About us

Norfolk Eating Disorders Association was established in 1979 and became a registered charity in 1991. We relaunched as Eating Matters in 2012 and became a CIO from April 2022 . We currently have a team of 30 counsellors and therapists and a four-person admin and management team. We also have a number of trainee counsellors and volunteers. Norwich is our base, but we also have counsellors working in West Norfolk, North Norfolk and South Norfolk.

You can call us
01603 767062
or use the
contact form

The team

Jane Olivier, Psychotherapist & Team Leader, Eating Matters

Jane Olivier

Psychotherapeutic Counsellor & Team Leader, Adults (25+ years)
Jane has specialised in the recovery of eating disorders for over twenty years. Previously, she worked as a Registered General Nurse Specialist in a variety of roles within acute, rehabilitative and community eating disorder settings and later managed the Interim Norfolk Community Eating Disorder Service (NCEDS). Jane has a BSc Hons. degree in Integrative Psychotherapeutic Counselling and is an Accredited Member of the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP).
Julie de Rohan, Psychotherapist & Team Leader, Eating Matters

Julie de Rohan

Psychotherapist & Team Leader, Emotion-driven Overeating Section
Julie has a Masters Degree in Counselling from the UEA and has also trained in Schema Therapy with Schema Therapy Associates at the British Psychological Society, London. Julie works exclusively with clients with overeating issues such as compulsive eating, emotional eating and Binge Eating Disorder. She first became involved with Eating Matters in 2011 when undertaking research for her MA dissertation on overeating and obesity. She joined the team in 2012, having previously practised at the UEA Counselling Service, the Norwich Centre and Access to Music. She is an Accredited Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). You can read Julie's blog here.
Yolande Russell, Chief Executive Officer, Eating Matters

Yolande Russell

Chief Executive Officer
Yolande has been CEO since 2016, having first joined Eating Matters as Manager in 2014.  She has a corporate background in insurance, finance and management and has previously worked for Admin Re and Aviva both in Norwich and Sheffield. Yolande is also the Designated Safeguarding Lead for children and adults.  
Rowena Breese, Administrator, Eating Matters

Rowena Breese

Administrator
Rowena has a degree in the Management of Design and Innovation. Before joining Eating Matters in 2016, she worked as a project manager for a bathroom design company, in customer service and marketing for a folding/sliding door company, and organised family carers support groups for a government-funded initiative.

Daisy Claxton-Pearce

Counsellor and Team Leader for age 19-25 , Norwich
Daisy has a Post-Graduate Diploma in Person-Centred Counselling and has been working at Eating Matters since qualifying in 2014. Previously, she has also practiced at the UEA Counselling Service, St. Barnabas Counselling Centre and another Norfolk based charity providing counselling for young people. Daisy works with both young people and adults and is a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). In 2023 Daisy completed a diploma in clinical supervision and now offers one-to-one supervision in private practice.
Janina Norton, Counsellor, Eating Matters

Janina Norton

Counsellor, Norwich
Janina first became involved with Eating Matters in 2014 as a volunteer on our Therapeutic Workshops for Emotion-driven Overeating. Subsequently, she had a counselling placement with us whilst undertaking a two-year Post-Graduate Diploma in Counselling, which she completed in July 2017. She is a Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
Barbara Wilson, Counsellor, Eating Matters

Babs Wilson

Counsellor, Norwich
Babs has worked for many years as a counsellor for Eating Matters; initially joining the charity as a volunteer in 2008. She also has experience of counselling students and staff at the UEA counselling service and working as an alcohol/drug counsellor with NORCAS. Babs has an MA in Person-Centred counselling and holds an adult teaching qualification. Until 2020 she taught in further and higher education, as a course leader on the Access in Counselling diploma and Person-Centred Counselling BA (Hons) at East Coast College, Great Yarmouth. Babs is a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
Caine Catchpole, Counsellor, Eating Matters

Caine Catchpole

Counsellor, Norwich
Caine started as a volunteer support worker at Eating Matters in 2012 and went on to complete a Post-Graduate Diploma in Person-Centered Counselling from the UEA. He also holds a Post-Graduate Certificate in CBT. He is a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
Lucy Child, Dietitian, Eating Matters

Lucy Child

Dietitian
Lucy Child is an experienced registered dietitian who has worked for nearly 30 years in mental health and eating disorders. She worked for many years in the NHS in various specialties including bariatric (severe obesity), diabetes and cardiology and now works in private hospitals and clinics. She maintains close links with Eating Matters and offers an additional service to clients before, during or after counselling.

