We have made a difference to many people over the years with a consistently high client satisfaction record. Lives have been changed through counselling, so why not make a difference to your life by talking to us?

Stephen has been a Board Member at Talkmatters since 2016, and has been Chairman for the last five years. 

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Prior to officially retiring, he worked for Marie Curie (Head of Performance Improvement for Fundraising), Children 1st (Performance Improvement Manager), and The Department for Work and Pensions (Lean Expert and Business Improvement Lead).

 

He continues to develop software solutions for Charities. 

Mike joined our Board in March 2020 and became Treasurer in November of the same year. Prior to working with Talkmatters, Mike worked a 20+ year career in the hospitality industry that saw him live in New England, Brisbane, and in the Languedoc, as well as several different UK cities.

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Latterly he co-owned a London restaurant-bar-nightclub, before being called to train for ministry in the Church of Scotland.

 

He currently serves as senior pastor at Gillespie Memorial Church in Dunfermline. 

Judith has been a Trustee with Talkmatters since March 2024. She has worked in commercial sales for over 20 years and for over 10 years has worked in strategic support roles delivering continuous improvement and being the driving force of exceptional performance in competitive markets.

 

Judith is heavily involved in Diversity & Inclusion at work, helping to create an environment where everyone can be themselves and can build relationships that allow support in stressful times. 

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Judith has 2 daughters that she is extremely proud of and now they are grown she spends her spare time travelling with her husband Stephen, enjoying trips all over the world as well as taking their touring caravan to beautiful places in Scotland and France. She also enjoys keeping active and looking after her own wellbeing.  

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This is Judith's first trustee role, and she is excited to use her expertise to help Talk Matters to continue to support those who need it most.  

Karen joined the Board of Trustees in 2019. Her experience spans study and employment in a number of sectors of the economy, in the UK and abroad.

 

Karen works as a teacher of additional support, taking responsibility for inclusion of young people and their families. She enjoys working with children and young people aged 3 to 18 years. Karen is also in private practice as a therapist working with adults. She has corporate experience as tutor in counselling and psychotherapy at The University of Edinburgh. 

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Karen sees Trusteeship with Talkmatters as being aligned with her love of psychology and her advocacy for inclusion. Karen feels satisfied that Talkmatters offers therapy to many who might otherwise be unable to access counselling. 

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Karen is currently trying to teach herself to juggle (literally)!

Lesley’s work life is very varied and she has learned from every job she has had. Lesley was previously a Samaritan, a befriender with Children 1st, and a mentor with MCR Pathways. She works with adults and young people. She spent 17 years in an IT role as a database administrator, trainer, and in helpdesk implementation and management, serving staff in Denmark, Germany, Holland, France, England and Scotland.

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Lesley started with Talkmatters as a student counsellor. She was supported and inspired by the ethics and ethos and culture of Talkmatters, where everyone is heard and supported.

 

She qualified as a Person Centred Counsellor and has been with Talkmatters since 2009. She is also a Clinical Supervisor, and a Trustee on the board. Her approach is to see and hear everything with curiosity and an open mind and heart.