Meet the Team
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Emma Pears
Chief Officer
MoreEmma Pears
I’m Emma, SELFA’s Chief Officer. I helped to set up SELFA in 2007 when I was the Extended Schools Co-ordinator for North Yorkshire County Council. Over the years I’ve campaigned on issues such as children and young people’s mental health, which is deeply rooted in my own experience as a parent of a child with mental health support needs. I love swimming, dogs and my two teenage children: Hannah and Aidan. My fun fact is that it took me over 100 lessons and 4 instructors to pass my driving test – my motto is never give up!!
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Karen Roberts
Service Manager
MoreKaren Roberts
Hey there, I’m Karen, SELFA’s Service Manager. I have been fortunate enough to support many of our children and young people since 2012 and enjoy every minute of it. Throughout my time at SELFA I have had the opportunity to explore and expand on my own leadership skills and confidence to support and nurture our fabulous team of staff.
Out of work there is never a dull moment. I have two beautiful daughters that keep me on my toes! I love to spend my free time outdoors in the countryside walking my Border Collie, Rosie, as well as helping my husband out on the farm, particularly at lambing time.
My ultimate live by quote is ‘Clarity about what matters gives clarity about what does not’. FYI my ultimate value in life is Clarity … just saying!
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Katie Hoggarth
Senior Children & Young People’s Worker (SEND & Youth Voice)
MoreKatie Hoggarth
I’m Katie! My SELFA journey started in 2015 and I’ve never looked back. I joined the team full time in 2021 and my role is Senior Children & Young People’s Worker (SEND & Youth Voice). I am very proud to work for such a fantastic charity; it feels like a family and I am incredibly passionate about making sure children and young people feel heard and empowered to make their own choices.
I like spending time in nature, whether it’s swinging in my hammock, barefoot walking or wild swimming. A fun fact about me is that this year I walked from Liverpool to Leeds on the canal to raise money for SELFA – 127 ¼ miles in 5 days!
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Lucy Short
Senior Children & Young People’s Worker (Mental Wellbeing)
MoreLucy Short
I’m Lucy, SELFA’s Senior Children & Young People’s Worker (Mental Wellbeing). I started working at SELFA in 2018 after leaving primary-school teaching. I absolutely love working at SELFA and feel incredibly proud to be a part of the team. I’m passionate about early intervention for mental health support no matter the age.
I love musical theatre, Sunday roasts and everything Christmas! A fun fact about me is that I enjoy writing poems and, during lockdown, one of my poems went viral and reached millions all over the world!
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Samantha Pickard-Watkinson
Senior Children & Young People’s Worker
MoreSamantha Pickard-Watkinson
I’m Samantha, known as SELFA Sam to the children & young people! I first began working here in 2012 as an apprentice Sports Coach and now have the role of Senior Children & Young People’s Worker. I feel honoured to have been able to grow with such an incredible organisation and be a part of many youngsters’ childhood’s – seeing them develop from fun loving 5-year-olds to confident, caring 15-year-olds is pretty special & rewarding!
I am at my happiest when in the great outdoors with my husband, little boy & dog – either hiking up a hill, mountain biking or spending leisure time in the Lake District. A fun fact is that I got married at Lake Garda, Italy, during the pandemic! And finally… a quote I like to live by is ‘Every day may not be good … but there’s something good in every day’ as it reminds me to stay positive!
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Natasha Richardson
Children & Young People’s Worker
MoreNatasha Richardson
Hello, my name is Natasha, and I am a Children and Young People’s Worker at SELFA. I first worked at SELFA as a placement student in 2019 and love it so much I never left! I was proud to become part of the core staff team in 2022 after finishing my degree and spending some time working for the local authority. I have two cats, and I love going for walks or reading a good book if it’s raining. My goal has always been to make a positive different to anyone I meet, even if it’s as small as making someone smile for just a second in their busy day.
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Nicole Morgan
Children & Young People’s Worker
MoreNicole Morgan
I’m Nicole and I’ve worked at SELFA since November 2021 as a Children and Young People’s worker. Previously to this I worked in schools for 8 years. I feel very lucky to be part of such an incredible team at SELFA and love the difference that we get to make to the children and families we support. I work in North Craven with the primary children and am passionate about creating a safe and fun environment for the groups to thrive in. Out of work I enjoy fresh air, going to the gym, spending time with my family and a really good mocha!
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Skye Barnes
Children & Young People’s Support Worker (Mental Wellbeing)
MoreSkye Barnes
Hello everyone! I am Skye and I am the Children & Young People’s Support Worker (Mental Wellbeing) here at SELFA. I have been on my own journey here at SELFA having started as a volunteer and progressing through sessional work to be part of the core team. No day is the same here at SELFA and I fully embrace it! When I am not at work I love to go out and go on adventures. I love to travel and see our beautiful world. I am a thrill seeker and have had some sky-high moments in my life including jumping out of a plane at 15,000ft doing a ‘Skye’ dive!
