Our work wouldn’t be possible without our trustees, specialist volunteers and staff who lead and guide us.

Our Trustees

Val Baxter

I feel very privileged to be a member of the team of Trustees. I spent my professional career in the arts in various roles in dance, theatre and film. Access to all forms of artistic expression has been key to my work and I have collaborated with a wide range of community groups to encourage enjoyment of and participation in the arts, and to challenge personal and societal expectations.

Thinking outside the box and using the power of creativity to imagine, to question, to innovate and to help solve individual and collective problems has been at the heart of both my artistic output and my personal life.

Joy Cullwick

am passionate about promoting access to high quality and affordable counselling and psychotherapy so am delighted to be involved with YWCS as a specialist volunteer.

 I bring to this role the skills and experience gained from over twenty five years as a psychotherapist, counsellor, supervisor and trainer. I was a Senior Accredited Member of BACP and UKCP registered Gestalt Psychotherapist working in York NHS, Relate and private practice. My training work includes over ten years as a senior lecturer on the BACP accredited MA/ Diploma course in counselling and psychotherapy at Leeds Metropolitan (Leeds Beckett) University.

 I am committed to the highest standards of ethical and professional practice and worked with the Clinic for Boundary Studies (formerly ‘The Prevention of Professional Abuse Network’) to educate health and social care professionals about the importance of professional boundaries.

 In the 2021 - 22 civic year I had the privilege of being Lady Mayoress of York. It was important to me to host an event at the Mansion House to say ‘Thank you’ on behalf of the city to those who were addressing the tsunami of need for mental health support created by the pandemic. As a keen supporter of women’s empowerment it was also a joy to celebrate women with an event to mark International Women’s Day.

Anjelica Finnegan

I moved to the York area at the end of 2023 and I've been looking for the right opportunity to give back to my new local community. As a qualified Independent Domestic Violence Advisor, I am a passionate advocate for the safety, health and wellbeing of all women, especially those recovering from trauma. I was excited therefore to see that York Women's Counselling Service was looking for trustees.

Rather than follow a linear path, I've been lucky to be able to consciously pursue employment opportunities that best enable me to affect positive change.

I have held management and strategic positions within policy, research and frontline practice. Through these opportunities I have been able to, for example, build coalitions with external partners that resulted in national policy change improving the operating environment for small charities, create accessible content to help charities better manage their finances, and create and project manage a new service that re-imagines the way that a local authority responds to domestic abuse. I am excited to bring the skills and knowledge that I have gained throughout my career and volunteering to the YWCS trustee board and ensure that we can continue to deliver our vital work.

Sally Jude

I’m excited to join YWCS as a newly appointed trustee. I believe in people, their extraordinary ability to love, teach, share with and aid others, that kindness brings joy and everyone has something to offer. 

I started out in the private sector covering industries from retail to fireworks, moving to the public sector where I got to develop my love of food, cooking and sharing it with others. Nearly 9 years ago I made the move to the third sector where I’ve been able to call upon my management skills as a service manager and work as a lifelong learning tutor teaching cooking of course. 

Along the way I have grown my working knowledge in many areas including health and safety, data protection and then on a strategic level fundraising raising and business planning. I’ve also been a volunteer with the same organisation for over 25 years, training supporting other volunteers and keeping all involved safe. When I’m not working or volunteering I’m out walking Casper our Wheaten Terrier. 

Laila Hamade

I have always been interested in working in services to support mental health, and currently work as the Operations Manager for students' mental health at the University of York. I have previously worked in commissioning and service development of NHS mental health services for children and young people. 

As Counsellor, I find it an honour to work with people on their personal journeys, and incorporate my passion for mindfulness into my counselling work. Originally from Leeds, I have been living in York for seven years, I enjoy walking with my two dogs. Joining YWCS as a Trustee is a great opportunity for me to use my skills and experience for women in York. 

Jen Saunders

I moved to York in 2014 to pursue a career opportunity at a much loved and local food brand, I have spent the last 10 years focusing on my career development across a variety of commercial and strategic roles, of which I continue to enjoy today. 

I am passionate about equity and equality for women, and wanted to exercise the combination of my professional capabilities with the genuine interest and belief that all women should feel heard, seen and supported, hence joining the great charitable organisation of YWCS.

Our Specialist volunteers

Chloe Haines - Trauma and neurodiversity Consultant

After an undergraduate degree from York St John in Performance, I completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Education. I spent over a decade as a mainstream and special needs teacher, but began to feel that her passions lay more in welfare of children and their families.

I graduated with a Master's (Merit) in Dramatherapy from The University of Roehamoton. Since then, I gained broad clinical experience, most recently in Early Intervention in Psychosis and as Lead Therapist for a Children's Bereavement Service.  

I have always been involved in community charity projects and organisations and felt very fortunate to stumble across YWCS in 2018, when I joined as their only Dramatherapist. I have recently joined the board of trustees and I am passionate about continuing the vital work of the charity into the future. 

Kate Frusher - income generation

Having started my career with a focus on child rights and international development, I have built up 20 years' experience of fundraising, strategic planning and charity governance.  I have a degree in Law and Anthropology from The LSE and, over the course of my career, have worked with organisations right across the not-for-profit sector to help deliver vital services to vulnerable people with complex needs.

I have lived in York, with my partner and three young sons, since 2012.  As a passionate feminist and advocate for the benefits of talking therapies, I am thrilled to be supporting the staff and Board of Trustees with income generation.  I look forward to supporting this inspiring network of partners and volunteers to continue to deliver a positive impact for women in our community.

Our staff

Ruth Linton, Director

I’m thrilled to join the team at York Women’s Counselling Service, and to help further women’s empowerment and advocacy in this beautiful city. I grew up surrounded by strong, compassionate women, so politics and feminism came naturally to me, and lead me to pursue studies in gender, sexuality, and human rights law.

I have just about ten years of experience in charity operations and administration, where I developed a solid background in operational management, fundraising, and community outreach. A few years ago, I decided to take a leap into entrepreneurship and started a business that promotes cycling and sustainable travel, and to live and travel in Italy. This experience broadened my horizons and enriched my professional journey, providing fresh insights that I’m excited to bring back to the charity sector.