Harrison Nash, BEM BCA

Harrison Dax Nash went to school at Devonport High School for Boys in Plymouth, England. After working within entertainment marketing in London, he commenced a volunteer trip abroad to the Maranatha NPO in South Africa in 2007 where he was primarily working with children in residential care and also teaching in township schools. The visit was life changing for him and inspired him to study social work in the UK whilst continuing involvement with Maranatha during visits to South Africa throughout his studies.

In 2009 he also set up the Maranatha Care Children charity in the UK which he continues to run to raise much needed funds to assist with youth development through his work at Maranatha in Port Elizabeth/Gqeberha, South Africa (Eastern Cape). He is also involved with a rural community work project in terms of family preservation.

On completion of his studies at the University of Plymouth he relocated to South Africa and took up a role of Programme Manager and Social Work Supervisor where he ensured the children received the services they need. He also provided counselling and play therapy. He was part of the management team for a period of 13 years. 

He received a British Citizen Award (BCA) in 2016 and was named in the Queens Honours 2020 list with a British Empire Medal (BEM). He is an honorary social work lecturer at the University of Plymouth and in 2025 was named as the inaugural winner of the Alumni Awards Lifetime Achievement category.

Amongst the media appearances he has made, he has been featured on BBC Spotlight in the UK, The Hope Files (YouTube Series) along with BBC Radio Devon, Plymouth Herald (UK), Algoa FM, PEFM, Kingfisher FM, Agape FM and with articles in The Herald, Die Burger and PE Express (South Africa). 

Social Work England Registration: SW3250

South African Council for Social Service Professions Registration: 5019562

National Association of Child Care Workers (South Africa) - Regional Executive Committee 

Maranatha Streetworkers Trust (South Africa) - NPO Committee

Protea Primary School (South Africa) - School Governing Body (Treasurer)

Qualifications:

Harrison Dax Nash obtained his BSc Hons Degree in Social Work from University of Plymouth in 2011 

Post-Degree Training & Workshops Include:

Supervision Skills for Child Protection, Response Ability Pathways for children and youth at risk, Centre for Play Therapy and Training - Advance Course (Gestalt Play Therapy), The Therapeutic Use of Daily Life Events, Protective Behaviours Training (children & teenagers), A Practical Approach To Play Therapy Course, Social Work Supervision Training,  Understanding the Children’s Act and the New Amendments (South Africa) and Workshop on Child Exploitation and the Trafficking in Persons Act in South Africa

He is an experienced facilitator of various accreddited training programs 

Published Work:

Chapter: "A Literature Review of Bulimia on the Male Gender and Implication for Clinicians" in "Current Findings on Males with Eating Disorders" (Routledge, 2014)                

National Association of Child & Youth Care Work South Africa – International Conference Presentation: ‘A Child & Youth Care Centre Independent Living Programme’ (NACCW, 2021)

Media Links:

BBC Spotlight Interview - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74QlEHHZWCo 

The Hope Files Episode - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Km784Wv7Gk8&t=78s

Plymouth Herald Article (Plymouth Live) -https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/real-life/incredible-plymouth-man-humbled-after-10123176