The Underdog Crew CIC | Underdog Crew Studios

Healing through compassion, empathy and lived experience.

Behind Every Young Person Is a Story Worth Understanding

At The Underdog Crew, we believe that meaningful support begins with understanding the person, not simply the challenges they face.

Every young person has a story. Some have experienced trauma, exclusion, isolation or difficulties navigating traditional education and support systems. Others are learning to understand their neurodivergence, build their confidence or find their place in the world.

Whatever their experiences, they deserve to be listened to, respected and given the opportunity to move forward.

That is the philosophy behind The Restoration Panel.

Our approach brings together lived experience, youth work, creative education, restorative practice and specialist professional knowledge to help us build a safe, understanding and supportive environment.

We recognise that no single person, discipline or approach has all the answers.

By drawing upon the experience of our core team, external specialists and community partners, we aim to respond to complex needs with compassion, care and appropriate professional guidance.

We look beyond labels. We listen before we judge. And we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to grow.

What Is the Restoration Panel?

The Restoration Panel is the name we use for the network of experience, professional expertise and specialist support that informs our work with young people and families.

It reflects our belief that positive change is most effective when people work together.

Our wider support network brings together three important elements:

1. Our Core Team

Youth practitioners, mentors and creative educators who build relationships with participants and deliver our day-to-day activities.

2. External Specialist Advisers

Professionals with expertise in areas such as trauma, counselling, emotional wellbeing and complex support needs, whose knowledge may inform appropriate support arrangements.

3. Our Community and Professional Partners

Organisations and services that can help connect individuals and families with additional opportunities, guidance and support.

Together, these elements contribute to an approach that considers the whole person, their experiences, their strengths and the environment around them.

The Restoration Panel is not a court, disciplinary tribunal or statutory safeguarding authority. It does not replace professional clinical assessments or decisions made by statutory services.

Its purpose is to strengthen the informed, compassionate and collaborative approach that underpins our work.

Built on Lived Experience

One of our greatest strengths is that our understanding does not come from textbooks alone.

Our team brings together people from different cultural backgrounds, beliefs, professions and personal experiences, united by a shared commitment to helping others.

Many understand first-hand the challenges of living with additional needs, mental health difficulties, adversity or feeling misunderstood by the systems around them.

That experience shapes the way we work.

It teaches us that behaviour can be a form of communication, that progress is not always straightforward and that trust cannot simply be demanded — it must be earned.

We recognise that people need different types of support at different stages of their lives.

Sometimes they need guidance.

Sometimes they need space.

Sometimes they need encouragement to try something new.

And sometimes they simply need someone who will listen without immediately judging or trying to change them.

Lived experience helps us understand the challenges. Professional knowledge helps us respond responsibly. Genuine relationships help create the conditions for change.

Our Core Team

The day-to-day work of The Underdog Crew is delivered by youth practitioners, mentors, creative educators and other members of our team.

Through workshops, filmmaking, mentoring, practical activities and community experiences, our team helps participants build confidence, communication skills, friendships and independence.

Our practice is informed by safeguarding, neurodiversity awareness, trauma-informed approaches and restorative principles.

We aim to ensure that relevant personnel receive safeguarding training and appropriate recruitment checks for their roles, including DBS checks where eligible and necessary.

Our team focuses on creating an environment where young people can:

• Feel comfortable expressing themselves.

• Explore their interests and talents.

• Build trusting relationships with supportive adults.

• Develop emotional awareness and communication skills.

• Learn through practical and creative experiences.

• Understand and navigate challenges.

• Celebrate achievements at their own pace.

• Develop confidence in their own abilities.

We recognise that a positive relationship can be the starting point for significant personal change.

Our role is to create the conditions where that relationship can develop safely and naturally.

Our External Specialist Network

Some situations require knowledge and experience beyond what a youth or creative programme can provide.

The original Restoration Panel document identifies a network of external professionals whose expertise can contribute to UCS’s approach to trauma, emotional wellbeing and complex needs.

