Meet Our Team
Our small, yet dedicated team take pride in our ability to build strong, lasting relationships with children and young people, their families and their schools.
Tim Wakefield
CEO & Founder
Tim has worked in education for over twenty years, working with all age groups from primary to adult learners. Founding The Switch Project in 2007, he has seen it become Wolverhampton’s most successful independent support service for pupils, families and schools, becoming Switch Midlands CIC in 2021.
He is a National Specialist Leader in Behaviour and Attendance, a graduate from the School of Social Entrepreneurs and holds post-graduate qualifications in Understanding Social, Emotional and Mental Health Difficulties, Educational Leadership, Community Participatory Arts, Coaching & Mentoring and Strategic Leadership. Tim also coaches participants on the national school based Senior Mental Health Leads programme and is Chair of Governors for a Wolverhampton Primary School.
Alicia Dinham-Mears
Switch Coach
Alicia graduated from The University of Wolverhampton with a BA (Hons) in Childhood and Family Studies and Social Policy, followed by a Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) in Primary Education. Alicia is passionate about helping and supporting children and young people in education. During her studies, Alicia has been able to build positive relationships and respect with pupils, ensuring that she fosters an excellent environment for learning and development to take place. Alicia is also trained in Mental Health First Aid and Emotion Coaching.
Caroline Erskine-Murphy
Quality and Programmes Manager
Added: Caroline is an independent adviser specialising in Education, Skills and Learning. Her particular expertise is in secondary provision with learners who may not be reaching their full potential. Caroline works regularly with Switch Midlands to help them keep up to date with policy developments, ensure quality of delivery and create partnerships.
Christian Esson
Senior Switch Coach
Christian is a CMI qualified coach and mentor, with almost 15 years experience in supporting children and young people in environments such as schools, alternative provisions and care settings. He uses his interpersonal skills and extensive training to bring out the very best in children and young people, achieving this through building positive relationships that help them realise their full potential. He is trained in Mental Health First Aid, Restorative Practice and Emotion Coaching.
Abbie Jeffries
Switch Coach
Abbie is both a primary and secondary teacher with experience across a number of settings. Abbie is passionate about working with children and young people and helping to support their social and emotional learning in schools.
Meet Our Trustees
Gill Beddow
Gill Beddow is the highly respected retired Headteacher of Dovecotes Primary School in Wolverhampton. She has been at the forefront of education in the City for over 40 years, successfully leading and developing the school for 20 of those. Consistently achieving ‘Good’ in Ofsted inspections, Gill was also awarded the prestigious national BT Award for Outstanding School Leadership in 2002. Her guidance and support in ensuring that Switch Midlands always meets the needs of pupils, families and schools in the local community and beyond is vital to our continued success.
Mat Winzor
Mat is the Deputy Headteacher at Aldersley High secondary school in Wolverhampton.