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. 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
Counselling Co-ordinator
Lucy is Frome Birth Talk's Counselling Co-ordinator, overseeing our day-to-day operations when it comes to referrals, arranging client sessions and responding to enquiries. She is also a trainee doula, podcaster, and mother living in Frome. Lucy is passionate about all things birth (particularly parental wellbeing) and finds deep satisfaction in connecting people with counselling services during their transition into parenthood, or when coping with loss.
You can contact Lucy by emailing info@fromebirthtalk.org.uk
Becky Newton
Volunteer Co-ordinator
Becky is the Volunteer Coordinator for Frome Birth Talk. She moved to Frome in 2014 with her 2 young daughters and dog. Becky has 15 years experience coordinating volunteers and also does this for Dorothy House Hospice.
She loves harnessing the generosity of spirit, skills and life experience the volunteers bring, and ensuring they have a rewarding volunteering experience. In her spare time Becky is a committed meditator alongside her life partner, and also a keen dog walker and yogi.
You can contact Becky by emailing bnewton@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
Jess Taylor
Chair of Trustees
Jess is our Chair of Trustees. In 2018 Jess moved to Buckland Dinham with her husband after spending a year backpacking around the world. They have two young boys, Indy & Marley, and a dog, Shelby. Jess has 15 years’ experience in the events industry and is currently working as a Commercial Manager and Health Champion for Bath & Northeast Somerset Council.
She is passionate about women’s health and is delighted to support people’s wellbeing during pregnancy and the first year of birth. When she gets the chance, she loves a wild swim.
You can contact Jess by emailing jtaylor@fromebirthtalk.org.uk
Laura Alexander
Vice-Chair
Laura is the Vice Chair of 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.
Laura’s connection to Frome Birth Talk began after her wife experienced a challenging pregnancy and birth. This personal experience sparked a deep commitment to supporting others facing similar difficulties.
You can contact Laura by emailing lalexander@fromebirthtalk.org.uk
Karen Patrick
Trustee
Karen is the founder of Frome Birth Talk, and is also our Safeguarding Lead. Karen has spent most of her working life supporting women, birthing people and their families, both in volunteer and paid roles; most recently as a midwife championing continuity of carer and the value of the therapeutic relationship.
She has three grown up children, believes that receiving proper support in early parenting can have lifelong benefits. Karen feels passionately that perinatal mental health should be destigmatised, and is proud to have founded an organisation which is providing both private counselling and thriving community support.
You can contact Karen by emailing kpatrick@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.
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.
Rebekah 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 metal health in parenthood, and is committed to reducing the stigma attached to parents reaching out for counselling support. Becks is a trustee who also covers our Counselling Coordinator role when Lucy is on annual leave or sick leave.
You can contact Rebekah by emailing rmau@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.
Jane
I have been working as a counsellor since 2013 and joined Frome Birth Talk in the summer of 2018. I enjoy working with Frome Birth Talk because it seeks in a practical way how to make the world a better and kinder place for parents and their babies.
In one sense, becoming pregnant and looking after a baby should be the most natural thing in the world, but that doesn’t mean it is easy! While often a source of joy, parenthood can be exhausting and frustrating. It can stir up uncomfortable feelings and vulnerabilities, challenging our closest relationships. These things can be difficult to talk about.
As a Frome Birth Talk counsellor, I seek to create a warm and non-judgmental place where mothers, potential mothers (and fathers too) can safely explore and navigate the transitions, the struggles and the emotions that accompany the journey of parenthood.
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.
Kat
I joined Frome Birth Talk as a student in early 2020, and qualified as a humanistic and integrative counsellor in 2022. I have loved growing with such a supportive organisation, and I feel privileged to be part of a service that is so valuable.
Pregnancy, motherhood and becoming a parent can be a challenging and overwhelming time, where finding faith in yourself and understanding the varying and sometimes conflicting emotions that arise can feel so hard. As a counsellor I hope to support people through this time in an open, warm and non-judgemental atmosphere where all feelings can be felt and explored.
I have a background working for the NHS in a cancer support role, and have also worked as a counsellor with a small private practice. In my spare time I enjoy running, painting, chatting and drinking coffee!
Kadie
I am a counsellor in training at Heartwood Counselling and Psychotherapy College, studying for an advanced diploma in Integrative counselling. 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 training 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.
Lynne
I am currently completing my training at Bath Centre for Psychotherapy and Counselling, following many years of volunteering in counselling roles alongside working in business and charity management.
My personal experience of birth and early parenting, some time ago, was 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.
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.