Chrissie Taylor

Patron

In 1999 I was asked to join a small team that oversaw the running of the eating disorders support groups. The team had a vision, they wanted a centre where people could come for support, and get it quickly. I trained in eating disorders and fundraising management, formed SYEDA, and opened our first centre in 2007 with Big Lottery Funding. After managing the centre until it became established I became a trustee. I worked part-time for Beat as an Associate Trainer until my retirement in 2010. I retired from being a trustee in October 2019 and was asked to become a Patron for SYEDA, a role I am honoured to fulfil and will endeavour to further the cause of our charity. I now volunteer for SAVTE and teach English to a Syrian lady. My hobbies are sea kayaking, cycling, numerous crafts and hanging out with my lovely family.

Matthew Peers

Chair

I have lived in Sheffield since 2010 when I started studying at the University of Sheffield. After graduating in 2014, I started work at Sheffield City Council. I have worked in a number of roles in the City Council across communications, public health, children’s mental health (jointly with Sheffield Clinical Commissioning Group) and special educational needs. I currently work as Strategic Commissioning Manager for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities at Sheffield City Council, a role I have been in since July 2019. I became a trustee in the summer of 2019 and work with other trustees and the team to help set the strategic direction of SYEDA.  

Steve Rippin

Trustee

I am an assistant headteacher and lead Special Educational Needs and Mental Health and Wellbeing at a Secondary School in Sheffield. I am passionate about mental health and wellbeing and joined as a trustee in 2020 to support the amazing work of SYEDA. In my spare time I like to be active outdoors and enjoy rock climbing, mountain biking and running.

Paul Mount

Trustee - Treasurer

Paul has been involved as a trustee of SYEDA since 2019. He became increasingly interested in eating disorders as his children became teenagers and talked about the difficult relationship many of their peers had with food. 

In Paul’s words:

“When a friend suggested becoming a trustee of SYEDA, I jumped at the chance. The team at SYEDA are passionate about providing a safe place to support people with eating disorders and their family and friends. It’s a privilege to be able to support the brilliant work the team does.”

Paul is an economist who has worked in a number of organisations during his 30-year career. He recently joined the Bank of England after ten years of working in the NHS. He holds an MSC in Economics from Warwick University and an MSC in Leadership (Quality Improvement) from Ashridge Business School. 

Paul lives in Sheffield and enjoys fell walking, running, and watching Sheffield United. 

Becky Wooley

Trustee

My name is Becky and I joined SYEDA as Trustee and Secretary in 2019. I studied in Sheffield as an undergraduate and fell in love with South Yorkshire. When I finished university in 2017, I started working at Rotherham Council as part of the Local Government Association’s graduate scheme, doing multiple placements in business transformation, policy and corporate improvement. In 2018, I started a new role at the Council working in policy, with a specific focus on partnership working and health. I am also currently studying for a Master’s degree in Public Health at the University of Manchester.

I’m passionate about mental health and have a personal interest in eating disorders due to the experiences of people I care about. Joining SYEDA was a great opportunity for me to build on this passion, and I was drawn to the ethos of the organisation, particularly the inclusivity. In my free time, I like to read, watch films, cook and take far too many pictures of my cat!