Our people – Leeds

Staff

Debra Horsman - Haven Programme Manager

Debra Horsman was previously a Senior Breast Care Nurse for 14 years in Yorkshire and former Chair of the Yorkshire Cancer Network’s Breast Care Group.  Debra started nursing in 1976 at Wharfedale General Hospital, Otley where she stayed until 1996.  She worked in many different areas from paediatrics to care of the elderly.  Whilst at Otley, Debra became involved with people affected by breast cancer and set up a support group ‘Bosom Pals’.  Her career path then changed and she joined Norma Russell OBE in the Bradford breast care team and also worked with the palliative care team.  Debra manages a team of experienced therapists and health professionals to ensure the effective delivery of The Haven’s innovative care programme to support the needs of anyone affected by breast cancer.

 
Deb Hope - Receptionist

Deb previously worked for St Anne’s Community Services as Reception/Administrator and prior to that for HSBC and Yorkshire Electricity. Deb has considerable experience as a Receptionist with Yorkshire Bank whom she worked for over 10 years as Head Receptionist.

Deb lost her mum to breast cancer enabling her to understand at first hand the positive effects support and complementary therapies have on both the patient and family members. This experience encouraged her to work for The Haven and she sees this as an exciting opportunity to contribute to its growing success

Liz Barran - Yorkshire Fundraising Manager

Yorkshire Fundraising Manager Liz Barran has been fundraising for over 10 years at a range of third sector organisations.  Liz began her fundraising career with Face to Face Fundraising where she managed 14 members of staff before becoming Fundraising Manager at Pontefract Hospice.  Liz then took the step up to a larger charity in the NSPCC where she became Corporate Fundraising Manager enjoying many successes.  Liz joined The Yorkshire Haven as Fundraising Manager in August 2011 and settled into the role immediately.

Liz has been happily married to husband Matt for 10 years and has 3 young children Grace, Thomas and Esme. 

Tom Robertshaw - Yorkshire Community Fundraiser
Tom lives in Bradford and studied there for 3 years, completing a BA honours in Marketing Communications where he developed a keen interest for fundraising, events organisation and charity work.  Tom joined The Haven as a Fundraising Assistant in February 2009 and quickly settled into the role enjoying many successes in his first year.  As a reward for these successes Tom was promoted to Yorkshire Community Fundraiser in February 2010 and is thoroughly enjoying his new responsibilities.

Carol Williams - Office Manager

Carol has an extensive administration and managerial background and also ran her own Image Consultancy for 10 years.  During this time she became interested in Complementary Therapies and trained in reflexology and hypnotherapy.  Carol joined The Haven as she wanted to realise her long held ambition of using her commercial expertise to help others.  Carol is responsible for the building, reception staff and supporting the clinical and fundraising teams.

Therapists

Kath Antonis - Medical Herbalist

Kath has been working as a professionally qualified Medical Herbalist since 2000 in practice and also in recent years, in teaching.  She has a background of over 20 years in Children’s Nursing which informs and enriches her practice.  Her passion is to share knowledge and enable people to learn about our rich herbal traditions, especially the practical uses of plants for First Aid and health promotion.

As well as working at The Haven and in her own community practice, Kath has a programme of community workshops, with the aim of empowering people to make best use of the plants around them, to promote good health and wellbeing. 

She also works as a clinical teacher, with undergraduates studying herbal medicine at the University of Central Lancashire.

Kath is passionate about the value and potential benefits of herbal medicine in supporting good health in the face of cancer.

Krysia Dodson (MBACP/UKRC*) - Counsellor

Krysia is an accredited Counsellor with 17 years experience working with children, adolescents and adults.  She works for Counselling Agencies, Local Authorities and privately.

Krysia is a member of the *British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and a Registered Independent Counsellor with The United Kingdom Register of Counsellors

For further information visit Krysia’s website:  www.KrysiaDodson.co.uk

Anne Grey -  Senior Group Therapist, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)

Anne is the Senior Group Therapist for Leeds and leads the Introduction Day. Anne specialises in helping people achieve health, wellbeing and happiness, based on an experience of inner peace, love and contentment.

Anne has been a Registered Homeopath since 1994, a Holistic Counsellor and Healer since 1997 and an Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) Practitioner and Trainer since 2000. Anne taught at The Yorkshire School of Homeopathy for several years, has published articles on Homeopathic Philosophy and Practice, and supervises students and practitioners of EFT, Healing and Homeopathy. Anne writes and gives presentations on The Power of Love.

Rebecca Hunter - Acupuncturist

Rebecca has been a practising acupuncturist since 1991, is a member of the British Acupuncture Council,  and has worked extensively in the NHS as a practitioner, in GP training and in research.  Rebecca has also been a college lecturer and examiner and is a member of the British Acupuncturist Council.

