Karen - Targeted Mentor

Karen Wood – Targeted Mentoring Specialist

With over twenty years of experience in physical health, wellbeing, and youth development, Karen has built a career dedicated to empowering individuals and communities. She began as a personal trainer, working for ten years before moving into 14 years of service in criminal justice and secure environments across a variety of roles. During this time, she supported young people in developing social and life skills, accessing mental health support, and addressing undiagnosed special educational needs. She also facilitated reintegration into wider communities and designed physical health programmes for staff and residents, ensuring they met national governing body standards.

Academically, she holds a degree in Sport, Physical Education and Special Educational Needs, followed by a Master’s in Sport, Physical Health and Mental Health. After leaving the service, she worked briefly with Merseycare as a sports and lifestyle coach, supporting underprivileged families. She then joined a community interest company, where she planned, developed, and delivered physical and emotional health and wellbeing programmes in schools and community settings across some of the most deprived areas of Knowsley.

She is now proud to serve in a mentoring role with a youth development charity, where she draws on her extensive experience and passion for helping young people reach their full potential.