Mary Purnell

Counsellor, Great Yarmouth & Waveney & North Norfolk
Mary is an experienced person-centred counsellor, holding a BSc (Hons) in Social Studies with Counselling, a Higher National Diploma in Counselling, NCFED Master Practitioner in Eating Disorders and a Certificate in CBT. Mary joined Eating Matters in 2004 and has had many years’ experience working with eating disorders. She has previously worked for the NHS and for b-eat, on their national helplines and facilitating the external clinical supervision for their helpline workers. She is a Senior Accredited Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

Jackie Wrout

Counsellor, King’s Lynn
Jackie has worked in the King’s Lynn area for Eating Matters since 2015. She holds a Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling and works integratively with Person-Centred and Psychodynamic approaches. She also works with two other Norfolk-based counselling charities and, as a trainer, runs workshops on mental health awareness and communication for schools and businesses. She is a Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

Brenda Hopkins

Counsellor, Norwich
Brenda joined Eating Matters in 2017 having completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling at the University of East Anglia. She has also completed further, post-qualifying training in Emotion-Focused therapy at the University of Strathclyde and has a Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Counselling Skills and a Diploma in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. She has over twenty years’ experience of working in a pastoral, supportive role with individuals and families through her work as a teacher and manager in education. She is an Accredited Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Jodien Hutcheson-Wisby

Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist, Norwich
Jodi has been working with children and young people for over 12 years and specialises in working with early life trauma and eating disorders. Jodi first came to Eating Matters as a volunteer in 2006 whilst completing a MA degree in Psychodynamic Counselling with Children & Young People. Jodi also holds a qualification in Integrative Supervision. As well as working at Eating Matters Jodi is Head of 1:1 Therapy for a charitable organisation working with traumatised children, and she also runs a small private practice. Jodi is a member of BACP and is accredited with UKCP. Jodi is also a member of the UKCP Training Standards Committee for CCAP (College for Child & Adolescent Psychotherapies.)

Sarah Tiddy

Operations Manager
Before joining Eating Matters in 2019 Sarah had spent several years working in the office of a local junior school. Her strong administrative background has included working at the UEA, in the insurance industry and as a constituency caseworker for local MPs.

Carol Calder

Counsellor, Norwich
Carol completed a Masters degree in Person-Centred counselling at the University of East Anglia in 2017. She has also completed further post-qualifying training in Mindfulness, and in Emotionally-driven Overeating. She has worked at Eating Matters since 2019. Prior experience includes working in a pastoral role in a High school and practising as a counsellor for adults and young people (16-18) at The Norwich Centre for Counselling. She is a Registered member of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP).

Beccy Tod

Counsellor and Team Leader for age 11-19 , Norwich
Beccy has a Post-Graduate Diploma in Person-centred Counselling, and also holds a Diploma in Integrative Supervision. Previously she has worked at b-eat, and at Newmarket House Clinic (an in-patient hospital for people with severe eating disorders). Beccy also works as a counsellor with young people for another Norwich based charity. She is an accredited member of BACP, and works with both young people and adults

Kate Jones

Counsellor, Great Yarmouth & Waveney & North Norfolk
Kate is a Person Centred Counsellor In private practice, with 10 years experience in several areas of counselling, with children, young people and adults. Kate Graduated with BA (Hons) Degree in Person Centred Counselling from University College of Suffolk (UCS)), she has a National Diploma in Counselling; BTEC Diploma in Counselling Skills; Certificate in Couples counselling and a Diploma in Integrative Supervision. She Joined Eating Matters as a Volunteer Counsellor in 2012 for 2 years, and rejoined the Counselling team in 2019. Kate is a Registered Member of British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Jo Burdett, Psychotherapist & Team Leader, Eating Matters

Jo Burdett

Psychotherapist
Jo has 20 years’ experience in the field of eating disorders: working on a national helpline, in training and psycho-education, and one-to-one counselling. She has a BA in Integrative Counselling and a Masters in Understanding Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence. Jo first joined Eating Matters in 2015 and works with all eating disorders and feeding difficulties. She is a Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Jo is currently studying for a PhD in Women's Studies/Coercive Control within and beyond the domestic environment at York University.

Wendy Bishop

Counsellor, Norwich & North Norfolk
Wendy is a person-centred counsellor with several years experience with clients at Mind and the Sue Lambert Trust, working with adults of varying ages with diverse issues. Wendy has a Post-Graduate Diploma in Person-centred Counselling and is a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and operates within the ethical framework of that body.

