About Kaizen Youth Empowerment
Giving young minds the life skills they deserve
Who We Are
Kaizen Youth Empowerment is a dynamic Scottish charity dedicated to nurturing and empowering the potential of young individuals. Through innovative leadership programmes and youth impact coaching workshops, we empower youths to thrive, equipping them with essential skills, mentorship, and opportunities for growth.
Our programmes develop essential life skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, fostering self-esteem and confidence through positive reinforcement and achievements. By providing access to mentors and positive role models, young people gain guidance and inspiration, opening pathways to education and employment.
Our Name
Kaizen is a Japanese term that translates to "change for the better" or "continuous improvement." It combines two words: "kai," meaning change, and "zen," meaning good or better.
Kaizen emphasizes making small, incremental changes that, over time, lead to significant improvements. It encourages everyone to be involved in suggesting and implementing positive changes. In the context of youth empowerment, Kaizen represents the idea that consistent small steps towards self-improvement can lead to transformative long-term growth and success.
Guided by the philosophy of "kaizen," we believe in continuous improvement and resilience-building, enabling young people to overcome challenges and make a positive impact in their communities.
The Kaizen Youth Empowerment Team
Meet Derek Gall, CEO & Founder
Our programmes are led by our CEO Derek Gall.
Founder of Kaizen Youth Empowerment. With over 25 years of experience in personal development, Derek brings unparalleled expertise to the educational sector. His background includes senior management roles at the National Autistic Society, the Princess Royal Trust for Carers, and CANI Coaching. As an accredited Youth Impact Life Coach and the only licensed Goal Mapping coach in Scotland, Derek has successfully led more than 300 leadership programmes across the UK. His speciality lies in tailoring interventions for diverse audiences, from corporate executives to young people from underprivileged backgrounds. Derek's clinical hypnotherapy practice enhances his coaching, offering a robust toolkit for addressing issues like past trauma and self-limiting fears.
Val McBlain – Trustee
As a passionate trustee for Kaizen Youth Empowerment, I bring a unique blend of administrative expertise, volunteer experience, and a deep personal commitment to the wellbeing and growth of young people. My professional background lies primarily in secretarial and administrative roles, where I have provided vital support across legal and healthcare settings. Through these roles, I have honed my skills in organisation, communication, and problem-solving—qualities that I now apply to the strategic and operational oversight of this charity.
Beyond my administrative career, I have always felt a strong calling to work directly with young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. This passion led me to volunteer within youth clubs and projects, where I witnessed first-hand the transformative power of providing young people with safe, supportive environments. One of the most fulfilling experiences of my life was leading two international youth exchanges. These exchanges, which involved groups of young people aged 15-17 from deprived areas in Ayrshire and Glasgow, offered participants the chance to explore new cultures, build resilience, and develop leadership skills. I saw how exposure to different experiences and the encouragement to push boundaries can ignite ambition and inspire young people to overcome the challenges they face in their daily lives.
In addition to my work in youth projects, I have a deep and abiding interest in holistic therapies, particularly reflexology and massage. I firmly believe in the power of these therapies to promote relaxation, improve wellbeing, and reduce stress—key components in nurturing mental and emotional health. My knowledge in this area has proven invaluable when working with young people, many of whom experience high levels of anxiety and stress due to the pressures of their personal and academic lives. I advocate for the inclusion of wellness practices in youth development programs as a way of helping young people manage stress, develop coping strategies, and cultivate a greater sense of self-awareness and balance.
As a trustee, I am deeply committed to ensuring that the charity creates opportunities for young people to thrive, regardless of their background. I believe that empowering the next generation is not just about providing services or programs but about fostering environments where they feel seen, heard, and valued. I am passionate about supporting initiatives that focus on holistic development—building not only practical skills but also emotional resilience and mental wellbeing.
I am excited to bring my diverse experiences—both professional and personal—to the table as a trustee. I look forward to working alongside a dedicated team to continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of young people, helping them to realize their potential and build brighter futures.
Gerry Stokes – Trustee
Hello, my name is Gerry Stokes, and I am honoured to serve as a trustee for The Kaizen Youth Empowerment Team. My journey in social work spans over 25 years, during which I have had the privilege of working across a broad spectrum of Children’s Services, from Homeless Accommodation and Child Protection to Initial Assessments, Looked After Children, and Criminal Justice. This extensive experience has allowed me to engage with families facing a wide array of complex challenges, including mental health struggles, problematic substance use, behavioural difficulties, and experiences of abuse and neglect. Throughout my career, I have worked with individuals who often present with aggressive behaviours and self-harm tendencies, helping them to navigate through the most difficult periods of their lives.
My professional background is underpinned by a strong foundation in risk assessment, case management, and planning, particularly in the context of criminal justice and working with young offenders. I have undertaken specialized training in areas such as the Level of Service/Case Management Inventory Risk Assessment, Asset for Young Offenders, and Joint Investigative Interviewing of Child Witnesses in Scotland. Additionally, I hold postgraduate qualifications in Trauma-Informed Practice, Child Protection, and Counselling, ensuring that I approach my work from a deeply informed and compassionate perspective. My expertise in interventions such as SAVRY and START AV allows me to assess and mitigate risks while helping young people to overcome the challenges they face, building a brighter and more hopeful future.
