Staff
People Matters has over 60 members of staff and volunteers who all work together to make our organisation the best that it can be. To see how we work together, see this diagram of our Organisational Structure.
We operate as both a charity and a social enterprise with an asset lock and are members of SEYH. (We were their social enterprise of the year in 2018). This means that we re-invest any surplus we make as an organisation in doing more things for our members and doing them better. As part of this we invest as much as we can in our staff such as through training so they can support our members in the best ways possible. This includes speaking out about what being a social care organisation is like both now in the pandemic and in the longer term. For more information on our approach and what we are doing to help support the social care profession look here.
Below you can learn about some of our staff team. From them you can learn more about other staff members that you may be in contact with through the different services that we offer.
Elissa Matley
CEO
My name is Elissa Matley, I have worked at PM since Sept 2014. My current role is Chief Executive Officer, so I oversee all service delivery in the organisation.
My background is from another health and social care organisation managing large outreach and supported living services. Whist there I specialised in setting up services for complex individuals.
I joined PM as we share the same values about delivering a person centred and holistic service to all members. I am keen for all the services we deliver to grow whilst maintaining the family feel.
Michael Eastwood
Charity Administrator
I am the charity administrator dealing with all our funding and expenditure, making sure that we have enough money to pay wages, rent, and so on. I also do the salaries so I am the most popular member of staff! As a break from numbers, I do some 1 to 1 support for some of our members.
I am an accountant and worked for over 20 years in practise before I joined People Matters in 2018, so this is my first role in the 3rd sector. I enjoy the variety that the job brings and especially being part of a wonderful team helping to make a difference in Leeds.
I was born and bred in Leeds – apart from a 3-year hiatus doing my degree in Wales – and in my free time I love reading. My background is very musical and I have a grade 8 in piano, violin, double bass and music theory.
Leah Cork
Service Manager
I have been working with People Matters since November 2016 and now manage one of our two Outreach support services as well the social groups and volunteering service. Since joining People Matters, I have also had roles as a support worker, a group leader for Teens and Twenties, a tutor, and the volunteer co-ordinator.
Before I started working for People Matters, I studied my degree at the University of Liverpool. During that time, I volunteered with charities in Leeds and Liverpool that support people with learning disabilities, autism, and other additional needs. I loved it so much that I decided to do it as a job! In my spare time, I love to bake, read, travel, and go on walks.
Laura Westbrooke
Service Manager
Steve Thackray
Service Manager – maternity cover
I joined People matters in 2021 and I’m on my third role as service manager, covering maternity leave.
I was born in the town of Otley just outside of Leeds. I did a degree in mathematical economics at the university of Birmingham then started in adult social care supporting University students with physical disabilities for 3 years (Staffordshire university). After moving back to Yorkshire I started as a senior support worker working with adults with learning disabilities working with a charity that I remained with for 22 years. My final post with them was working as a deputy manager across a number of supported living houses (mainly working with autistic adults).
From 2010 to 2020 I also acted as an occasional concert promoter, following the birth of my daughter at the start of the covid pandemic this part of my life is currently on hold.
Mandy Craven
Outreach Service and Well-being Group Coordinator
I started working as a bank support worker for People Matter in December 2019. I gradually increased my hours with People Matters as I eventually realised I would be happier just working here I like our people-centred approach and feel valued.
I am autistic and, unlike in my other job, have never had to apologise for this at People Matters. If anything, People matters embrace my autism and I am often approached by staff for ideas or insights so they better understand autism and improve their support of members.
As pandemic restrictions eased I became the group leader for the Saturday T & T Group. Then in autumn 2021 I became the Health & Wellbeing Project co-ordinator. In March 2022 I started as the co-ordinator for the second outreach service. At times the job can be challenging but the staff team are great. It’s lovely seeing the impact our support is having upon members and I’m extremely proud to be at the heart of this.
I have a BSc in dietetics. In my spare time I run Leeds Autism, Behaviour & Communication (ABC) Group. We are the local autistic charity and I run a weekly youth group as well as monthly parent support group for them. I also provide support on social media to families.
