About Us
Meet the People Behind Frome Birth Talk
At Frome Birth Talk, our team is united by a shared passion for supporting parents and families in the Frome area. We’re a small, dedicated charity working tirelessly to provide mental health support and counselling services for those navigating the highs and lows of parenthood.
From running support groups to organising fundraising events, everyone on our team plays a vital role in creating a caring, inclusive, and empowering environment.
Meet The Team
Suzy Cristinacce
Director
Suzy is Frome Birth Talk’s Director, responsible for the overall growth and management of the charity, as well as our Safeguarding Lead. She is also a yoga teacher and mother of three children. Suzy has a long history of working with charitable organisations, both in the UK and abroad. She came to Frome Birth Talk because of her belief in the power of community and communication to support and heal.
You can contact Suzy by emailing scristinacce@fromebirthtalk.org.uk
Lucy Hill
Operations Manager & Communications Lead
Lucy is Frome Birth Talk's Operations Manager & Communications Lead, overseeing the day-to-day running of the organisation. She manages the logistics of our counselling service as well as leading on our communications. She also enjoys working on Frome Birth Talk's business development and growth. She is also a trained doula, podcaster, and mother living in Frome. Lucy is passionate about all things birth, particularly parental wellbeing.
You can contact Lucy by emailing info@fromebirthtalk.org.uk
Vicki Ross
Volunteer Co-ordinator
Vicki is the Volunteer Coordinator for Frome Birth Talk. She also runs Tiny Hearts through the Good Heart Cafe, and has lots of experience in working with volunteers and local families.
You can contact Vicki by emailing vross@fromebirthtalk.org.uk
About Our Trustees
Our trustees are the backbone of Frome Birth Talk, guiding the charity’s mission and ensuring we provide the best possible support to the community. With experience in healthcare, finance, education, and community development, our trustees bring diverse expertise to help us grow and thrive.
They are committed to making a difference for families in Frome and beyond, volunteering their time to oversee governance, fundraising, and strategic planning. Together, they help us remain focused on our vision: to be a lifeline for parents when they need it most.
Meet The Trustees
Laura Alexander
Chair of Trustees
Laura is the Chair of Trustees at Frome Birth Talk. After growing up near Frome and spending a decade in London, she returned to the area and now lives with her wife, their son, and a lively springer spaniel.
With over ten years in director-level roles, Laura is currently the Commercial Director at St John’s Foundation in Bath, overseeing their commercial strategy across the BaNES region. She also leads the charity’s trading company, managing its business operations.
You can contact Laura by emailing lalexander@fromebirthtalk.org.uk
Annette Schwalbe
Trustee
Annette is a somatic & creative arts psychotherapist with 25 years of experience in private practice and various charity settings. For ten years, she lived in Pakistan, Mali, Uganda and Kenya where she worked with homeless young mothers and families living with HIV Aids. Since returning to Somerset, her most recent role has been as clinical lead with Kinergy in Bristol, supporting survivors of sexual abuse.
Annette is a birth and foster mother to three young adults. As her eldest was born in Frome at a time when there was little extra support for new parents, Annette is delighted to now support FBT’s work as trustee.
You can contact Annette by emailing aschwalbe@fromebirthtalk.org.uk
Aaron Calver
Trustee
Aaron is the Treasurer for Frome Birth Talk. He moved from Dorset to Frome in 2023, having been treasurer for a Dorset based charity since 2015. He trained as an accountant and Chartered Tax Advisor, running his own business until 2022 when he exited this to begin a 4-year training as a psychotherapist; an area of work he cares deeply for.
In his spare time Aaron can be found outdoors, enjoying time in the mountains and hills, running and keeping active.
You can contact Aaron by emailing treasurer@fromebirthtalk.org.uk
Annabel Litchfield
Trustee
Annabel is a Trustee for Frome Birth Talk. Annabel and her partner moved to Frome in 2020 and had a little boy soon after at Frome Community Hospital.
Annabel received support from Frome Birth Talk in her first year as a mum and found it invaluable. Annabel currently works as Impact & Learning Manager for Somerset Activity Sports Partnership, and has over 10 years’ experience in evaluation, impact and learning.