Dee Bell

Counsellor, Norwich
Dee is a Person-Centred Counsellor with a BA (hons) degree in Person-Centred Counselling from the University of East Anglia, she has 14 years experience in many areas of counselling, starting her career at Eating Matters facilitating small group work. Dee went on to work with adults suffering with mental ill health and substance misuse, she has worked with women survivors of domestic abuse and coercive behaviour. Dee has a private practice and is a Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Sara Vass

Counsellor/Psychotherapist Gt Yarmouth & Waveney
Sara has over 20 years experience working as a counsellor/psychotherapist, since qualifying with a Diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling in 2000. She joined Eating Matters in 2021 and also works at Catalyst Counselling in Lowestoft. Sara’s previous experience includes working with adolescents and young adults at Great Yarmouth College, taking NHS referrals through the Wellbeing Service, and working for employee assistance programmes. She is an Accredited Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

Lucy Vadhir

Counsellor
Lucy holds a BSc in Integrative Counselling, and first came to Eating Matters whilst completing her qualification. Lucy works with adults, and is also a counsellor at Off The Record, a low cost counselling charity based in Norwich. Lucy is currently working towards accreditation with UKCP.

Chelle Luxton

Student Counsellor
Chelle is a student counsellor in her final year of an MSc in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Psychodynamic Counselling at the University of Suffolk. Chelle also has another placement within a Norfolk based charity, working within their supported living accommodation. Chelle’s previous experience is working for a charity supporting children and young people in schools.

Claire Stuart

Counsellor, Norwich
Claire currently works as a counsellor for young people at Eating Matters and also in another role within the NHS. Previous to this Claire worked in education in a pastoral role and also within the charity sector supporting teenage parents. Claire has a Post-Graduate Diploma in Person-Centred Counselling as well as a BSc in Psychosocial Science. She is a Registered Member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Jackie Fraser-Quigg

Counsellor Norwich
Jackie has worked with young people her entire career. Before qualifying as a Counsellor, she worked as a High School English Teacher and Pastoral Manager for 26 years. Prior to starting at Eating Matters in September 2022, Jackie’s previous work as a Counsellor included supporting adults struggling with addiction at NRP and with another Norwich based charity working with clients who had experienced pregnancy loss. On qualifying in 2015, Jackie began working with a Norwich based charity as a Senior Counsellor managing a team of Counsellors supporting students in Norwich High Schools. Jackie has a BSc Hons degree in Integrative Psychotherapeutic Counselling and a Post Graduate Certificate in Couples Counselling. Jackie is also a qualified Supervisor, holding a Diploma in Integrative Supervision. She has a Private Practice working with adults and is an Accredited member of the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP).

Miranda Shepherd

Administrator
Miranda joined Eating Matters in 2022 bringing experience from a variety of administrative and customer service roles. She holds a degree in Education Studies and spent 8 years supporting children and families in schools and nurseries.

Jen Alexander

Student Counsellor
Jen studied counselling skills and theory at The Norwich Centre before commencing the degree programme in Person-Centred Counselling with The University of Suffolk. She is also employed by another Norfolk-based charity, where she offers individual and group support sessions to young people aged 11-25, specialising in gender identity. Previously, Jen volunteered as an executive committee member of The Barbara Ross Association, supporting gender diverse people of all ages and their families, as well as raising awareness of trans-related matters through conferences. She is a student member of the British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP).

Bex Squires

Counsellor
Bex started working with Eating Matters during her training and has also worked for Norfolk and Waveney MIND. She has previously worked in safeguarding in secondary schools and has a small private practice working with adults. Bex holds an advanced diploma in Integrative Counselling with Matrix College and a BSC in Integrative Counselling from Middlesex University. She is a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and is currently completing her registration with the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP).
Jane Olivier, Psychotherapist & Team Leader, Eating Matters

Jane Olivier

Julie de Rohan, Psychotherapist & Team Leader, Eating Matters

Julie de Rohan

Yolande Russell, Chief Executive Officer, Eating Matters

Yolande Russell

Rowena Breese, Administrator, Eating Matters

Rowena Breese

Daisy Claxton-Pearce

Janina Norton, Counsellor, Eating Matters

Janina Norton

Barbara Wilson, Counsellor, Eating Matters

Babs Wilson

Caine Catchpole, Counsellor, Eating Matters

Caine Catchpole

Lucy Child, Dietitian, Eating Matters

Lucy Child

Mary Purnell

Jackie Wrout

Brenda Hopkins

Jodien Hutcheson-Wisby

Sarah Tiddy

Carol Calder

Beccy Tod

Kate Jones

Jo Burdett, Psychotherapist & Team Leader, Eating Matters

Jo Burdett

Wendy Bishop

Dee Bell

Sara Vass

Lucy Vadhir

Chelle Luxton

Claire Stuart

Jackie Fraser-Quigg

Miranda Shepherd

Jen Alexander

Bex Squires

Trustees

Staff member icon

Kathryn Griffiths

Trustee
Kathryn has recently retired from the NHS where she was worked within Clinical Commissioning Groups and Commissioning Support Units. Kathryn has been involved in commissioning services and dealing with the associated service developments and performance management. Prior to these roles, Kathryn was a Registered Nurse for many years working in hospitals in London and the East of England. Kathryn has been a Trustee at Eating Matters since June 2019.

