The Team

ALANNAH

Hello, I’m Alannah and co-facilitate the Truro group. I am originally from Donegal in Ireland ☘️. I am currently working towards training in the mental health sector.

I know from experience that the 18-25 age group is a particularly hard age to navigate in life. I was lucky to have a good support network around me and now I want to help other young women with a safe space to talk where their views, voice and feelings matter. The Truro group is a great space for young women to connect with other peers who understand the path your travelling.

A wee bit about me outside of group! I have two little girls and two cockapoo’s who keep me busy. My other passions are weight training and I have now taken up running just so I can listen to my audiobook more. I believe exercise is so important to help us to feel better mentally as well as physically. I also love baking.

AMY

I’m Amy and I co facilitate the Falmouth group.

When I was a teenager I was diagnosed with social anxiety and I’ve been through, and continue to go through, many tough times with my mental health.

I have navigated my way through many life challenges so far and I want to support young women through theirs. I’m a huge believer in having informal conversations about mental health and holding non-judgemental spaces for anyone having difficulties with their mental health.

I know first hand how scary it can be to do something new and unfamiliar, but if you can make it to our session on a Monday in Falmouth you will be warmly welcomed as part of our community.

AMY PENZ

Georgia’s Voice is very close to my heart because I got involved after my cousin tragically took her own life, it’s been so inspiring to honour her legacy through helping people struggling the same way she did. I have struggled with my mental health too and I feel the most powerful thing that helped me was remembering that you’re not alone! I really believe in the healing power of community building and getting people together. In my job I work as a recovery worker for a drug and alcohol addiction service. I am also an artist and we often do crafty and creative things at group which I love doing.

CHARLOTTE

Hi I’m Charlotte, our online group facilitator.

I’m an Illustrator, and I enjoy working part-time with young people in education to help improve their confidence and build trusting relationships. I’ve always been passionate about giving young people a voice, and to recognise the importance of being listened to properly, and believed.

As a teenager and young adult, I struggled a lot with my mental health. I learned a lot from building a healthier relationship with myself and my body, and finding healthier coping mechanisms to process complex emotions.
Mental health services are so stretched, and long waiting lists prevent people getting help when they most need it. Our groups have no waiting lists or criteria to meet, and we know what a big step it is to ask for help. They are a safe space to be, where you can talk openly and be treated with kindness and no judgement.

Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected, and to know that they’re not alone in the world. We’re here for you because we care!

CIARA

My name is Ciara.

When I was asked to join GV I had no idea of the wonderful impact it would have on my life. For years I suffered with my mental health and as a child I was silenced by my abuser. I don’t want any other young person to suffer in silence.

I want every young person to be able to talk about how they are feeling and to know that they are important and what they say is important. That they are loved and really do matter.

EMMA

Hi my name is Emma and co facilitate the Redruth group with Julie.

I have been supporting young people for 23 years in a range of settings.

Making sure young people receive the information and guidance and support to move forward in life is important to me.

I have supported someone in my family for many years with their mental health, through the good times and bad. So having the opportunity to volunteer at Georgia’s voice is an honor. and 1 i’m very excited about.

I look forward to welcoming you to the group.

GENEVIEVE

Hi my name is Genevieve. I volunteer as a flexi facilitator, mainly covering the Newquay group.

I will also be working as a peer support worker for Georgia’s voice. I’m currently in my third year of my counselling training. I’m really passionate about supporting people who are struggling with their mental health. I feel Georgia voice is a much needed service within our communities. Allowing a space to support each other through difficult times . I feel it’s a real privilege to be part of Georgia’s voice, it’s a fantastic organisation that provides a safe inclusive space for so many people.

GEORGIE

Hi, my name is Georgie and I am the Flexi Facilitator for the St. Austell group.

I am so grateful to be a part of the Georgia’s Voice team. I have worked with young people in various settings for the last 15+ years, a career choice always driven by my own experience of mental health struggles from a young age. I missed a lot of School and College due to my mental health and I know the difference that Georgia’s Voice would have made to me. 

