With over twenty years’ experience in healthcare, Rebecca has worked in both the NHS and private sector, her expertise lies in managing patient services and optimising the overall patient journey and experience.
Having been diagnosed with ME/CFS during her late teens, Rebecca has now made a full recovery. With her unwavering enthusiasm and dedication to making a difference, her key role and main focus is to ensure that Action for ME’s Healthcare Services are delivered safely and are providing the best possible experience for all individuals impacted by ME/CFS.
Helen has worked in administration for over 30 years in a variety of different industries including theatre production, advertising, hospitality, business consultancy and childcare.
Helen came to Action for ME in 2021 as part of the merger with The ME Trust, for whom she had been working since 2016 and is glad to continue to be part of a team providing much needed support to those with ME.
In her spare time, Helen is a keen golfer, an amdram queen and a crochet fanatic.
Robin is a General Practitioner with over 10 years of experience. He also runs a medical clinic in his local hospital and so brings knowledge, understanding and enthusiasm for helping people with complex multi-system illnesses.
Robin's interest in ME and research about the condition is long standing. More recently he has been involved in research regarding long Covid. He understands how debilitating ME can be as a complex multi-system illness. He intends to help patients in his role with Action for ME, tailored to their individual needs.
"When he's not working he loves getting outdoors with his family, particularly on a bike."
Sarah is a General Practitioner who graduated in medicine from Cardiff University in 2011 and has since spent time working in the NHS around the UK. She has a particular interest in integrated whole person care and is passionate about partnering with patients to improve their health.
Over the last 10 years, Sarah has developed an interest in ME, gaining a deeper understanding of the limitations and frustrations of trying to navigate the health system with a complex illness. She is committed to providing a service and care that offers an alternative opportunity where patients are heard compassionately and responded to using the available evidence.
Melanie gained a BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy degree at the University of Brighton in 2008. She worked alongside some of the previous ME Trust clinical team at Burswood Hospital from 2009-2011 as part of the multidisciplinary team providing care for people with ME and has been working with clients with ME/CFS since 2020.
Melanie loves her career in physiotherapy, which allows her to help people achieve their goals and improve their quality of life. She achieves this through developing a relationship of trust and providing a holistic and individualised approach.
Melanie teaches Pilates and is very active with two young children!
With over 20 years of experience in the field of physiotherapy, Becky is a dedicated professional who has worked both in the NHS and private practice. She gained her BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy from the University of Hertfordshire in 2003 and began her career at the Luton and Dunstable NHS Hospital, where she worked for three years before moving on to private settings that span hospitals and clinics.
In 2011, Becky enhanced her credentials by winning a scholarship to Bradford University, graduating with a Post Graduate Certificate in Physiotherapy specialising in Women's Health. Her extensive background equips her with a comprehensive understanding of patient care, allowing her to deliver tailored treatment plans that cater to individual needs.
Becky has a special passion for treating patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) as a person with this diagnosis herself, driving her commitment to advance her knowledge and improve therapeutic approaches for those affected by this complex condition.
Becky is dedicated to empowering her patients through education, support and real life pacing techniques.
Jenny is a Registered and Accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), having trained at West Kent College and holds an Advanced Diploma in Humanistic Counselling. She has worked in the NHS in both Primary and Secondary Mental Health Services for over 15 years. Jenny set up and managed the Family and Carers Counselling Service within Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust. She has a successful private practice and is also a Supervisor for Cruse.
Jenny is committed to providing effective, supportive counselling and psychotherapy adhering to professional standards and ethics, using an integrative model.
Kelly is a Registered and Accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and holds a Diploma in Counselling from Stoke-on-Trent College. In addition, she holds a qualification for online/phone counselling.
Kelly is a person-centred counsellor but will use other counselling models if it is of benefit to the client. Her work is client-led, and she believes that the relationship built between the counsellor and client is of the upmost importance in therapy.
Kelly is experienced in brief and long-term therapeutic work and has worked with people from a variety of backgrounds and ages; working with a diverse range of presenting issues. Kelly’s experience has been gained over the past 14 years by working in schools, GP practices, homes and community settings. She also works for a charity who provide counselling to those affected by bereavement, loss and life changing illness and has a successful private practice.