Beyond my professional roles, I am deeply passionate about volunteer work, which has significantly shaped my understanding of social issues and my approach to social work. For three years, I volunteered with the Samaritans, an experience that profoundly influenced my career trajectory. The organisation’s commitment to providing confidential, non-judgemental, and unconditional support to individuals in crisis—those experiencing loneliness, depression, or suicidal thoughts—opened my eyes to the power of listening and empathy. The values and principles I absorbed during my time with the Samaritans have remained central to my practice, particularly when working with vulnerable young people and their families.
As a trustee of The Kaizen Youth Empowerment Team, I am excited to contribute to a cause that aligns so closely with my lifelong passion for supporting and empowering young people. I am a firm believer in the importance of trauma-informed approaches and holistic care in working with youth, especially those facing significant challenges in their lives. By addressing not only the immediate needs of young people but also the underlying factors that contribute to their circumstances, we can make a lasting impact on their future prospects and overall wellbeing.
My goal as a trustee is to ensure that The Kaizen Youth Empowerment Team continues to provide meaningful, compassionate, and effective support to the young people we serve. I am committed to helping the charity build on its strengths, develop new programs that respond to emerging needs, and continue to be a beacon of hope for those who need it most. Together, we can create a future where every young person, no matter their background or challenges, has the opportunity to thrive.
Russel Cowan – Trustee
My name is Russell Cowan, and I am delighted to serve as a trustee for The Kaizen Youth Empowerment Team. As a qualified Chartered Accountant with over 20 years of experience in general practice, I bring a deep understanding of financial management, taxation, payroll, and VAT to my role. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to work closely with a wide range of clients, helping them navigate the complexities of finance and supporting them in making sound financial decisions. My office in Cumnock has allowed me to build strong ties to the local community, and I am proud to contribute my skills to organizations that are dedicated to creating positive change.
One of my passions is supporting the financial operations and governance of charitable organizations. I am actively involved with over eight different charities in the Cumnock area and beyond, providing guidance on everything from financial oversight to strategic planning. My involvement with these charities has given me a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities that non-profit organizations face, and I am committed to helping them succeed by ensuring their financial health and sustainability.
For more than a decade, I served on the board of directors for the Cumnock & District Leisure Group, which operates the local swimming pool. During my time on the board, I worked closely with the team to ensure the facility remained a vital resource for the community. This experience reinforced my belief in the importance of strong governance and financial stewardship in ensuring the success of charitable ventures. Although I recently retired from this role, I am eager to bring the same level of dedication and enthusiasm to The Kaizen Youth Empowerment Team.
I am excited about this new chapter and the opportunity to contribute to a project that has such a meaningful impact on the lives of young people. Empowering youth is crucial to building strong, resilient communities, and I firmly believe that providing them with the support, resources, and opportunities they need to thrive will have lasting benefits for the wider community. I am particularly keen to ensure that The Kaizen Youth Empowerment Team continues to operate efficiently and sustainably, allowing it to focus on its mission of transforming young lives.
As a trustee, my goal is to help the organization maintain a solid financial foundation, while also looking for new opportunities to grow and expand its reach. I believe that by applying sound financial principles, we can maximize the impact of every resource and ensure that the charity is well-positioned to meet the needs of the young people we serve. I am excited to work alongside a passionate and dedicated team to make a real difference in the local community and beyond.
Jay Taylor – Trustee
Hi, I’m Jay and I’m incredibly proud to be a trustee of Kaizen Youth Empowerment. I support Derek and the Kaizen team with marketing and the communication of the charity’s mission. I believe that Kaizen is doing vital work for the lives of young people and, also, to the wider community - both now and in the future.
I have been working in marketing, branding and business support for over 8 years and am a qualified marketing consultant with the CIM. I live and work in Glasgow where I support the clients of two businesses.
My aim is to help Kaizen Youth Empowerment grow its reach so we can support and empower as many young people through the important but often difficult years in their lives. Youth empowerment is a cause that is incredibly important to me. When I was at school in 2010, I remember a hugely impactful workshop that I attended which, to this day, helps me deal with the stresses and strains of my life. Building resilience, coping with the strains of home and school life, and feeling confident, whilst being able to thrive at school are all things young people deserve.
Our Mission
At Kaizen Youth Empowerment, we strive to provide young people with the tools and support they need to thrive and contribute positively to society.
Everything we provide and everything we do works to:
Develop essential life skills in young people
Foster self-esteem and confidence
Provide access to mentors and positive role models
Reduce antisocial behaviour and promote healthier lifestyles
Encourage community engagement and expand social networks
Cultivate leadership qualities for community impact
Improve educational outcomes and raise aspirations
Our Work
Kaizen Youth Empowerment offers a range of youth impact coaching and leadership programmes for anyone involved in the lives of young people.
Our initiatives have proven to make an enormous contribution to improving confidence, self-worth, resilience, and raising aspirations.
Our approach includes:
1-on-1 coaching and dynamic group empowerment programmes
Goal Mapping expertise to transform educational outcomes
Integration of various therapeutic modalities for holistic personal empowerment
Tailored interventions for diverse audiences
Motivational keynote speeches to inspire actionable change
Through our work, we've impacted over 10,000 individuals across 15 Local Authorities in Scotland. We collaborate with educational leaders to enhance leadership capabilities, improve student engagement, and drive significant improvements in educational attainment and well-being.
Our Address
Kaizen Youth Empowerment is a registered SCIO in East Ayrshire, Scotland. Registered charity from 6th February 2024.
Our charity registration number is SC053105.
1 Sullivan Way
Holmhead
Cumnock
KA18 1UH
While based in East Ayrshire, we serve the whole of Scotland and the wider UK in pursuit of our mission to provide young people with the tools and support they need to thrive and contribute positively to their community.