CEO, Counsellor & Supervisor

“I have been a counsellor with Focus since 2017. In 2019, I opened the Frome Practice, having harboured a long held passion to bring affordable, high quality person-centred counselling to my home town of Frome. As CEO, I am dedicated to our aim of fostering a culture of safety, warmth, compassion and understanding both inside and outside our organisation. In my spare time I enjoy reading, long country walks and wild water swimming.”

Clinical Lead, Counsellor & Supervisor

“Having started as a trainee at Focus in 2017, I quickly become an employed counsellor for them, and now have taken on the role as Practice Manager. I love the way in which Focus has supported so many different people, for more than 20 years. I feel it is a huge honour to help carry the legacy forward into the next chapter. Away from work I have a very full family life and am one of those mad runners who enjoys running as a way of relaxing.”

Finance Coordinator

“I’ve been an accountant for over 25 years and a counsellor since 2020. I believe that affordable counselling should be available for everyone and at Focus I get to exercise that belief while using all of my skills combined in one role. I joined Focus in February 2026 and I love being part of the Focus team knowing that we are helping so many people to maintain good mental health. I really feel that no one should struggle alone. In my spare time I love gardening and making abstract art and spend probably far too much time watching all the little creatures that live in my garden.”

Office Manager

I started at Focus in April 2024 after having worked as a Coordinator at a charity in Frome. I met many people who were struggling and I know how important it is to be listened to. Before moving to the UK in 2014 from the Netherlands I worked as an adult social care worker for many years. I subsequently worked as an Integrative massage therapist for 20 years in my own practice and trained and worked as a counsellor. I have an active social life here in Somerset and travel to the Netherlands regularly to see family and friends. Those same people frequent our home for short breaks to ramble through the green hills!

Practice Manager at Focus Frome

I am Fran and I am proud to look after the team and the busy service there.

I have volunteered and worked in mental health charities for over ten years and feel privileged to support people on their journey with Focus. 

Chairman

Andrew joined as a trustee in January 2022, (having previously served as a trustee and Vice-Chairman of Julian House) and was appointed Chairman in April 2022. His background is in business, having led organisations in Plc, Private Equity & Public Sector environments, latterly as CEO of The Royal Mint. His passions are sport - supporting Bath Rugby & Aston Villa, and helping the socially excluded & disadvantaged through his role at Focus.

Trustee

“I have been a trustee and the treasurer of Focus since early 2020. A chartered accountant by training, I spent most of my career in the Far East working in aviation and banking before coming back to Bath in 2001 to work in the City. I am passionate about the work Focus does every day to help and advise people.”

Trustee

“ My career background in Human Resources, both in the private and public sectors, provide useful experience and skills to offer to the Focus Board of Trustees. I am passionate about what we do, namely providing affordable, highly professional counselling to significant numbers of clients in a variety of critical areas. I would highlight our local schools work where we support many young people and help them deal the challenges of everyday life. “

Trustee

I worked in hospitality in London before moving to Bath in the early 80s, I was a full time mother for many years and doing house viewings for a local Estate Agent. I trained with Cruse Bereavement as a counsellor and with Dorothy House which I found very rewarding as I have always been interested in mental health and wellbeing. I am delighted to be joining Focus as a Trustee as affordable counselling for all is so important.

Trustee

As a qualified social worker I worked in local government for over 30 years working in a number of different roles in adult social care and mental health services. I specialised in Safeguarding adults, retiring in 2013.

Following retirement I then ran my own consultancy focusing on advising both public and private sector organisations in all aspects of safeguarding, organisational reviews, mentoring and training in related topics. During this period I have also been an active trustee of a hospice and a volunteer for Foodbank.

I am looking forward to bringing my past experience and skills to benefit the work of Focus.