Area Operations Manager

Deborah grew up in Workington and attended local schools. On completing a degree in English Literature, she went on to a take a post graduate Diploma course in Careers Guidance at Newcastle Polytechnic, before returning to West Cumbria.

She joined Cumbria Careers Service as a Careers Adviser and gained experience working in virtually every school in Allerdale. She particularly enjoyed working with young people with learning difficulties and disabilities and was successful in her application to become a specialist Careers Adviser working across schools in West Cumbria and Carlisle.

Deborah went on to be a Team leader and Area Manager in Cumbria Careers Service. She has also worked in a variety of roles within Connexions Cumbria, Area Manager and Performance Manager before starting her current roles as Service Development and Contract Manager (Targeted Services) with Inspira.

Her current role has involved setting up the DASH Service (Drugs, Alcohol and Sexual Health) and carrying out strategic work in relation to targeted, vulnerable groups of young people such as Young Offenders, LLDD, Teen Parent’s and Care Leavers.

She is passionate about Cumbria and is committed to improving the life chances of young Cumbrians through personal development activities, youth work, careers advice and the provision of specialist services.

Outside of work she has been on the governing bodies of two Workington secondary schools and has chaired a number of community forums connected to the redevelopment of West Cumbria.