Kelly is committed to her personal and professional development and is continually reflecting on her practice to ensure she is adhering to professional and ethical standards.
Jacky is a qualified, registered and accredited counsellor and psychotherapist and also a qualified supervisor of counsellors/psychotherapists.
She runs her own busy private practice, is an approved supervisor for the Leeds University Masters Counselling and Psychotherapy course, and also works with several other organisations and healthcare providers.
Jacky's therapeutic approach to counselling is person centred, relational and holistic. She offers a warm, respectful, supportive, and collaborative relationship with her clients, following BACP guidelines for ethical and professional practice. She has extensive experience of working with clients suffering from a range of chronic and complex illnesses, as well as with carers and family members of those affected.
Jacky also has a deeply personal relationship with ME, being mother to two of her children who have ME; one of whom suffers from multiple complex, long term issues. She has seen first-hand the journey of sufferers and is passionate about supporting and being an advocate for all those affected by ME/CFS. She helps people to stabilise and live the best possible life they can, even when it is challenging and difficult to maintain any hope that there might be a more positive future. Jacky strives to enable her clients to have a voice and to be heard, believed and validated, and to provide appropriate, informed, emotional and therapeutic support.
Hannah is a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and holds an Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling from Iron Mill College in Exeter, as well as a Post Graduate qualification from the University of Exeter.
Hannah also has additional qualifications to work with children and young people. She has worked in a variety of settings including charities, the NHS and in schools providing one to one therapy and groups. Hannah has qualifications in using art in therapy and enjoys using creative techniques in her work.
Hannah is passionate about providing space for people to explore their emotions, better understand their thoughts and feelings and feel empowered to make the changes they want to make. She runs a private practice and works as a supervisor.
Part time Counsellor working with Young People. My background has brought me along to paths really. Initially a creativity bias, as I worked in Interior Design and Garden Design. Alongside this I have always had an interest in human behaviour and the emotional resources that we hold within us. Both careers are supportive of each other and help me grow as a person and bring me immense fulfilment.
Alongside my counselling role with Action for ME, I am committed to my private practise working with young people and adults, face to face, online and outside in nature. When I don’t have my head in a book or attending a workshop I can be found in the “blue” or “green.” I am recharged walking my dog, wild swimming or gardening.
My motto is “Be the change you wish to see in the world”.
Ruth is an Anglican Priest, was ordained in 2000, and has experience in parish and chaplaincy ministry, supporting people from all walks of life. She understands the value of ‘walking’ as a pilgrim with and alongside people who are struggling, including people with chronic illness, people at risk of homelessness and ‘on the margins’ of life.
Ruth grew up in inner city Leicester alongside friends of many faiths and none, and welcomes accompanying people exploring what faith and life means for each person.
She completed her training as a Spiritual Director in 2011, and has recently been a SPIDIR course tutor, training spiritual directors. She has personal experience of chronic illness and understands the life-giving nature of spiritual accompaniment.
Bob is a semi-retired Methodist Minister who has worked with churches in different parts of the UK as well as in different chaplaincy settings. Between 2018 - 2023 he lived in south-west France, where he and his wife, Sue, were running a small centre for hospitality and reflection. They now live in Fife, Scotland - choosing this location to be close to their adult children.
Bob is a pastoral supervisor and trainer and has written on reflective practice and palliative care. He has trained in spiritual accompaniment and enjoys creative and soulful engagement.
During the last few years, he has discovered the joy of writing poetry and novels. He loves walking Hugo the dog.
Robert has been a Methodist Minister since 1998, during which time he has ministered to people from a range of church traditions and faith perspectives. Robert has journeyed through and supported people experiencing a range of life’s challenges and joys, including chronic illness, bereavement and loss.
Robert’s approach to pastoral care has been shaped by his own life experiences and reflections, his academic studies including an MA in Pastoral Theology and a Certificate in Pastoral Supervision, his practice as a pastoral supervisor and the work that he has done around spiritual development, vocation, personal wellbeing and living out faith in daily life.
Robert’s personal spiritual life continues to be shaped by music, reading, reflection, walks in the countryside, prayer, worship and whatever life brings his way.