Natalie Barker-Heard

Youth Counsellor | Trauma and Recovery

Natalie is identified in our original Restoration Panel as a youth counsellor specialising in rape, trauma and recovery.

This specialist area reflects the importance of approaching difficult experiences with sensitivity, compassion and an understanding of the lasting effects trauma can have on individuals.

Trauma-informed approaches recognise the importance of emotional safety, trust, choice and allowing individuals to communicate at their own pace.

Current advisory involvement and professional details to be confirmed before publication.

Amanda Hitchin

Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist | Colchester Children’s Counselling

Amanda is the founder and Clinical Director of Colchester Children’s Counselling.

Her professional background includes child and adolescent therapeutic practice, educational experience and supporting young people and families navigating emotional, behavioural and developmental challenges.

Her work incorporates psychodynamic approaches, with an emphasis on understanding the experiences and emotions that influence an individual’s wellbeing.

Amanda’s background is particularly relevant to the challenges faced by children and families seeking support that recognises the whole person.

Professional practice: Colchester Children’s Counselling

Website: https://www.colchesterchildrenscounselling.co.uk

Current relationship with UCS to be reconfirmed before publication.

Dr Mark Wheeler

Chartered Psychologist | Trauma and PTSD Specialist | iCARP

Dr Mark Wheeler is a chartered psychologist and co-founder of iCARP, an organisation researching and delivering nature-based approaches to supporting individuals affected by trauma and mental health difficulties.

His background includes clinical work with trauma and research into how supported outdoor experiences, social connection and group activities can contribute to psychological wellbeing.

His work demonstrates the potential importance of relationships, environment and meaningful participation in approaches to recovery.

This perspective connects with our belief that creative, practical and community-based experiences can play a valuable role in personal development and wellbeing.

Organisation: iCARP

Website: https://icarp.org.uk

Current advisory involvement with UCS to be reconfirmed before publication.

Our Approach to Restoration

For us, restoration is not about forcing people to behave, fit in or meet somebody else’s idea of success.

It is about understanding what has happened, recognising what support may be needed and helping create opportunities for positive change.

Our approach is informed by four principles.

Listen and Understand

We begin by recognising the individual’s experiences, wishes, needs and strengths.

We avoid assumptions based on behaviour, diagnoses, communication differences or past experiences.

We aim to create opportunities for individuals to feel heard and understood.

Build Safety and Trust

Trust is fundamental to meaningful support.

We work to provide consistent, respectful relationships and an environment where participants know what to expect and feel able to express themselves.

We recognise that some individuals may need additional time, communication support or reasonable adjustments to feel comfortable engaging.

Connect People With Appropriate Support

Where a person’s needs extend beyond our activities or expertise, we recognise the importance of appropriate advice, referral and collaboration.

With suitable permissions and safeguarding arrangements, this may involve parents, carers, professionals or other support organisations.

We do not assume that every challenge can or should be addressed within UCS alone.

Encourage Growth and Opportunity

We help individuals recognise their progress and explore opportunities through creativity, learning, participation and relationships.

Success may mean developing greater confidence, building a friendship, improving communication, learning a new skill or feeling ready to explore a new environment.

Every meaningful step forward matters.

Restorative Practice, Not Punishment

Our approach is informed by restorative principles that prioritise understanding, accountability, relationships and the possibility of repairing harm.

When difficulties or disagreements arise, we aim to respond with sensitivity to the circumstances and needs of the individuals involved.

Where appropriate and safe, a restorative approach may help people consider what happened, how others were affected and what may be needed to move forward.

Restorative conversations are not intended to shame individuals, force apologies or dismiss legitimate concerns.

Participation in a formal restorative process should be voluntary and supported by appropriate safeguards.

Restorative practice must never be used to replace necessary safeguarding action or to pressure someone into meeting a person who has caused them harm.

Where abuse, exploitation or serious safeguarding concerns are identified, our Safeguarding Policy and relevant statutory reporting procedures take priority.

Neurodiversity and Individual Understanding

We recognise that neurodivergent individuals may experience the world, communicate emotions and respond to situations differently.