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Rosie Hall
Senior Administrator
MoreRosie Hall
Hi I’m Rosie, SELFA’s Senior Administrator. I originally came to SELFA as a volunteer. I joined the staff team in 2013 as an Administration Assistant and haven’t looked back. I feel strongly about the importance of mental health support, social justice, and the environment. I love walking, reading and Scotland (particularly doing the first two in the third)! My motto is ‘No one died wishing they’d spent more time cleaning.’
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Holly Beresford
Children & Young People’s Support Worker
MoreHolly Beresford
Hello! I’m Holly, and I work as a Children’s & Young People’s Support Worker at SELFA. After finishing my Education Degree, I began working as a sessional staff member and was really excited to join the core team at the start of 2024. Outside from working at SELFA, I enjoy spending time with my family and travelling to new places, particularly city breaks in Europe! As well as this I love socialising with friends and trying new activities.
Our trustees
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Judith Holliday
Chair of Trustees
MoreJudith Holliday
I’m Judith, SELFA’s Chair of Trustees. I am extremely proud of holding this position which I took up on retirement from headship of a local primary school in 2014. Working in school as head and SENCO, I worked closely with SELFA and saw how the charity offered opportunities to a significant number of vulnerable children and young adults which were not on offer from any other service. In my spare time, I love walking my Labrador (but not in the rain) and painting.
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Sue Bailey
Treasurer
MoreSue Bailey
I’m Sue Bailey my background is owning and running hotels, latterly working as an Office Manager. I’m mum of two now grown-up children. I care about providing opportunities for all children.
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Simon Collings
Trustee
MoreSimon Collings
I’m Simon, a Trustee for SELFA. I worked as an environmental consultant for 25 years before taking on a full-time caring role for my two adopted children, both of whom have accessed SELFA over several years. I’m passionate about supporting and advocating for families with special needs children, with a particular concern for how adverse early life experiences affect the development and life chances of children. Having undergone a big journey of understanding and change in my approach to parenting, I’m also keen to support dads of special needs children in adapting to the challenges they face. Fun fact: I regularly eat marmite and marmalade on toast – together! You’re welcome.
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George Garland
Trustee
MoreGeorge Garland
I’m George Garland, an ex-primary headteacher, having also worked in Inspection & Performance Management in the primary sector. My main interest was always in all creative aspects of Early Years Education and fighting for less bureaucracy. I am committed to the work of SELFA and to assisting the team to enhance the lives of the young people in their care. As an active member of The Rotary Club of Skipton Craven I regularly visit local schools and organisations to give Shelterbox disaster relief talks and assemblies. I play golf, badly!
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Joanne Lloyd
Trustee
MoreJoanne Lloyd
Hi! I’m Joanne and I’m one of the SELFA Trustees. I joined SELFA to help support and promote the amazing work this charity does for young people. As someone who has volunteered in governance for many years across primary and secondary schools, I was inspired by what SELFA offers to young people. My professional background is as a chartered quantity surveyor, and I now work at Leeds Beckett University hoping to inspire the next generation of surveyors in the built environment. My favourite pastime is walking my two black Labradors.
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Claire Wood
Trustee
MoreClaire Wood
I’m Claire, I’m a trustee for SELFA. I’m a social worker by day and a mum of two boys. I enjoy being outside, going for walks and breathing in the lovely Yorkshire air!
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Lauren Hopkins
Trustee
MoreLauren Hopkins
I’m Lauren, a newly-appointed Trustee at SELFA. I’m joining the team because I want to be part of the organisation that helped my teenage stepson so much when he went through a very difficult period in his life. As well as lived experience as a parent, I bring my professional experience as a Speech and Language Therapist working with young people with autism and learning disabilities. In my free time I enjoy reading, yoga, cold water swimming, dog-walking and performing in my local community pantomime.
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Heather Tattersall
Trustee
MoreHeather Tattersall
Heather has worked in mental health since 2006 where she started as a Support Worker for a local charity and is now Deputy Executive Officer at the Cellar Trust. As part of her role she also co-chairs the Bradford Suicide prevention Group and represents Bradford on the West Yorkshire Suicide Prevention Oversight Group.
Heather has a husband, and 2 daughters; one of whom is of the four-legged furry variety. Heather has a strong Christian faith and is passionate about social justice. Aside from work, she enjoys spending time with her family, going for walks and enjoys taking time for herself and going for a swim.
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Nicky Shoesmith
Trustee
MoreNicky Shoesmith
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Trisha Lord
Trustee
MoreTrisha Lord
I’m Trisha. I retired as the headteacher of a local Maintained Nursery School in December 2020. I got to know Emma through the early days of SELFA as part of a local group of headteachers and it has been amazing to see how SELFA has grown from its beginnings to the fantastic organisation that it is today! As a former SENCO I have particularly admired the support and quality provision for vulnerable children and young adults that SELFA offers and feel privileged to be able to contribute further now that the “day-job” is less demanding! In my spare time I enjoy walking, socialising and spending time with my four young grandchildren.