To be able to be there for the girls and share stories and show them that people care and are here to listen, and to provide hope that there is a life ahead is something that I am hugely passionate about.

IZZEY

Hi, my name is Ysella (also known as Izzey) and I co-facilitate the St Austell group.

Cornish born and raised, I love the sun on my skin, the sound of birdsong, citrus flavours, walks with my dog, and being outdoors in all seasons. I am a qualified counsellor with a private practice called Golowhe Therapy, and I continue to work in the outdoors with over a decades experience in a variety of roles.

Through leading many groups and activities, as well as my counselling experience with students of Cornwall College and Callywith College, it felt like the perfect opportunity to bring all this together and support Georgia’s Voice. The 18-25yo age group is often overlooked and, as we all know, can be such a challenging time in life to navigate for so many different reasons. So I am delighted to be able to be here, listen, and offer support for wherever life’s journeys take us, and look forward to meeting you soon.

JULIE

My name is Julie and I co-facilitate the Redruth group.

I am incredibly proud to be part of the Georgia’s Voice team, beautiful Georgia was my goddaughter.

I believe all young women deserve better, to attend a safe haven of friendly support groups, to be part of a cause, to enable young women to know about, promote and access local services that they may require.

To promote and help young women to establish and find the meaning behind wellness, self care and help build, boost and recognise their own self esteem and promote a healthy wellbeing to discover their true worth.

KARINA

Hi, my name is Karina and I am a co-facilitator for the Falmouth support group.

A little about myself – I have suffered for many years with my mental health and anxiety. After years of battling, I put myself through University at the age of 36. I got a diploma in Counselling development & youth work.

I joined the team of volunteers at GV Preloved Boutique & this gave me the confidence to train to become a facilitator.

Being along side the young ladies on their journey, being non judgemental & always willing to listen. Just having someone to talk to & to know they are listening can do so much for someone.

KAY

My name is Kay and I’m a co-facilitator for the Newquay group. Being a lady of a certain age, I have a lot of lived experience with mental health issues such as depression and ptsd, both myself and family members. I always say I have big ears for a reason, I’m always willing to listen.

I’ve been vegetarian/vegan for nearly 40 years, and I’m a huge animal lover. At the moment I have just one cat, who loves a snuggle. I’m interested in holistic therapies, and read tarot cards, and I’m also a lover of crafts. I have my dream job at the moment , teaching sewing, so you can expect to have lots of craft activities!

I make an awesome cup of tea (I’m awful at coffee though!) so I’ll happily put the kettle on.  I look forward to welcoming you to the group.

KIRSTY

Hi, I’m Kirsty and I am lucky to be part of the incredible team that makes up Georgia’s Voice.

My background sits within Admin, Finance and HR. I love being part of the GV team. It is an absolute privilege to work with such wonderful young women as well as an extraordinary team of hard working facilitators who run our support groups.

My main role consists of overseeing and managing our existing groups and the facilitators who run them, as well as recruiting new volunteers to join our ever expanding team and growing the areas we are in.

I am passionate and committed to reducing the suicide rate of young women and helping to support our team to offer a consistent and safe space to remind you all that You Matter!

LAURA

I am Laura and I co facilitate the Truro group.

I am a mother of 10 yrs old twins as well as being a psychologist student. I am from Argentina which is the country with more psychologists per capita than the whole world. This meant I grew up understanding how important it is to prioritise our mental health , without being judgemental and to talk openly about it which can promote awareness and reduce stigma.

I suffered and continue to suffer with mental health concerns, so I truly believe that offering a safe space to young ladies where they can share their experience, feelings and emotions is something that can help them to feel valued, listened to and supported.

I can say that joining to Georgia’s Voice as a volunteer was one of the best decisions I’ve made in years. It is such a a rewarding role and an amazing experience.

LOUISE

I’m Louise, one of the fab team of trustees for Georgia’s Voice, and I also facilitate the Penzance fortnightly group.