She is currently supporting Frome Birth Talk with the evaluation of their services and understanding the impact they are having on the people they support. Annabel loves doing physical activity and enjoys taking her son down to the local Parkrun for a run.
Rebecka Mau
Trustee
Rebecka has a background in project management and education, and is also a breastfeeding peer supporter. She is mum to two lively boys and is passionate about strengthening communities around new parents and during early childrearing years.
Rebecka is always keen to have open conversations around mental health in parenthood, and is committed to reducing the stigma attached to parents reaching out for counselling support.
You can contact Rebecka by emailing rmau@fromebirthtalk.org.uk
Gail Norris
Trustee
As someone who has previously benefitted on a personal basis from the services of Frome Birth Talk, Gail is delighted to have joined the team of Trustees. She brings with her professional experiences of a career in health care and charity settings as well as a specialism in volunteer management.
When she is not at work or navigating parenthood, Gail can usually be found doing something creative. Gail's main passion is travelling and she says if time and money were no barrier she would spend the rest of her life exploring the world with her family. On the flip side, Gail dislikes cooking and is a disaster in the kitchen...but loves good food when it's made by other people!
You can contact Gail by emailing gnorris@fromebirthtalk.org.uk.
Holly Brown
Trustee
Holly currently works as People Transformation Advisor for Hargreaves Lansdown, and has 10 years of experience as a HR generalist across a number of sectors including Professional, Financial and Charity.
Having had her first child in 2020, Holly feels passionately about creating a supportive community around new and expectant parents and providing them with the support they need in a safe and inclusive environment.
Holly loves getting outside on a dog walk, and enjoying great food and wine with friends!
You can contact Holly by emailing hbrown@fromebirthtalk.org.uk
About Our Counsellors
Our counselling team is the heart of our services, offering free, professional support to parents and families. Each of our counsellors is either fully qualified or undergoing professional training, bringing compassion, skill, and understanding to every session.
Whether in person or via Zoom or telephone, our counsellors provide a safe, non-judgmental space where parents can explore their feelings and find support. They have extensive experience working with issues such as postnatal depression, baby loss, and the challenges of adjusting to life with a new baby.
We’re incredibly proud of our counselling team and the difference they make every day.
Meet Our Counsellors
Helen
I joined Frome Birth Talk in June 2018 as a counsellor. I find working with women in pregnancy and the perinatal period very rewarding, and I feel proud to be connected to Frome Birth Talk.
I’ve been working as a counsellor since 2003 in a variety of settings, including higher education, cancer support, workplace counselling, sexual abuse, and general private practice for individuals and couples. A fascination with the workings of the human mind had taken me into a psychology degree in the early 90’s, and after having my family I trained as a counsellor – work which is always enriching.
When not working with clients I love to read and listen to audiobooks, and I’m outdoors as often as possible – walking or gardening. I love dancing too - Lindy hop, salsa, or just jigging about in the kitchen – it never fails to lift me.
Amanda
I joined Frome Birth talk in October 2018 and feel very fortunate to be part of a team whose values of care, connection and support I share deeply.
Parents need and deserve support particularly during pregnancy and early motherhood with all its expectations, hopes and fears. This is a huge period of change in a woman’s life, and whilst a new baby brings joy, it can also bring challenges, uncertainty, and many new demands. At times this can be overwhelming and isolating, especially if it has been harder than imagined, and having a warm, welcoming, non -judgemental person with whom to freely explore how it is for you really helps. This is the reason I enjoy working with Frome Birth Talk and being able to support families at such a pivotal time in their and their babies’ lives.
Additionally, I work for a Wiltshire based charity and I have my own private practice.
Tracy
My background is in nursing and I retrained as a counsellor in 2016. I joined FBT as a trainee and felt very lucky to be offered a position once I qualified.
I am an integrative counsellor, which means that I use a variety of therapeutic approaches to suit you as an individual. I work gently and collaboratively, providing a safe and supportive space to explore the difficulties you are experiencing in the hope of moving towards a greater sense of calm.
It’s great to be part of the amazing team at FBT, I think it’s incredible that a small group of women started the charity which has grown and been able to support so many over the years.
