Aylssa is originally from Newcastle upon Tyne, UK and has been living in South East Asia for the past 6 years. She previously lived in the Marshall Islands (2010-2011).

Graduating from Durham University in 2003 Aylssa has worked in centre-based youth work, as a detached worker, in outdoor education, community development, as a specialist sex and relationships education worker, in advice and information / crisis management, and, since 2014, as a international school counsellor.

Alongside working with young people, she has trained other professionals for the past 15 years in areas specific to young peoples lives from drugs and alcohol to mental health to sex & relationships. Please see Training page for more information.

She holds a BA (Hons) Community & Youth Work, MA International Politics (Global Justice & Ethics) and Masters of Education (Guidance & Counselling).

She was Editor of the youth work journal Youth & Policy between 2005 – 2010.