Our Team

Alex Parker-Larkin

Group Facilitator

Alex facilitates Headlight wellbeing groups in Axminster and Honiton. With a background in wellbeing, training, and community support, she is also training as an integrative counsellor. Through her work with Project Food, Alex has seen the importance of creating safe, welcoming spaces where people can build confidence, improve wellbeing, and feel supported.

Ang Higgins

Youth Volunteer Axminster

After 26 years teaching, with 16 focused on young people with special needs and autism, Ang completed a counselling diploma and worked as a Bereavement Counsellor. She now runs a private practice specialising in young people, those with additional needs, and bereaved clients.

Angela Lloyd

Wellbeing Worker

Ange has worked with young people for many years and connected up with the charity after starting up a youth group in her own village with the then CEO, they worked well together and he suggested she go for this new role that was coming up in Ottery St Mary. Ange now delivers 1-2-1 mentoring to the young people of Ottery St Mary, she also works alongside Jenny to deliver the two peer support groups in Ottery St Mary.

Carole Grimsley

Youth Volunteer Ottery St Mary

Having personal experience of the hugely beneficial impact of Headlight on a member of her own family Carole was inspired to join the group as a Volunteer.
She feels privileged to be able to help young people to feel supported and gain confidence in a way that is compassionate and supportive.

Chris Botham

Chair

After a career with HMRC in specialist and leadership roles, Chris channels his energy into local charities, particularly those supporting young people’s mental health. He sees Action East Devon’s direct, local approach as critical and truly inspirational.
 

Ciaran Stoker

Trustee

Ciaran has worked at the University of Exeter in various student employability and experience roles for over a decade. He is passionate about ensuring all young people in Devon have access to the support they need to enjoy happy, fulfilling lives and believes Action East Devon play a critical part in achieving this ambition.

Debra Winterson

Trustee

With a varied career spanning teaching, training, staff development, wellbeing, research and coaching in a wide variety of environments, Debra finished her corporate career in the NHS, establishing and leading a staff wellbeing function within the ambulance service. Her MA research explored how helping young people develop positive habits early in life can support their future wellbeing. She brings to Action East Devon a lifelong interest in mental health, resilience and helping people fulfil their potential.

Ellen Conway

Youth Volunteer Sidmouth

Ellen recently completed a Master’s in Clinical Psychology at the University of Exeter and is passionate about supporting young people. Through both her studies and lived experience, she has seen the positive difference that peer support can make and is committed to helping young people feel understood, valued, and empowered. Outside of work, she enjoys art, spending time with animals, and being by the sea

Fiona Anderson

Trustee

A coach with nearly 20 years’ experience working with leaders and NHS staff, Fiona volunteers directly with Headlight in Axminster. She’s witnessed firsthand how overstretched services have become and sees Action East Devon as essential for helping young people build confidence and resilience.

Graham Fice

Vice chair

Graham’s university management career ran parallel to lifelong charity involvement. Now retired, he finds great satisfaction working alongside staff, volunteers and fellow Trustees to maintain and develop services across East Devon.

Jenny Kim

Wellbeing Worker

As a qualified therapist and coach, Jenny facilitates two Headlight groups in Ottery St Mary alongside Ange. She finds it incredibly rewarding to support people during difficult times and on their unique journey through life.


 

Jill Cavell

Youth Volunteer Seaton

Jill is a passionate advocate for young people’s opportunities and for them to be not just heard but listened to. Over a long and varied career, she has worked and volunteered in health, education and social care. She loves spending time with her family and dog, creating miniatures, board games, and making celebration cakes

Jonny Ridley

Wellbeing Worker

Working with young people has always felt important to me. Through my work in schools, the local community and outdoor settings, I’ve seen the challenges adolescence can bring. I now support students one-to-one at Sidmouth College, creating a safe, supportive space where they can feel heard and grow in confidence.

Judith O’Neill

Trustee

From her first play scheme onwards, Judith knew young people would be at the heart of her career. After decades in youth and community work, followed by senior management in further education, she now runs an educational management consultancy and is delighted to support Action East Devon’s vital work.

Lola Coombs

Wellbeing Coordinator

Lola works as a Mental Health Support Worker in Axminster and Seaton assisting in the delivery of Peer Support Groups alongside 1-2-1 support to the young people, she is also our Community Coordinator, linking the Headlight service into vital networks and partnerships across East Devon. Lola is a qualified Equine Therapist with her own consultancy and spends time in nature with her horses and animals.

Margaret Wakley

Youth Volunteer Axminster & Honiton

Margaret has been passionate about helping people with mental health problems for many years. Even if this is just lending a ear to listen. Having studied several Diplomas and CPD certificates in mental health in children and adults over the years, Margaret has also recently graduated with a BSc (Honours) degree in Psychology and counselling. She is looking forward to working with Headlight as a volunteer and helping with fundraising where I can.

Marion Saunders

Youth Volunteer Ottery St Mary

A qualified Learning Disability Nurse since 1986, Marion began volunteering with Headlight in 2015 after spotting a newspaper advert, moving to Ottery St Mary in 2017. Now semi-retired and enjoying camper van travels with her husband, this mother of three is passionate about watching young people grow and gain confidence through new experiences.

Mattie Austin

Youth Volunteer Axminster

Currently working in an Axminster shop while hoping to train as a therapist, Mattie is passionate about art, baking, reading, writing and caring for animals. A choir member in Bridport and participant in local arts and crafts classes, she previously worked for the eating disorders department at Devon Partnership NHS Trust. Living with epilepsy doesn’t stop her pursuing activities she loves, including time with her two cats and fish.

Michelle Upsher

Youth Volunteer Ottery St Mary

As a working mother of two young adults, Michelle has an insight into the many pressures young people are under. She has volunteered in formal roles, as treasurer or as a parent helper, in the many sports and social groups her children have attended. As a result of being on the receiving end of invaluable volunteer support herself during recent cancer treatment, she wanted to give something back to her community to show her gratitude. She thinks the staff at Headlight do amazing work supporting the young people who attend and is happy to help in any small way she can.

Molly Mayfield

Charity Manager

Working behind the scenes, Molly fine-tunes the inner workings of the charity and supports the Wellbeing Workers to deliver their community roles. She collaborates with trustees, staff and volunteers while connecting with practitioners across East Devon. She is the mother of a young family and believes that the peer support model in Headlight can make a real difference to the lives of young people.

Rebecca Colwill

Group Facilitator

Rebecca facilitates the Seaton Group and brings almost twenty years of teaching experience in East Devon primary and early secondary schools. With a BSc in Psychology, and training as an integrative counsellor, she understands how challenging it can be to join a group and aims to be welcoming, compassionate and non-judgemental.

Sue Morris

Outreach & Development Manager

With a background in marketing and fundraising within the charitable sector, Sue is supporting the launch of new Headlight services in Honiton and Sidmouth. Her experience in outreach and engagement helps to raise awareness of Action East Devon’s services and ensure more people are aware of the valuable support available in their local community.