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.

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.

Leah Cork

Director of Operations

I have been working with People Matters since November 2016 and I’m now Director of Operations. This means that I oversee all the services delivered to our members. Since joining People Matters, I have also had roles as a Support Worker, Group Leader for Teens and Twenties, Tutor, Volunteer Co-ordinator, and Service Manager.

Before I started working for People Matters, I studied a psychology degree at the University of Liverpool. During this time, I volunteered with charities in Leeds and Liverpool that support people with learning disabilities, autistic people and people with 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, go on walks, and particularly enjoy karaoke.

Laura Westbrooke

Service Manager

As the Service Manager, my job is to oversee all the one to one support we provide to our members. That’s approximately 700 hours per week!

My background is in Fine Art and Teaching which I studied at University. I taught art to adults with learning disabilities for 5 years before I became the Service Manager, as well as doing other roles alongside of this.

I initially joined People Matters to change career path and do something different. I quickly realised we shared the same values which is to provide person-centred, inclusive and meaningful support and to help people positively engage in their communities. It’s now been 8 years, and I love my job!

Mandy Craven

Outreach Service Coordinator

I started working as a bank support worker for People Matter in December 2019. At the time I was also working for another company and running Leeds ABC Group (a local autism charity). I gradually increased my hours with People Matters and eventually realised I would be happier just working for them. I like their people-centred approach and feel valued here.

I am autistic and I 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.

I have had several roles at People Matters. I started as one of the Outreach Service Co-ordinators in March 2022. This role makes me feel like I am making a real difference to our members and I take a keen interest in all of those that I am directly involved with. I also have an excellent relationship with all of the Outreach staff team.

I am also one of the People Matters Mental Health Champions so offer support and guidance to my colleagues if they need it.

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

As a Volunteer Coordinator I support volunteers at People Matters, organise student placements, recruit new volunteers and run the members council. I also work in the employment service doing admin support.

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.

Christine Sharpe

Wellbeing Coordinator

Hi, my name is Christine and I’ve been at People Matters since summer 2021. I started as a support worker and have taken on other responsibilities including Teens and Twenties Group Leader and Mental Health Champion. More recently, I became the Wellbeing Coordinator, leading the Safer Communities Project.

I love working with so many different people and doing different activities throughout the week with our lovely members including exercising at the gym, pottery painting, bowling and table tennis!

I am from Liverpool, and came to Leeds for university studying theology and religious studies. I like the city so much I’ve stayed – in my spare time, I’m likely to be cooking for friends and snuggling with my cat Baby. I also love karaoke and trying craft activities!

Nick Shelton

Development Coordinator

I joined People Matters in 2021 as a Job Coach and have had many different roles since then.

I currently run Nourishing People and am happy to say that it is member led and rapidly expanding.

I have done many different jobs in my time but working at People Matters has been the only job I have wanted to get up for every day. This is the only company I have known that supports people to reach their full potential, whether staff or member.

In my spare time I go walking and visit nature spots. I am particularly fond of gannets. I also play Dungeons and Dragons and have recently set up a new group aimed at people with disabilities. I would not have been able to do this without People Matters support.