GILLIAN BURKE
Meet our very first charity patron, Gillian Burke, biologist, presenter, public speaker, voiceover artist, writer and mother.
“While I am so excited to be working with Georgia’s Voice, there are so many other words that spring to mind; challenging, sobering, humbling, and inspiring.”
“While my work for the BBC focuses on nature and the environment, I have long talked about the importance of showing up for each other.”
“This is the chance to do just that. It is a real honour and I look forward to working with the charity.”
Founding Director
SOPHIE
I’m Sophie and I am the founder/director of Georgia’s Voice.
Preventing suicide in young women is my life’s passion, all the love I have for my beautiful daughter Georgia goes straight into this charity!
Together with the amazing team we have here at Georgia’s Voice, we work hard to ensure every young woman in Cornwall can access our services, we help our members gain access to professional mental health services, to feel part of a community, and above all we make sure their voices are heard ????
Our Trustees
LOUISE
I’m so passionate about contributing to a better experience of mental health support in Cornwall that it made complete sense for me to be involved at trustee level with Georgia’s Voice. I want to help affect change in our communities to ensure no one feels they have no options left and are not being heard by someone.
Georgia’s legacy is to highlight the challenges young women are facing, and if I can help that message get across in even a small way then it will be worthwhile.
SARAH
Hi, I have been a trustee of Georgia’s Voice since the charity was started. I feel very strongly about the availability of support for young women suffering with their mental health.
I am a Mum of a teenage girl and it’s good to know that there is support out there if she or anyone she knows needs it. I have worked with the Bristol Youth Offending Team and the charity Big Brothers and Sisters in the past.
JULIE
Being a trustee for me is hugely about being part of a cause and a movement that is making a difference to the young women who need and receive help and support from the charity and it’s also about utilising and adapting my skills and experience I have in my career as a Service Manager who supports adults with Learning Disabilities. I’ve always been driven to help and support others, I do this by supporting people to understand their own true wealth by understanding their own strengths, capabilities and empowering them to have acceptance of themself.
Sadly the opportunity for young women to access the Mental Health Services is not available to everyone but here at Georgia’s Voice we are all truly passionate about improving the support that is available to each and every young woman.
Providing mental health support to help change their lives and make them better, I truly believe that the power of women working collectively at grass roots levels is never to be underestimated. This is why I’m truly honoured to be a trustee for Georgia’s voice.
KIRSTY
Hi, my name is Kirsty and I am honoured to be a trustee for GV.
My role as a trustee is to ensure that every decision we make is centred around our wonderful members. I work with the board to make important decisions for GV, make plans and strategies and ensure we are always working within our charities visions and values.
My background sits with HR and Accounts and I feel I bring a strong and compassionate offering to the charity to ensure we are compliant, accountable and responsible.
Our 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.
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.
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.
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.
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!