Meet the team
The people behind Unmasked, committed to making mental health support accessible to everyone.
Our people
The Unmasked team
One team working together to make mental health support accessible across our community.
Mel Stead
Volunteer CEO
I bring more than 30 years of experience in HR, leadership and supporting people and organisations through challenge and change. Alongside my work with Unmasked, I run my own luxury travel business, creating highly personalised holidays and experiences for my clients.
My role as CEO of Unmasked Mental Health is entirely voluntary because I wholeheartedly believe in the charity, its people and the difference we make. I believe everyone should be able to access the right mental health support without judgement, lengthy waiting lists or financial barriers. I work closely with our team, trustees, partners and funders to help Unmasked grow sustainably, reach more people and continue providing compassionate, community-based support.
Lynsey Judson
Counselling Lead & Clinical Supervisor
BACP Registered Therapist, Clinical Supervisor and qualified NUCO Mental Health First Aid Trainer
Experienced in trauma-informed practice and supporting people through life transitions.
BACP Registered
Cinzia Procter
Counselling Co-Ordinator
As the Counselling Co-ordinator at Unmasked Mental Health, I am passionate about ensuring that every person who reaches out to us receives the support, care and guidance they need.
I am a BACP registered Therapist and my role involves overseeing the counselling service, coordinating referrals and working closely with our team of counsellors to ensure clients are matched with the most appropriate support. I understand that taking the first step towards counselling can feel overwhelming, so I am committed to making the process as welcoming, compassionate and seamless as possible.
I believe that everyone deserves access to a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space where they can be heard and supported. It is incredibly rewarding to help people begin their journey towards improved mental health and wellbeing, and I take great pride in being part of that process.
Being part of Unmasked Mental Health allows me to work alongside an inspiring team that is dedicated to making a real difference within our community. I am proud to contribute to a service that puts people first, helping individuals feel empowered, supported and hopeful as they move forward on their mental health journey.
BACP Registered
Nicola Freemantle
Community Engagement Manager & Fundraising Lead
I'm Nic an honorary Yorkshire lass moving up from the south when I was late teens.
I’ve worked in the charity sector for over eight years and feel incredibly lucky to do a job I’m passionate about. I love supporting people, building genuine connections, and making a positive difference in my community. Helping others is at the heart of everything I do, and I enjoy working with people from all walks of life to help them feel supported, valued, and empowered.
Outside of work I have a busy family life and love to walk my dog and spend time relaxing and listening to music and reading.
Lindsey Thompson
Community Engagement Manager & Fundraising Lead
I am a community engagement manager here at Unmasked Mental Health. I help facilitate all of our peer support and wellbeing groups, as well as managing our fabulous team of volunteers.
I have worked in mental health within the charity sector for many years and believe that mental wellbeing support should be accessible for everyone. Having my own lived experience of mental health gives me invaluable insight into the barriers that people face every day and I am passionate about supporting the community, working with other services and raising awareness to improve mental health services so they are available when they are needed the most.
Alicia Hamber-Scott
Training, Impact & Insights Manager
As Training, Impact & Insights Manager, I bring more than two decades of experience in leading people, shaping culture and supporting organisational growth. My background spans project management, ED&I leadership, mental health facilitation and counselling skills training. This mix has shaped the way I work, person‑centred first, evidence‑based, and grounded in the real human experience.
At the heart of my work is a simple belief, when people feel understood, supported and empowered, organisations thrive.
With curiosity, compassion and clarity, my aim is always the same, to create learning experiences that make a real difference, spaces where individuals can explore, reflect and grow without judgement, leading to meaningful, sustainable understanding and change.
Sharna McWilliam
Marketing Manager
As Marketing Manager at Unmasked Mental Health, I am passionate about using marketing as a force for positive change. I lead the charity's marketing and communications, creating campaigns that raise awareness, promote our services, support fundraising initiatives and strengthen relationships with local businesses and communities.
My focus is on telling meaningful stories, building partnerships and ensuring that more people know where to find support when they need it most. From social media and event promotion to community engagement and business collaborations, I am committed to helping Unmasked Mental Health grow its reach and make a lasting difference.
I believe that open conversations can change lives, and I'm proud to play a part in breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health while supporting our mission to ensure that no one has to face their struggles alone.
Dylan McWilliam
Senior Counselling Administrator
As the Senior Counselling Administrator at Unmasked Mental Health, I am passionate about helping people access the support they need in a welcoming, compassionate and professional environment.
I work closely with our counselling team to coordinate referrals, manage appointments and ensure that our services run as smoothly as possible. I understand that reaching out for support can be a difficult first step, so I aim to make every interaction reassuring, respectful and as stress-free as possible.
I take great pride in being part of a charity that is dedicated to improving mental health and wellbeing within our community. Knowing that my role helps people access the support they need is incredibly rewarding, and I am committed to ensuring everyone who contacts Unmasked Mental Health feels heard, valued and supported from the very beginning of their journey.
I am proud to be part of a team that is making a positive difference every day, helping to create a safe space where people can access the support they deserve.
Richard Greenwood
Counselling Co-Ordinator
I am a fully qualified BACP Registered Therapist
BACP Registered
Andy Carter
Counselling Co-Ordinator
As the Counselling Coordinator for Unmasked Mental Health, I bring a deep commitment to accessible, compassionate mental health support. Alongside my work with Unmasked, I am a fully qualified BACP Theraist and I run a full-time private practice, bringing extensive clinical experience to my role here.