For some, traditional approaches to behaviour management, education or communication may be ineffective or distressing.

Our approach aims to understand these differences rather than treat them as problems to eliminate.

We consider how sensory needs, communication preferences, environmental factors, emotional wellbeing and previous experiences may influence participation.

We believe reasonable adjustments, accessible communication and individual understanding are essential to meaningful inclusion.

We aim to support individuals without asking them to abandon the characteristics that make them who they are.

Being understood should not depend on being able to explain yourself in the way someone else expects.

Working With Other Organisations

Strong communities are built through collaboration.

Our original Restoration Panel document identifies relationships with organisations across Essex and beyond, reflecting our commitment to connecting young people and families with wider support and opportunities.

These organisations include:

• Essex Youth Service — Youth engagement and opportunities for young people.

• Lads Need Dads CIC — Mentoring and support for boys and young men.

• Action for Family Carers — Information and support for unpaid carers and young carers.

• Boys and Men CIC — Community-based support focused on boys and men.

• Inclusion Ventures — Inclusive activities and opportunities for young people.

These relationships represent the value of working beyond organisational boundaries.

We believe that different organisations can contribute different strengths, experiences and resources.

Where collaboration is appropriate, our aim is to help individuals and families identify opportunities and access support that may be beneficial to them.

Any specific referral, professional involvement or sharing of personal information must follow appropriate consent, safeguarding and data protection arrangements.

The current status and nature of these partnerships should be confirmed before publication.

Safeguarding and Professional Responsibility

Compassion and understanding must always be supported by clear professional boundaries and safeguarding responsibilities.

We recognise that working with young people and individuals experiencing difficulties carries significant responsibilities.

Our Safeguarding Policy establishes procedures for identifying, recording, reporting and responding to safeguarding concerns.

The Restoration Panel does not replace those procedures.

Where a child or adult is at risk of harm, appropriate safeguarding action must take priority.

We also recognise the distinction between community support, youth work, counselling and clinical treatment.

Participation in an Underdog Crew programme does not automatically include counselling, clinical assessment or therapy.

Any specialist services must be provided or arranged by appropriately qualified professionals under suitable arrangements.

Our commitment is to understand the boundaries of our expertise and seek appropriate additional support when necessary.

More Than Qualifications

Professional experience matters.

Training, safeguarding knowledge, therapeutic expertise and specialist skills are essential to responsible practice.

But we also believe that genuine compassion, cultural understanding and lived experience have an important place in creating meaningful relationships.

The original Restoration Panel document describes a team with more than 100 years of combined experience across youth work, creative education, mental health support and safeguarding.

What matters most to us, however, is how that experience is used.

We want it to translate into better listening, safer environments, stronger relationships and opportunities that make a genuine difference to people’s lives.

We want every participant to be treated as an individual, not a number or a collection of difficulties.

And we want families to feel that their experiences have been heard and their concerns taken seriously.

Our Commitment to Every Young Person

We cannot promise that every challenge will disappear or that there is one approach that works for everyone.

But we can commit to approaching every individual with respect.

To listen before making assumptions.

To recognise strengths alongside support needs.

To seek appropriate professional advice when situations require it.

To work with families and wider support networks where appropriate.

And to keep creating opportunities for young people to build confidence, relationships and a sense of belonging.

Because restoration is not about changing who someone is. It is about helping them find the support, understanding and opportunities they need to move forward.

Speak to Our Team

If you would like to learn more about our approach, discuss a young person’s participation in our activities or enquire about the support and opportunities available through UCS, we would welcome hearing from you.

General enquiries: hello@underdogcrew.org

Safeguarding concerns: safeguarding@underdogcrew.org

Website: https://www.underdogcrew.org

The Underdog Crew is not an emergency response or clinical crisis service. Immediate danger should be reported to the appropriate emergency services.

The Underdog Crew CIC

Empowering. Supporting. Nurturing. Changing Lives.

Healing through compassion, empathy and lived experience.