Meet the team

Barbara Holder Director

Advocate for women’s recovery and empowerment to succeed.

Barbara was born and brought up in Croydon South London. She has worked in a number of services spanning 24 years. Her early days in education and youth work were foundations to support a number of vulnerable people in need.

Barbara has gained and developed significant experience of the youth and criminal justice system, including lived experience, worked within probation, youth work, youth offending, children, adult residential care and with Veterans for the past 8 years. Knowing her own journey and seeing lives scarred by moments that did not need to happen, hearing and feeling the frustration of families, friends and neighbours she decided to take action.

The dream of Liberty Springboard hasn’t happened over night, it has been a vision for almost 20 years. With her current team who also have extensive and similar experiences, they began to carry out more research to fully understand the profile of girls and women in the system and the massive impact of their convictions on themselves and their families.

They gathered a group of fifteen practitioners and twelve women with lived experience to gain a greater understanding of the context of convictions, the stories behind them and appreciate the support and strategies needed to bring change. This grouping forms the basis of our Co-production/Management Committee, guiding and engaging with us in the development of our plans. 

In addition to the Directors and this support group, Barbara and the team will be using a range of techniques to ensure our community  are better  able to engage/influence by providing a holistic, wrap around service to make a positive contribution to a reduction in re-offending and impacting real change to those most in need.

Sydney Coy Director

 Advocate for Recovery and Criminal Justice Reforms

Sydney is a passionate and dedicated professional at the forefront of the intersection between recovery and criminal justice reform. With a career spanning over two decades, Sydney has become a leading advocate for individuals seeking a path to recovery within the criminal justice system.

Sydney has laid the foundation for a career devoted to understanding the complexities of human behaviour and the factors influencing recovery. His early professional experiences involved working in Prisons & Community facilities, witnessing firsthand the challenges faced by individuals grappling with addiction and navigating the criminal justice system.

Pioneering Approaches to Recovery: Driven by a commitment to improving outcomes for those facing the dual challenges of addiction and mental health issues, Sydney has been instrumental in developing innovative recovery programs within high-risk settings. These programs focus on evidence-based practices, individualised treatment plans, and holistic approaches that address the root causes of substance abuse and criminal behaviour.

Advocacy and Policy Influence: Sydney is not only an expert practitioner but also a tireless advocate for policy changes that promote a more compassionate and effective approahttps://1drv.ms/i/s!AvVQT0mk8RW8gpBxgZ-mKP-5MGroww?e=zIizUBch to recovery within the criminal justice system. He has collaborated with policymakers, non-profit organisations, and community leaders to shape legislation and policies that prioritise effective rehabilitation over punitive measures.

Community Engagement: Understanding the importance of community involvement, Sydney actively engages with local organisations and grassroots initiatives. By bridging the gap between recovery services and community support, Sydney strives to create a network of resources that empowers individuals on their journey to rehabilitation and reintegration. Sydney stands as a beacon of hope and change in the realm of recovery and criminal justice. Through a combination of expertise, advocacy, and genuine compassion, Sydney continues to make significant strides in transforming the way society addresses addiction and legal challenges, paving the way for a more just and compassionate future.

Keshia Holder Director 

Keshia brings over 13 years of experience in the criminal justice system, driven by a commitment to social change and advocating for vulnerable individuals. Her passion for helping others has been shaped by both professional experiences and personal challenges, with resilience developed through overcoming adversity.

Growing up in difficult circumstances Keshia was determined to break the cycle and support others facing similar struggles. Volunteering with her mother in youth programs sparked her lifelong dedication to helping disadvantaged young people.

During her time as a probation officer in her 20s, Keshia recognised a significant gap in addressing trauma as a contributing factor to offending behaviour, particularly within the female cohort. This insight led to a shift toward providing trauma-informed, specialised support, emphasising the importance of addressing the root causes of offending rather than just the behaviours themselves.

Keshia has also served as a deputy service manager at an independent approved premises and as a team leader for a substance misuse service sub-contracted for the London probation. Her roles have included program facilitator within the probation service and community payback supervisor. 

Currently working within the youth justice system, Keshia continues to focus on advocating for at-risk individuals, guiding them through complex circumstances toward positive change. 

Her work aims not only to prevent reoffending but to foster personal transformation, empowerment, and lasting improvement. Through her ongoing commitment, Keshia is dedicated to breaking harmful cycles and offering hope for a better future

Tahani Tottman Project coordinator – narrative to come