MEET THE
TEAM
#stopviolence
Natalie Baker-Napier
Head of the VRP
Natalie joined policing in 2009 and has worked across a number of areas, developing strategy, policy and governance at a local, regional and national level.
Natalie was instrumental in designing and implementing the multi agency, public health approach to violence reduction in Nottinghamshire in 2019 and was appointed Head of the VRP in July 2021.
Natalie lives in Nottinghamshire with her husband, son and black Labrador.
Rich Bacon
Programme Manager
Rich joined the VRP in August 2022 after 20 years' experience of working with and supporting Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) organisations across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
Within the VRP Rich provides strategic oversight, implementation and day to day management of the programme of the Home Office funded programmes. This includes the co-ordination of projects delivered with our VCS and system wide partners to support individuals and communities impacted by serious violence. As such I may be seen frequently frowning at a spreadsheet or two.
Outside work I love to travel and since the pandemic I have been researching my family tree, discovering long ago ancestors in Mansfield, Sutton, Oxton, East Leake, Greasley, Gedling and Hucknall.
Danielle Riley
Project Manager
Danielle joined the Violence Reduction Partnership in April 2026, having worked across the third sector for several years.
Her background includes supporting children and young people affected by domestic abuse and homelessness, as well as leading systems change work to address child exploitation. She has also developed youth voice initiatives and managed a child exploitation awareness campaign, ensuring young people's experiences help shape services and prevention efforts.
In her current role, Danielle manages place-based projects and oversees contracts funded through the Late Night Levy, working with partners to deliver initiatives that support safer communities.
Drawing on her experience in contextual safeguarding and exploitation, she is passionate about developing preventative approaches that address the wider factors influencing young people's safety and wellbeing.
Outside of work, Danielle enjoys travelling, experiencing new cultures (and trying all the local food!) Having spent several years working on a community project in Northern Thailand, she developed a strong belief in the importance of community-led approaches and building meaningful relationships to create lasting change.
Ryan Lowe
Interim Project Support Officer
Ryan Lowe is the Interim Project Support Officer within the Nottinghamshire Violence Reduction Partnership (VRP), where he supports project delivery, governance, performance monitoring and partnership working across a range of commissioned services.
He works closely with colleagues, providers and partner organisations to help coordinate activity, maintain effective reporting arrangements and support programmes that aim to reduce violence and improve outcomes for communities.
Ryan joined the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner as a Business Support Assistant and has since taken on interim Project Support Officer responsibilities within the VRP.
Prior to joining the OPCC, he worked as a High-Risk Domestic Abuse Police Staff Investigator with Nottinghamshire Police. Throughout these roles, he has developed experience in partnership working, stakeholder engagement, governance, problem-solving and supporting individuals and communities facing complex challenges.
Through his experience across policing, criminal justice and project support environments, Ryan has developed a strong interest in collaboration, continuous improvement and supporting organisations to deliver positive outcomes.
He is passionate about contributing to initiatives that make a meaningful difference to people and communities across Nottinghamshire.
Tracy Jordan
VRP 'Another Way' Project Manager
Tracy has 25 years of experience in policing, working in various roles, including response, neighbourhood policing across the city of Nottingham and Custody.
She has collaborated with partners and the community and implemented a problem-solving approach to tackling knife crime, gangs and ASB. She was the lead for children and young people in custody and developed projects and procedures, providing intervention and targeted support for juveniles and the vulnerable.
Tracy is also a swimming instructor, teaching a life skill to children ranging from three to 16-years-old and coaching complete beginners life-saving CPR and first aid.
Tracy loves working with children and young people and enjoys partnership work and engagement.
Sade Thomas
Community Engagement Officer
Sade's role is all about making sure that the voices of communities and young people are at the heart of everything the Violence Reduction Partnership does.
Whether it's commissioning new projects, designing programmes, or evaluating existing work, she is passionate about ensuring that the people most affected by these issues have a genuine opportunity to influence and shape the solutions.
A strong advocate for meaningful engagement, Sade works closely with a diverse range of stakeholders, including young people, community leaders, local organisations, and residents. She believes that the best ideas come from listening to people with lived experience and creating spaces where everyone feels empowered to share their views.
Sade manages the Community Ambassadors Scheme, the Partnership's voluntary ambassador programme, and is also a key point of contact for communications and engagement activities. A particular focus of work is around co-production; working alongside communities and partners to design initiatives that create safer, healthier, and more positive futures for young people.
Outside of work, Sade is a creative at heart. She has a real love for music and enjoys writing songs, singing, and finding new ways to express herself through creativity. She's always keen to connect with people, hear their stories, and champion the incredible work happening within local communities.
Carly McKinney
Education Project Officer
Carly joined the VRP in December 2022 with more than 14 years' experience of working with children, young people and families within Nottinghamshire including specialising in neurodevelopment and neurodevelopment assessments of children and young people.
Carly’s role within the VRP includes:
-
Project Management of OPCC/VRP education funded interventions including Therapeutic Counselling, Education Mentor Pathway, Healthy Relationships and Education VAWG Prevention.
-
Project Management of the Home Office mandated Young Futures (Aspley) and Young Futures (Mansfield).
-
Partnership working to support the identification of system change led work linked to education including leading the partnership development of the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Knives and Weapons Guidance and Resources for Education.
Carly lives in Nottinghamshire with her two children and when not working enjoys trying new restaurants and reading contemporary fiction books.