I’m a person-centred counsellor, and am fiercely passionate about accessible mental health services for all. I like to challenge the perceptions out there of counselling and mental wellness, and champion acceptance and authenticity. I’ve faced adversity in my own life and despite it being tough in places, I know it is all part of what makes me, me. I believe that showing kindness to ourselves/our situations can help with healing from our traumas. I’m really proud to be a part of the Georgia’s Voice team, and proud of how our services help young women.

And I’m proud of our group members and supporters! You really are all wonderful! When I’m not working you can find me pootling about Newlyn with my whippet Piper (you’ll hear loads about him when you meet me!), trundling about in Tessa (my counselling and general adventure wagon!), or getting fully immersed in a serial killer documentary (people truly are fascinating haha!).

MANDY

Hi my name is Mandy and I co-facilitate the Camborne Group.

Georgia was my Beautiful Granddaughter.

I am very passionate about helping young women who experience mental health issues.

Every young person deserves to be listened to.

I am dedicated to helping as many of you as possible.

MARGARITHE

My name is Margarithe and I’m a Flexi Facilitator.

I have an extremely energetic Old English Sheepdog puppy that keeps me on my toes with her antics. In between looking after the fluffball, I bake and decorate cakes, make teddy bears and have an interest in dolls house miniatures.I have worked with young people for the last 30 years and I am passionate about women being able to empower themselves and be the best that they can be. I moved from education to being a coach and mentor and it is rewarding and exciting to see transformation in young people’s lives. My family has been through and survived the trauma of suicide and this is one of the reasons that I have volunteered with Georgia’s Voice.

Everyone deserves to be heard, respected, accepted and cared for.

NICOLA

I’m Nicola and you can find me at the St Austell Group.

I work with women as an energy healer and life coach. I am passionate about self-development, the healing arts and mental health. I moved to Cornwall in 2020 after realising that any time I needed rest and respite from life I would come here as it felt like home. I love the life I have built for myself here and I have made so many incredible friends along the way.

When the opportunity to become a facilitator came up it felt so aligned as it is a cause that is close to my heart. I used to have quite poor mental health and suffered with depression and anxiety for many years. My life changed when a low point led to a spiritual awakening which inspired me to change my life. This led me down the path of empowering others to do the same. Spaces where we can be open about our lives and how we feel, or just come and be, and find acceptance and belonging are vital. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to support this wonderful community of women.

SHELLEY

As a Facilitator for the Penzance group, I am dedicated to creating a compassionate, safe space for young people facing mental health challenges.

My personal journey with depression as a teenager drives me to support others who may be going through similar struggles. Alongside my volunteer work, I serve as a Public Health Practitioner for children and young people in Cornwall, where I offer guidance on healthy lifestyles and have delivered suicide intervention skills training across the county. I also support parents and carers, helping them navigate the challenges their young people may face.

At the heart of our group is the belief that every young person deserves to feel heard, valued, and connected. We’re here to support each other, build resilience, and, just as importantly, to share some fun moments together. Creating a space where young people can be themselves is something I’m deeply passionate about.

TUESDAY

Hey there, I’m Tuesday, co-facilitator for the Newquay group.

I am so excited about this opportunity, as it is something not only close to my heart, but I also have personal experience with. I have lost friends to suicide and even had thoughts of it myself; I felt completely hopeless, full of despair and did not feel I had anywhere or anyone I could turn to. I couldn’t have imagined the life I lead today. It gives me great joy to be a part of an amazing organisation, which helps to provide a safe non-judgmental space and support for young women to come together, as a beacon of hope.

In my spare time, I help others with alcohol addiction through their recovery, as with most challenges in life, they’re easier to face when you’re not alone. I also volunteer with another organisation to improve access to the coast path in Cornwall, with the aim to improve health and wellbeing. I am passionate about personal growth and development, including continuing my studies in completing diplomas in similar fields such as life coaching, hypnotherapy and energy healing, to name a few.

To relax and unwind, I really enjoy loosing myself in a good book or having a soundtrack playing to sing and dance to. I also like getting out and having an adventure, near or far. Other things that light me up are my family, my dog (La Luna), cooking, astrology, tarot, board games and creative writing.

Looking forward to meeting you all and getting to know each other better!