MEET THE TEAM

My passion in life is to support and inspire women and girls of all ages throughout the mothering journey. As a trained counsellor who has needed counselling myself in the past, I talk openly about my own struggles having suffered an ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage. In my experience, we have been repeatedly failed by inadequate and disjointed services so my goal is to ensure that the voices of women will finally be heard in the mental health system. Women and girls with complex mental health problems, especially those who have suffered abuse and violence, are in need of specialist support and this cannot be purely clinical. This is why I set up my charity Motherwell which offers community-based projects for vulnerable mothers – giving them access to a support network and bridges the gap in services for women’s wellbeing across Cheshire. My charity is run by women for women and is open to all mothers, whatever their stage in life. I’m a strong believer that information empowers people and I work hard to drive forward change so that our voices are heard.

I am a mum of 3 children 1 daughter and 2 boys, I have been with my partner 23 years. I am passionate about the towns that our charity works in and like to feel that we play a part in the being the heart of the community. 

I love reading, hence my reading section on my website. Since 2018 I have been open water swimming and love it, it has really helped my own mental health. 

My other passion is talking, I love finding out about people, their stories fascinate me, hence my podcast and you tube channel.

I would love to hear from you if you feel we can work together in anyway, please do get in touch.

What I do:

• Champion women and girls locally, by promotion on my social media platforms and local events 
• Promote all aspects of mental health that impact women and girls by offering a full range of training
• Promote equality for women and girls by taking part in local and national groups and blogging about the impact
• Continue to develop myself to offer a therapeutic safe space for all my clients

My name is Abbi and I’m one of the counsellors here at Motherwell. My counselling journey began when I sought some support myself. It was through working with my own counsellor that I realised I wanted to pursue this career. As a result, I took night classes in Level 2 and Level 3 Counselling, then went on to do a degree in Person-Centred Counselling through the University of Derby.

When it comes to looking after my wellbeing, I like to tap into my creativity. I like journaling, creative writing and drawing. I also enjoy gaming as a way to de-stress and inspire new creative ideas. One thing that always calms me down is lo-fi music – I recommend Lo-Fi Girl on YouTube/Spotify!

Let’s hear from Abbi

I have spent many years as a counsellor and facilitator. I have been counselling and supporting both young people and adults for most of my career. In a 10 year period I reached out to over 10,000 young people & 1,000 adults, per year, with my education programme, running my own charity, supplying both adults & young people with information to make informed choices.

Over the years I have been involved in lots of voluntary work, raising funds and developing within different charities. In February 2019 I volunteered in The Gambia working in the Women’s Centre and in primary schools. I am focused on empowerment & passionate about people and their mental health and wellbeing. I have struggled throughout the years with my own mental health issues which started with the loss of my son, Rory, in 1992. It has been a journey, a battle, and because of the support, counselling, mentoring and love I received, I have survived. I am extremely proud mum to my daughter, Keziah, who is an artist and musician living in London. 

Winning a couple of awards for my work in the community including Merseyside Woman of the Year 2017, it was a massive honour & privilege (to be honest, I was gob smacked) when I was placed on the list of Merseyside’s 100 Inspirational Women on International Woman’s Day 2019 – “Women Who Speak Out”.  I am passionate about everything that Motherwell stands for and I love my role as Operations Coordinator for the many different Motherwell Projects… Thank you!

Let’s hear from Ally

My name is Carys and I am one of the counsellors here at Motherwell. Studying Psychology at university initially sparked my interest in mental health and I’ve been passionate about supporting people in their mental health and wellbeing ever since.  I studied Psychotherapeutic Counselling at Staffordshire University and prior to becoming a counsellor, I worked with young people in a variety of settings.

When thinking about my own wellbeing, I use the ‘stress bucket’ analogy. Our ‘stress bucket’ can be filled up by things that worry or stress us and when the water gets near the top, we might sometimes start to feel overwhelmed. To keep the bucket from getting too full, I make space for activities which can drain those stresses like yoga, arts & crafts, and meditation. My favourite free mediations are by The Honest Guys on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/user/TheHonestGuys. 

Let’s hear from Carys

My name’s Chloe and I’m currently on my university placement with Motherwell. When I’m not in university I can be found taking my cockapoo, Georgie, on walks through Delamere Forrest or kayaking round wales. When I’m not out in the wilderness, I love going to explore cities and around Europe. 

I am a mum of three beautiful children, all mostly grown up, that does not mean I’m not wanted! In my experience it’s a job for life! I’ve been a mum for over 30 years and experienced all the emotions, highs and lows, of being a mum! Looking forward to the next chapter!

I’ve worked as a teacher in some shape or form all my working life. I also worked as a Nanny to 3 young boys. I used to work with young women in supported accommodation, supporting them back into education, work, volunteering and training, so I’m very aware of the ‘Mothering Journey’.

I work mainly behind the scenes, coordinating the Well-being Days, Workshops and courses, but love to be front of house, interacting with our mums and families whenever I can.

Let’s hear from Debbie

My name is Donna, and I was delighted to have joined Motherwell Cheshire as the Believe Project Lead/Support Advocate. The Believe Programme is very unique. We aim to be the “Voice” of Mum’s whose child/ren are subject to a Child Protection Plan. Within my role, I am able to offer emotional and practical support including accompanying Mum’s to all Social Care Meetings. 

In my previous role  I have supported young people for over 20 years within the Education Sector.  I have devised and delivered Resilience, Anger Management, Mental Health strategy programmes for young people. I set up and delivered a parent support group, which enabled parents to support their children who were experiencing mental health and emotional difficulties. 

I am a mother of two very independent, head strong girls. 

My journey at Motherwell started with myself volunteering, just a couple of hours a week to get me out of the house.

I needed a couple of hours to myself, adult conversation, to think about something other than being a mum. I didn’t realise how much of myself I had lost being a stay at home mum, I didn’t think mentally I needed anything more, I was wrong!

Previous jobs I would say, I didn’t enjoy but went to, just to make a living, we all can get stuck in a rut career wise.

Motherwell made me realise work isn’t just a job, it is a place I enjoy coming to and a place I am proud to say I work for.

My role as Community Hub Coordinator, based in Crewe and Winsford. The women I work with are some of the kindest and most supportive women I know, their acts are only to help people and to support them.

Let’s hear from Nadine

Hi I’m Rebecca and I am a placement counsellor at Motherwell Cheshire.  I am a step mum of 2 children and have had many life experiences, which put me on this path taking the plunge becoming a mature student studying Pluralistic counselling at college to become a counsellor. I am a believer that we cannot pour from an empty cup and that self-care is important, though sometimes we feel unworthy of that self-care, it feels selfish, almost alien. I am passionate about guiding people to believe in themselves, to know that you are worthy and that you can change the path you are on anytime you decide to, though that change may seem daunting and at first, it can seem a tougher path but have hope.

Something that often stays with me, that a wise person once explained, is that we cannot control what others say or do to us, however we can control how we respond, which is how I try to live my life by.