Anna Hudson
Outreach Service Coordinator
I have been working with People Matters since October 2020. Since then, I have worked as a 1-1 support worker and a group assistant for our adult social group. I have also just taken the role of a support service coordinator for one of our Outreach support services. Before starting at People Matters I graduated with a Textiles degree from Leeds Art University. I decided to pursue my level 1 in preparing to work in Adult Social Care at Leeds City College and was offered a 2-week placement with People Matters. Now here I am, and I’ve loved every minute of it!
In my spare time, I like baking, being creative and getting lost in a podcast.
Laura Clark
Employment Services and IAG Coordinator
Hello, my name is Laura Clark. I first began working for People Matters in July 2018, after completing my university placement. Since then, I have worked both as a support worker and then as a job coach for People Matters Employment Service. In 2021, I began coordinating the employment service and have continued to support members on a 1-to-1 basis. More recently, I have taken on the role of Information Advice and Guidance Coordinator and I enjoy supporting people to reach their full potential.
My goals of how I want to contribute to People Matters is to support more people to find paid or unpaid work and collaborate with local organisations and employers, so members have access to employment opportunities that match their skills and talents.
Johanna Viilo
Volunteer Coordinator & Staff development Coordinator
As a Volunteer coordinator I support volunteers at People Matters, organise student placements, recruit new volunteers and run the members council.
I’m also a Staff development coordinator: I coach support workers who are new to People Matters.
I completed a 3-month work placement at People Matters in 2017. I was studying a Social Services-degree in Finland and wanted to do one of my placements in England. I had such a great experience that I applied to work as a support worker when my placement ended. I have worked at People Matters in different job roles since then.
In my free time I like to travel, go on walks in nature and listen to music/podcasts.
Paul Marshall
Office Coordinator
My job is to ensure that Outreach services, adult & teens groups, and the employment service have everything they need to support our members, it can be as simple as providing tea & coffee for groups to keeping the photo copier fully stocked with paper. I still occasionally support our members but most days you’ll find me answering the phone in the office. My role is anything from boring and no two days are ever the same – the day always flies past too quickly. Out of work my family comes first but I have an unusual hobby I am a licensed Radio Amateur, in the summer you can find me in the photo pit at motorcycle rallies.
Saul Reuben
Administrator
My work as an Administrator involves managing and updating our online HR services, booking training, and working with the Office Coordinator and other managers.
I started working for People Matters in September 2016 through a 6-month placement with PLUSS, after which I became a volunteer. In September 2017, I started a permanent job as an Administrator.
I was a member of People Matters when the charity first started and was a member of the first adult group. I was given an award for my volunteer work with People Matters, and I continue to do voluntary work when I am not in the office.
Jane Hogan
Social Groups Coordinator
I Joined the People Matters Team in 2016 and worked as a support worker within the Outreach service, also working as a group assistant and then group leader within the social groups, before taking on the role of Social Groups Coordinator in 2021. Prior to this I worked for a number of years within Education and learning support and as an Outreach Worker with street Homeless.
In my spare time I love to garden, bird watch, read, watch far too much television and craft.
Theo Bedford
My Body, my Choice
I currently work as a support worker and coordinator helping to run groups across Leeds. These groups aim to provide the learning disability and neurodiverse community with extra support with their mental and physical wellbeing. I have worked in social care for around six years now and I previously worked within a house setting supporting people to recover from brain injuries. I very much enjoyed this job as it was exceedingly rewarding however I wanted to support people within their own communities. This is why I chose to come to People Matters and I have now been with the organisation for three years and I love it. I would like to continue working for People Matters supporting lots of different people and I would like to get involved with more unique projects that connect different charities across Leeds.
Sarah Parrish
I work in the office, with the managers at Barkston House. I am here to support staff and members in the Outreach Service and Employment. Helping get the right support for the right members.
I have spent a lot of years working with people, supporting their learning and development.
People Matters is very focused on each person and their goals and challenges. I want to support this for every member and staff member. Working towards success together.
