“I had the privilege of working with Lee on several occasions working in a mainstream education setting where she delivered a series of workshops on sexual health and substance misuse to secondary school age pupils as well as in an alternative provision centre for excluded pupils. Something I respect in Lee is her ability to tailor material specifically - to suit a variety of learning abilities and to make it both accessible and appropriate to age.

Aside from her capability of creating and planning relevant resources and material, Lee must be commended for her personal qualities of empathy and absolute sensitivity. Lee is able to display sympathy without condescension, constructively providing support and accessing external agencies when the necessity calls. Lee's real strength lies in her ability to build relationships with the young people and adults with whom she works quickly and effectively. This singular skill is one which enables her to work efficiently and creates a culture of openness and honesty. Working in an environment where youth workers are often reaching out to some of the most marginalised and vulnerable young people in society, this is a highly respectable skill. At all times Lee is approachable and amicable but above all, she is consistently professional and always works within bespoke frameworks, continuing to update on safeguarding and child protection policies and laws.

During her time running a sexual health and relationships project for young carers, I witnessed first-hand the difference Lee made to the life of a pupil I was teaching. It is no exaggeration that Lee altered the course of that young person's life for the better through her ability to connect with individuals and treat them as such, she was able to recognise the various issues that affected that young person in that circumstance. Lee invested her own time and expertise to go above and beyond to make a positive difference.

I believe that youth work and supporting youth practitioners is Lee's true vocation. It has been an absolute pleasure to watch her in her field over the years and I cannot recommend her highly enough.

Anna-Marie Carroll (Secondary School Educator & Academic)

I was good in my field back in the day, but many were better. Then there are a small number of the all time greats, where it comes to the youth sector... Premier League. Lee is one of the very best there is.

A true critical thinker, principled, towering experience, high performing, big shouldered, tenacious, really good fun to work with, champions others, cares deeply, wise, massively determined, strategic, manages and leads with mastery, honest, technical and relatable. I could wax lyrical till sundown and beyond, on her talents.

Not the usual shout out cos she's not a normal professional. Contact her, talk to her, and find out for yourself why I rate her as one of the youth sector greats. It’ll be well worth your time.

Andy Morris Senior Qualified Youth Worker and Employability Manager at De Montfort University

Lee has provided outstanding consultancy support, and her contribution has been genuinely invaluable. She has a great way of really listening and understanding the challenges at hand, then offering thoughtful insight alongside practical, solutions-focused guidance. This has helped us navigate some fairly complex situations with much more clarity and confidence.

Over the time we’ve worked together, Lee has supported both our strategic thinking and wider organisational development. She played a key role in guiding us through the quality mark process, creating space for honest reflection while helping us to strengthen and improve our standards of service delivery in a way that feels both meaningful and sustainable. She brings the right balance of support and challenge, which has been key to embedding real change.

Alongside this, Lee has delivered vital sector training that has had a direct impact on the quality of our work with young people. She’s particularly strong at bringing learning to life in a way that feels relevant and grounded, which has supported the upskilling of the wider youth sector and left a lasting impact beyond her immediate role.

Lee works with authenticity, professionalism, and care. She builds trust quickly, meets people where they are, and supports development with both credibility and integrity. Her depth of sector knowledge and lived experience really sets her apart, particularly within youth-focused environments.

I would highly recommend Lee to any organisation looking for high-quality consultancy that delivers both immediate impact and longer-term value”

Charline King MBE (Head of Youth Services at Rathbone)

“Working with Lee during my youth and community work placement has been a truly positive experience. She is an incredibly supportive and attentive supervisor who is genuinely invested in my development.

Her advice is always thoughtful and practical, helping me grow in both confidence and practice. Lee creates a safe, encouraging environment where I feel comfortable reflecting, asking questions, and pushing myself further.

I feel very fortunate to have had her support, she has made a lasting impact on my journey in this field.”

Jess Youth & Community Work Student (supervised by Lee 2025 - 2026)

“I have had the pleasure of working with Lee Ritchie in the youth sector for over twenty years. During that time I have watched her design and deliver quality projects for young people that support them to realise their full potential. Back in 2004, Lee and I worked closely together on a Coventry City Council funded media arts project called Media Mania. Many years later I set this project up as a separate company and in recent years Lee has supported the strategic development of our youth organisation which has been invaluable to the company and the young people in Coventry.”

David Mills (Director of youth arts organisation Media Mania)

Quite frankly, Lee Ritchie is exceptional. I’ve known Lee for years, and there is no one else I would rather have in my corner when it comes to working with children and young people. She guided my charity through the London Youth Bronze Award, turning what could have been a long and stressful process into one that felt clear, manageable, and genuinely supportive. Lee was always available to answer our many questions; nothing was ever too much trouble. She is a highly skilled trainer who truly knows her craft, not just in theory, but through real, lived experience. Her knowledge is practical, grounded, and honed by years of doing the work.

I would recommend Lee without hesitation to any organisation that supports young people, delivers training, or needs someone with deep expertise in processes, frameworks, and schemes of work. She is a true all-rounder, bringing insight, professionalism, and humanity to everything she does.

Tony Dallas, CEO and Founder of Success Club

“It was a pleasure to have Lee in as a guest lecturer to share her ideas, experience and energy with our students of Youth and Community Work and Sociology. Lee's industry insight coupled with an effective delivery style that encouraged student participation ensured that they benefitted from thoughtful and meaningful guest lectures and that they left with valuable reflections that will continue to shape and inform their ideas well into the future. Thanks Lee - we hope to have you back again!”

 Alasdair McCarrick – Birmingham University Youth and Community Work Lecturer

“I feel incredibly fortunate to have had Lee as my manager. She has been such an inspiring and supportive presence throughout my journey, especially while supervising me for my Level 3 qualification in Youth Work. Her guidance has not only helped me with the qualification but has also shaped the way I understand and approach youth work in practice. I have learned so much from her, from building meaningful relationships with young people, to understanding professional boundaries, safeguarding, reflective practice, and the importance of creating inclusive, empowering spaces. She leads by example, modelling professionalism, compassion, and integrity in everything she does.

What truly sets her apart is her warmth and approachability. She creates a safe environment where I have felt comfortable asking questions, reflecting honestly, and developing my confidence. At the same time, she trusts her team and allows space for independent work, encouraging initiative and creativity. That balance of support and autonomy has helped me grow as a professional. Her knowledge and experience in youth work are extensive, yet she shares them in a way that feels empowering rather than directive. She listens, values different perspectives, and consistently champions the development of others. She has been an amazing manager and mentor, and I am genuinely grateful for the opportunity to learn from her. 

Merima Muhic Member Engagement manager (line managed and supervised by Lee at London Youth)