Working with Unmasked allows me to be at the heart of our service to ensure that clients, counsellors, and the team are fully supported. It involves conducting initial client consultations to carefully pair individuals with the counsellor best suited to their needs. Alongside this, I support to our team of Unmasked counsellors, ensuring a compassionate, organized, and high standard of care across the board.
My background has taught me the vital importance of safe, non-judgmental spaces where people feel truly heard and valued. Whether you are taking your first steps toward counselling or looking for guidance, I am proud to be part of an organization that champions mental health without stigma.
BACP Registered
Jayne Wroot
Receptionist & Administrator
As the Receptionist and Administrator at Unmasked Mental Health, I am proud to be one of the first friendly faces and voices people encounter when they contact our charity. I understand that reaching out for support can feel like a big step, so I always strive to create a warm, welcoming and compassionate environment where everyone feels comfortable and respected.
My role involves supporting the day-to-day running of the charity, managing administrative tasks, welcoming visitors and helping to ensure our services run smoothly. Whether I'm answering the phone, assisting clients, supporting our team or helping behind the scenes, I am committed to making every interaction a positive one.
I am passionate about providing excellent support and believe that kindness, empathy and understanding can make a real difference. Being part of Unmasked Mental Health is incredibly rewarding, and I feel privileged to work alongside such a dedicated team, helping to ensure that everyone who comes to us feels valued, supported and never alone on their mental health journey.
Adele
Volunteer Receptionist & Administrator
Governance
Our trustees
Our board of trustees provides oversight and guidance, helping Unmasked stay true to its mission.
Helen Naylor
Trustee
Helen has worked in HR for over 20 years and brings extensive experience of supporting organisations, managers and employees through a wide range of workplace challenges. Throughout her career, she has developed a particular understanding of the importance of employee wellbeing and the significant impact that poor mental health can have on individuals, their families, colleagues and the wider workplace.
Helen first became involved with Unmasked Mental Health around six years ago, when the HR consultancy she worked for partnered with the charity (then a CIC) to offer mental health first aid training to organisations. Through that partnership, Helen gained a greater insight into the work of Unmasked and the difference its services make within the local community. Since then, she has continued to support the charity by providing HR support, partnering with the charity to host employer workshops, attending and volunteering at events and helping to raise awareness of the support available, before joining the Board of Trustees.
In her work as a HR professional, Helen regularly sees employees experiencing mental health difficulties and understands how challenging it can be for them to access appropriate help. Long waiting lists for counselling and other professional services can leave people without the support they need at a particularly vulnerable time. Unmasked Mental Health provides an invaluable alternative, enabling individuals to access low-cost and subsidised counselling services and other forms of support more quickly and giving Helen a trusted organisation to which she can signpost employees.
Helen is equally passionate about the importance of prevention and early intervention. While timely support during a period of poor mental health is essential, she strongly believes in creating opportunities for people to connect, talk and seek help before reaching crisis point. Through its community peer support hubs, wellbeing activities, workplace wellbeing support, mental health training and employer services, Unmasked Mental Health plays a vital role in reducing isolation, encouraging open conversations and creating more supportive communities and workplaces.
As a Trustee, Helen brings a practical, people-focused perspective to the Board, alongside her knowledge and experience of HR, employment practices and organisational development. She is proud to contribute to an organisation she has supported for many years and is committed to helping Unmasked Mental Health continue to grow, develop and make a meaningful difference to the people and communities it serves.
Lucy Harper
Trustee
I am an experienced transformation leader with a passion for improving people's lives through effective leadership, innovation, and strong governance. Throughout my career in the UK Civil Service and financial services, I have led major change programmes, helping organisations deliver sustainable improvements, navigate complexity, and achieve meaningful outcomes for the people they serve.
Alongside my professional experience, I have a longstanding commitment to mental health and wellbeing. I am passionate about creating environments where individuals feel supported, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential. Having experienced periods of challenge that affected my own mental health, I have developed a personal understanding of the importance of support, resilience, and access to effective coping strategies. While some approaches proved valuable and others less so, these experiences have given me insights that I hope can help and support others facing similar challenges.
As a Non-Executive Director, I bring strategic insight, constructive challenge, and a collaborative approach to decision-making. I am committed to supporting organisations in delivering their mission, strengthening governance, and maximising their impact for the communities they serve.
Outside of work, I am a proud mother to my son, Charlie, and devoted owner of my fur baby, Hero. I am also passionate about art and enjoy pursuing creative projects in my spare time, finding creativity to be an important source of balance and wellbeing.
Rachael Leister
Trustee
Rachael Leister is an experienced marketing and communications leader with nearly two decades of experience building brands, leading high-performing teams, and driving sustainable organisational growth across the hospitality, tourism, and commercial sectors.
Throughout her career, Rachael has worked across every aspect of marketing, including brand strategy, communications, digital marketing, public relations, customer experience, commercial partnerships, and organisational change. She has successfully led major rebrands, business transformations, and culture-focused initiatives, combining strategic thinking with a deeply people-centred approach.
Passionate about creating environments where people feel able to thrive, Rachael is particularly interested in the role that communication, culture, leadership, and wellbeing play in supporting mental health. Her experience developing teams, mentoring colleagues, and championing inclusive workplace cultures has given her a strong understanding of the challenges individuals face both professionally and personally.
As a Non-Executive Director of Unmasked Mental Health, Rachael brings commercial expertise, strategic insight, governance support, and a commitment to helping organisations create greater awareness, understanding, and support for mental health. She is driven by the belief that everyone should feel able to be their authentic selves and access the support they need to live healthy, fulfilling lives.