Rosie Thomas

Trustee
Rosie Thomas has a background in further education and a keen interest in mental health issues. She moved to Norfolk in 2001 and soon after began volunteering for Eating Matters. At that time, the charity offered twice weekly 'drop in' days and a telephone helpline, which she helped to operate. Rosie became a trustee in 2006.

Helen Waters

Chair of Trustees
Helen has worked in the NHS for 40 years in varied management roles including general practice, contracting, Individual funding requests and specialised commissioning, which involved mental health acute specialised services. When working in specialised commissioning one of Helen’s fields of expertise was Eating Disorders which included specialised patient placements and Bariatric Surgery. In this role she also developed eating disorder pathways for services as they developed from new treatments to mainstream services. Helen continues to have an interest in Eating Disorders, particularly early intervention treatments and health education. Helen has an allotment and is almost self-sufficient in her own vegetable production, she is also a member of her allotment association committee and promotes healthy eating in the local community.

William Mellor

Patron
Will has a degree in Economics and has worked in the investment industry for over 17 years, currently as Investment Director at Barratt & Cooke Stockbrokers. Alongside managing charity investments Will also acts as a trustee for two grant making charities and has a keen interest in mental health issues. Will became a Patron of Eating Matters in 2019.

Rosie Varley

Trustee
Rosie has led organizations in health, education, justice and professional regulation. She is a former NHS regional chair, former NHS Appointments Commissioner, former chair of the General Social Care Council, and former chair of the Public Guardian Board. Rosie has a longstanding interest, personal and professional, in mental health and learning disabilities. In the past she has chaired an NHS Mental Health Trust and served as a member of the Mental Health Review Tribunal. She is currently chair of the members of SENDAT, an academy Trust providing special education to young people across Norfolk and Suffolk. Rosie joined Eating Matters Board of Trustees in September 2020.

Imogen Brown

Trustee
Immi is a trainee accountant working at Lovewell Blake LLP within the Healthcare department. She is currently studying towards her ACA qualification having joined Lovewell Blake after completing her A Levels, in which she studied Maths, English and Psychology. Immi joined as a trustee in March 2021 and is currently the charity treasurer.

Marrya Ben-Gharbia

Trustee
Marrya is a final year medical student at the University of East Anglia. She has an interest in paediatric mental health and is hoping to specialise in psychiatry in the future. Marrya joined Eating Matters as a trustee in November 2022.
Staff member icon

Kathryn Griffiths

Rosie Thomas

Helen Waters

William Mellor

Rosie Varley

Imogen Brown

Marrya Ben-Gharbia

Our policies

Privacy

Eating Matters is committed to protecting your personal data. We need to gather certain information about you to provide you with a personal service while safeguarding your privacy. Our Privacy Policy documents what we will do with your personal information and how we will store it.

Safeguarding

Eating Matters fully recognises the contribution it can make to protecting children, young people and adults from harm and supporting and promoting the welfare of all our service users and people with whom we come into contact. Our organisation promotes an ethos whereby our service users feel secure, are encouraged to talk, are listened to and are safe. Children and adults should be able to talk freely to any member of staff, volunteer or regular visitor to our organisation if they are worried or concerned about something. All information is confidential. However, if there is a safeguarding or child protection concern we share information with other agencies, namely the Police or Children’s Services. If we are unsure whether to make a referral, we seek a professional consultation with Children’s Advice and Duty Service (CADS). In order to do this, we ask the consent of a parent or carer, unless to do so would place the child at further risk of harm. We work in partnership and try to establish effective working relationships with parents and carers, as well as colleagues from other agencies and organisations.

Confidentiality

Our service is confidential. Information about a service user will not be given to any third party, including a family member, without the consent of the client. Information will be treated in confidence and will not be divulged to anyone outside of the organisation except where extenuating circumstances exist (see below). However, in order for us to provide the best possible help to our clients it may be necessary to share information with a manager or colleagues within Eating Matters. Eating Matters requires the right to breach confidentiality in some specific circumstances:

  • The service user requests, and feels that it is within their best interest, that certain information be passed on.
  • Circumstances where the counsellor has sufficient grounds to believe that the service user is suffering or is likely to suffer significant harm.
  • If the service user discloses that they are aware of significant harm of another person.
  • If a young person is under a care order, or when child protection issues arise, the counsellor, with the permission of the young person, may attend case conferences and continue to honour the confidentiality contract.

If a child appears to be at risk of significant harm, it may be appropriate to seek help from other agencies to keep them safe. If appropriate, we inform the child’s parent/guardian of this. The counsellor would discuss this first with the young person concerned. For a full copy of our Safeguarding and Confidentiality Policies, please speak to your counsellor or the management team.