Melina
I’m Melina and I was born in Bolivia but now live in Frome. I started working with Frome Birth Talk in November 2021 as a trainee counsellor, and I qualified in Humanistic and Integrative Counselling in 2024.
Having studied the process of child development during the early years and during pregnancy, I came to realise that the support I can offer parents can provide wide ranging and long-lasting benefits for the whole family.
I’m grateful to be able to contribute to the Frome community via Frome Birth Talk.
Lynne
I joined Frome Birth Talk as a trainee, and am now qualified as a humanistic and integrative counsellor. I previously worked in business and charity management and volunteered for many years in counselling roles.
My personal experience of birth and early parenting, some time ago, was sometimes difficult, and I was drawn to Frome Birth Talk as an organisation that welcomes people wishing to discuss such sensitive issues without judgement.
I try to offer a safe and kind space for you to be heard as you explore the things that matter to you at a time of great change in which we can feel unseen and alone.
Kat
After working in the NHS for many years I started with Frome Birth Talk as a student in March 2020, and qualified as an humanistic and integrative counsellor in 2022.
Working as a counsellor with people during pregnancy, after loss and in the early days of becoming a parent is such an important and valuable role. Parenthood can be a time of extreme change, intense emotions and challenges, and having a space where you can talk all of this through and feel supported and validated can make a huge difference. As a counsellor I work in an integrative way and aim to provide a warm, non-judgemental and safe space where people can explore their emotions, truly express themselves and navigate any challenges they may be facing.
Kadie
I joined Frome Birth Talk as a trainee, before qualifying with an advanced diploma in Integrative counselling from Heartwood Counselling and Psychotherapy College. Having volunteered with listening services and mental health charities for many years, I have always been passionate about supporting people through the highs and lows of life. I was drawn to counselling after my own very nuanced experience of pregnancy and early motherhood, a time of great change and challenge for so many, and am grateful to be supporting the work of Frome Birth Talk.
I hope to offer a safe, non-judgmental space for you to explore how you are truly feeling and for you to feel seen in whatever you are facing. My integrative training means that I work collaboratively and flexibly, ensuring you are at the centre of everything we do.
Esmeralda
I am currently training for my counselling qualification through Heartwood Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy, via Frome Birth Talk’s student placement opportunity.
I am really enjoying working with clients and getting real life experience whilst being supported by my college, Frome Birth Talk and my external supervisor.
Kirsty
I am a yoga and Pilates instructor and began training to become a psychotherapist 4 years ago. I'm excited to be completing a student placement with Frome Birth Talk.
I'm also a Mum to 2 young boys and care deeply about supporting parents in the early stages of parenthood. I am passionate about helping parents find trust within themselves, with compassion, empathy, and non-judgement.
I also have experience working with bereavement, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, relationships, gender identity and sexual abuse. I offer a safe and accepting therapeutic space.
Anaïs
Hi, I’m Anaïs (An-eye-yeese). I am a trainee counsellor at Basingstoke College of Technology and I am so happy to be working with Frome Birth Talk.
My philosophy for counselling is all about learning about people and their unique worlds, so that my clients can feel heard, understood and important. I think counselling can be so beneficial for any point in life, but for new parents and anyone who has experienced baby loss, I feel it is an especially vital time to navigate these challenging transitions.
Aside from mental health and counselling, my greatest passions are wildlife, nature and photography. I love documenting the world around me whilst clearing my mind and feeling refreshed.
Bryony
I am a counsellor in training, studying the Person Centred approach for a CPCAB HTQ in Therapeutic Counselling. I aim to offer a warm, empathetic, and grounded presence in all my counselling work.
I was drawn towards working with Frome Birth Talk because of the deep understanding I have for the challenges that can be faced during pregnancy and birthing, or after loss. The adjustment into parenthood itself can be a time of great change and extreme emotions. I hope to offer a space for you to explore these feelings, safely and without fear of judgement.
My path into counselling has been shaped by a diverse background, including a career in natural organic foods, volunteering with refugee families and running a parent and child group. These experiences have strengthened my belief in holistic wellbeing, compassion, and the importance of connection, whether it be to one another, or to our own inner world.