PROGRAMME DIRECTOR

Denese Clarke is a Legal Practitioner who studied Law at London University and post-graduate studies in Legal Practice at DeMontfort University. She is also a Restorative Justice Practitioner for Restorative Justice Initiative Midlands UK. She is the recipient of Leicestershire Black Police Association for Service Excellence for her work in Restorative Justice.

She has worked in International Development in Southern Africa to address the increasing attrition rate of sexual offence against the girl-child and gender-based violence to strengthen the existing structure instituted for protecting vulnerable children and women.

Denese has worked with the UK Government on Policy Research into the disparity on students from ethnic minority background and those from low income background accessing top UK university places, to influence change in policies and promote equal opportunity for all students. She has project managed initiatives with charitable organizations, working with numerous partnership organizations in developing and delivering projects to challenge negative perceptions and stigma of those with challenging health issues. She is also a Trainer in Education providing training to young ex-offenders, young people and the unemployed within the community and also assist young entrepreneurs with developing business plans.

She has held several Directorships on Community Development and Regeneration Project, Health and Social Care, Social Inclusion Project that supports vulnerable people within the community, Director for her own Craft company and has been an active Advocate for Community Social Care. She has also actively engaged with community organizations by becoming involved as Board Member on College Board of Governors, Chair of School Education Appeal Panel, Community Funding Panels.

In her free time, Denese is a keen Horticulturalist, enjoys making various craftwork and enjoys flying a light aircraft.