Our Team
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Penny Baker - Youth Work Manager
Krunch South West is run by Penny Baker, a JNC qualified youth and community worker. Penny has worked in the local area for many years including youth clubs, prisons, and schools. She set up Krunch South West in 2013 and has been Captain of the ship ever since.
What is your favourite thing about working for Krunch South West?
‘My favourite thing about Krunch has to be seeing the positive impact we have had, and continue to have, on young people’s lives. I also enjoy working with such a creative, vibrant team who are passionate about youth work.’
How do you spend your spare time?
‘Doing anything creative- drawing, painting, playing guitar to name but a few! I also spend much of my spare time with my grandchildren, going on walks, playing in parks and just enjoying being with them.’
What is the best advice you’ve ever heard?
‘“Be kind to yourself.” It’s simple but true, although not always easy to follow.’
And finally, how do you like your eggs?
‘Poached and paired with some chili jam. But it has to be cooked just perfectly!’
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Natalie Chisnell - Personal Development Coordinator
Natalie has been with Krunch South West for seven years taking on a variety of job roles throughout that time. Currently, she is our Personal Development Coordinator working hard to ensure we can support as many young people in need as possible.
What is your favourite thing about working for Krunch South West?
‘My favourite thing about working for Krunch is the family atmosphere within the team and how this spreads out to the young people we work with. Seeing the young people having fun and having a safe place to be makes me very happy.’
How do you spend your spare time?
‘I spend my spare time with my children and husband. We like to go to National Trust grounds on long walks with good coffee! I also love singing and enjoy Yoga and other exercise like swimming and walking.’
What is the best advice you’ve ever heard?
‘The best advice I’ve heard actually comes from my mom, Penny, who is also the big boss at Krunch South West! “Everything happens for a reason” and “Be yourself.” I stand by both of these pieces of advice on a daily basis.’
And finally, how do you like your eggs?
‘Nice and healthy, preferably poached, but most importantly with a runny yolk.’
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Josh Williams - Youth Worker
Josh has been with Krunch South West since December 2020 and works as one of our Youth Workers as well as our resident spray paint artist.
What is your favourite thing about working for Krunch South West?
‘My favourite thing has to be the freedom in choice of activities we get to do for youth clubs. Being able to be somewhat random and decide what to do with the kids, I feel brings out the best in them and helps boost their confidence.’
How do you spend your spare time?
‘On the computer, gaming or watching anime, I watch a lot of anime! Also spray painting.’
What is the best advice you’ve ever heard?
‘“Being popular is all about having confidence in yourself.” This can take some explaining but in order to feel like you fit in, you need to be happy with yourself first. No one cares that much as long as you are confident and self-assured in yourself.’
And finally, how do you like your eggs?
‘Buckle in, I’m about to get specific. First, I scramble them, add some vegetables, and heavily season. I then wait until the egg is just about cooked and add a ton of cheese. Almost as much cheese as there is egg! Once the cheese has caramelised/almost burnt and the egg is overcooked, I then finally eat!’
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Izzy Brown - Youth Worker & Mentor
Izzy is a Youth Worker for Krunch South West and has also recently started working as a Mentor as well. She was a volunteer to begin with but became a permanent member of the team three months ago.
What is your favourite thing about working for Krunch South West?
‘I really appreciate the diversity in the kids we work with. Being able to engage with such a range of young people means that one day is never quite the same as the next.’
How do you spend your spare time?
‘I spend my spare time with family and friends, often I’m at the side of a rainy football pitch watching my nephew play.’
What is the best advice you’ve ever heard?
‘“Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.”’
And finally, how do you like your eggs?
‘In a sandwich. I love an egg sandwich.’
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Jason Clark - Youth Worker & Mentor
Jason is a Youth Worker and Mentor for Krunch South West and has been a member of the team for three years.
What is your favourite thing about working for Krunch South West?
‘I love that everyone brings their own unique skills which enables us to reach out to young people in more ways than one. I enjoy running the bushcraft sessions and witnessing first-hand the positive effect this has on the young people. Plus, it teaches young people that there’s more to life that Xbox and mobile phones! (Yes, I actually did just say that kids!) But most of all I love to see the change in young people’s lives and hear the positive feedback we get from parents; it’s why we do this job. Oh, also, it helps keeps me young, you wouldn’t believe I was in my thirties!’
How do you spend your spare time?
‘That’s a good question, what’s spare time again? I enjoy spending time with family, picking wild mushrooms, playing my mandolin, and reading, usually theological books that would send most people to sleep. Apart from that, I work as a handyman fixing things.’
What is the best advice you’ve ever heard?
‘Probably from my mum, “start as you mean to go on.” In other words, if you want to see changes in your life you need to act toady and not put things off till tomorrow.’
And finally, how do you like your eggs?
‘Hard boiled, 3 minutes, every time.’
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Jo Culpin - Youth Worker
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Liz Ball - Administrator & Mentor
Liz Ball is the part time administrator and Mentor for Krunch South West.
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Our Volunteers
Mike Rogers – Youth Worker
Grace Lessiter – Volunteer
Alex Kilbaine – Youth Worker/Volunteer
Emily Curtis – Volunteer
Phoebe Jones – Volunteer
Lucy Suddaby-Smith – Youth Worker
Daisy Byrne – Youth Worker
Grace Ball – Communications Volunteer
