FAMILY MATTERS YORK - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Relationship Support Lead
Emma has worked with Family Matters York since 2019 and is our Relationships Support Lead. She is responsible for coordinating the Reconnect Support Couple volunteer team and is responsible for matching them with couples seeking to upskill and invest in their couple relationship. She loves seeing couples empowered to make simple changes that change the culture and direction of their couple relationship. In her spare time she loves exploring new places with her family and friends and watching things grow!
Jen is our Parenting Support Lead and has worked with Family Matters York since 2022. She oversees the organising and delivery of a range of parenting courses which aim to equip parents and carers with simple strategies to help make family life that little bit easier. She loves providing a welcoming space for parents/carers to share experiences and to grow in confidence and understanding of their parenting. Seeing how small changes can help a family thrive is amazing! Jen also loves a ‘cuppa and chat' with friends and family, or a walk along the coast taking in fresh seaside air and watching the waves crash on the beach!
Jill has been on the board of Trustees since 2005 which she currently co-chairs with Jo Bloss. She worked for 40 years in the NHS specialising in health promotion and addiction before retiring to work in private practice as a Counsellor. Jill has lived in York for most of her life and with her husband Tom volunteers as a Reconnect support couple. In her free time, Jill loves to read and make memories with her grandchildren.
Jo has been a trustee at Family Matters for 16 years and still really enjoys being part of a charity that is full of hope that we can have better relationships as couples, friends and parents. She has seen the fall out of broken relationships through her career as a family and children's lawyer and now as a family mediator. She also runs creative arts courses and loves to paint and make stuff
Kath joined the FMY team as the Fundraising Manager in 2024. She is responsible for managing the team and its operations, promoting the charity and developing fundraising opportunities. Kath comes to the role with a background in social policy research and many years volunteering with Treasure Chest Breastfeeding Group in York. She is passionate about supporting families as they negotiate challenges and achieve positive outcomes. Outside of work, Kath loves playing netball and cooking for her family.
Linsay has been a trustee since 2022. She works in the NHS, leading on community engagement and public involvement across Humber and North Yorkshire. With a varied professional background across the voluntary sector, local government and health, she is passionate about empowering people and communities. She is a single parent to a tenacious pre-teen and in her rare moments of spare time enjoys cooking and eating Asian food.
Luke has been on the team of trustees since 2021, and got involved with Family Matters York because he is passionate about seeing relationships grow, develop and bring joy (even through the tough times!). Luke is married to Ali and they have three young children. They have lived in York for 10 years and are members of Gateway Church. Luke works as an Assistant Headteacher at a large York School and in his spare time enjoys reading and playing football.