous to starting with MAC he worked as a family support worker with BCBC.
Previously, Nigel spent 22 years in the RAF straight from school, and was part of Gulf war in 1991. Nigel played rugby from the age of 8 until his final game at 40. Nigel has 3 children 2 boys and a girl.
Rhian is a 1017 Divert Case Manager for the Vale of Glamorgan. Rhian has a degree in Criminology from the University of York.
Rhian is a first language Welsh speaker who loves spending time with family and friends. Rhian enjoys all kind of sports, and competes competitively in running and swimming.
Rob is one of our Child Exploitation Case Managers.
He has worked in the third sector for over 20 years in various roles with organisations such as Safer Wales, Techniquest, Pride Cymru and Llamau.
In his spare time Rob enjoys river walks, cheesy pop music and travelling the UK, he’s also partial to good zombie movie!
Sarah has joined us as Director of Accredited Learning, overseeing the setting up of new provisions as we expand the education team and courses we will be offering in future. Outreach work is key to the role, as well as continuing our collaborations with Cardiff & Vale College, Wales Millennium Centre, Bad Wolf Studios and Screen Alliance Wales.
Sophie is a 1017 Divert Case Manager for Cardiff. Sophie has a BSc in Criminology and Sociology from Cardiff University and has had past experience working with vulnerable youth and volunteering for South Wales Police.
Out of the office Sophie enjoys spending time with her family including her doggos. She also likes to play rugby. Sophie has also trained in Karate for over 17 years and is a Black Belt 2nd Dan.
Steph is the coordinator of the Peer Action Collective project, where she supports a team of 15 peer researchers throughout their training, workshops, interviews with young people, national events and interactions with governmental bodies, practitioners, and CYP. She is an advocate for young people and encourages them to engage and amplify their voices!
Out of the office, Steph works as a freelancer within theatre and film – working on various projects across Wales.
Tammie is the case manager for Swansea knife crime. She has studied a degree in youth and community work.
Tammie used to manage a youth hub in Swansea and be involved in Swansea’s contextual safeguarding.
In her spare time, Tammie likes going on adventures outdoors seeing beautiful views.
Tom is a tutor on the film courses that we run at MAC. His role is to teach young people the basics of film production to create their own films, and explore careers within the film and TV industry.
Tom is a producer and 1st assistant director of local independent short films, adverts, music videos and feature films, including the Welsh horror film Protein, due to be released in 2022.
Tom is our Communications Intern. Tom is currently studying Media and Communications at Swansea University.
In his spare time, Tom enjoys spending time with his cats and going to the gym to lift extremely heavy weights.
Tor is the Co-ordinator of the Custody Suite Support (C.S.S.) Service. The programme engages and motivates children and young people arrested across the South Wales Police force area for violent offences through a motivational interviewing methodology.
Tor has an extensive background in Youth Justice and managed a team engaging children and young people in an intensive intervention programme as a direct alternative to a custodial sentence.
In her spare time, Tor loves spending time with her family, enjoys keeping fit with yoga and swimming and cuddling her first grandchild.