Along side this, Rebecca has run the Medico Practice in Huddersfield, a private complementary health care clinic.  In 2003 Rebecca trained as a personal and professional coach to enhance her ability to help people make positive changes in their life and health.  Rebecca has special interests and experience in treating women's health issues, addition, mental health and gastrointestinal health.

Neil Latore - Shiatsu Practitioner, Qi Gong Teacher

Neil started his career in Complementary Therapies in 1997 as a Reflexology and Massage therapist. Following a keen interest in Shiatsu he studied with the European School of Shiatsu and graduated with them in 2000. Neil became Head Therapist with ONE Personal and Corporate Development Company, Yorkshire in 2003, where he facilitated Qi Gong, Makka-ho stretching and Do-in training workshops and carried out therapies with the NHS, Job Link, Kirklees Council and HBOS. Neil has his own private practice and works from an established Yoga centre in Leeds.

  Neil offers shiatsu and Qi Gong at The Haven

Caroline Lloyd - Homeopath

Caroline Lloyd trained to be a Homeopath after a long term condition was improved with Homeopathic remedies.  She is a registered and insured member of The Society of Homeopaths and has been practising for 15 years.  She has her own private practice at The Natural Health Centre which has been open for 11 years.  She has a keen interest in women's health, fertility and the relationship between food and mood.  Most recently Caroline has been working in GP practices as an Alcohol and Addition counsellor.

Alison Lord - Aromatherapist / Reiki Practitioner / Daoyin Tao Practitioner

Alison gained a Diploma in Holistic Aromatherapy from the Northern School of Aromatherapy in 2000. Since then she has also trained in Reiki (levels 1 and 2), and Daoyin Tao (Chinese Face, Neck & Shoulder Massage). Alison is a member of the International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists and the Daoyin Tao Association.

In addition to running a small private practice in Leeds, Alison has worked extensively within the voluntary sector, with a variety of client groups including Carers, people living with long term health issues and Refugees & Asylum Seekers. Alison continues to work with people living with HIV.

Jean Marshall - Reflexologist, Massage, Aromatherapy and Reiki

Jean has a background in Nursing, Health Visiting ,Clinical Leadership and mentorship. Her most recent post was as Staff Support and Therapist for Leeds Primary Care Trust where she worked with several members of staff with breast cancer and also developed an interest in helping people deal with stress both at home and in the workplace.   She has been interested in Holistic Therapies for 15 years and  practices reflexology, massage, aromatherapy.  She is also a Reiki Master and offers therapies on a voluntary basis to carers in Leeds.

June Mitchell - Hypnotherapy/NLP/EFT

With a career in nursing, teaching and therapy spanning 20 years, June has supported countless people through many difficult health issues and life challenges. She is The Haven Hypnotherapist and Creative Visualization Group facilitator, and additionally uses Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). June takes a holistic approach and combines therapies as required by our Visitors. Her aim as a therapist is to hold the space for healing, well-being and quality of life.

June is an accredited master of the Association of NLP Practitioners, a member of the British Institute of Hypnotherapy and the Association for the Advancement of Meridian Energy Therapies. She has a private therapy and coaching practice in Leeds and is also a co-founder of Piece NLP training and development (NLP training and workshops).

Morna Murphy BSc DipION/FdSc - Nutritional Therapist

Morna worked in Cytogenetics and Toxicology for 30 years before studying for 3 years to become a Nutritional Therapist at the Institute of Optimum Nutrition in London. She is a member of B.A.N.T and a Nutritional Therapy Council registered member.

Marie-Paule Nicholson - Reflexologist and Homeopath

Marie-Paule has been registered as a reflexologist since 1985 and as a homeopath since 1998. As well as having a private practice she has been involved, as a therapist, with several projects in the fields of cancer, women’s health, children’s health HIV/Aids and mental health. She gives regular talks and is involved in the training and supervision of therapists.

Prior to being a therapist she had a varied career: teaching, then working in the fields of human rights, homelessness and provision for stroke survivors.

Debra Quinn-Collinson - Acupuncturist

Debra had an 18 year career in nursing before training as an acupuncturist. She has been practising acupuncture since 1995 and is a member of the British Acupuncture Council. She has taught at various Colleges and Universities, both in the UK and the USA and has undertaken further training in Beijing.

Myka Ransom - Yoga Teacher

Myka is an Iyengar yoga teacher and a member of the Iyengar Yoga Association (UK). She's been practising yoga for 12 years, and teaching for six years. She holds a Junior Intermediate  Iyengar yoga teaching qualification. She has studied with many Senior teachers in the UK, and has also studied at the parent Iyengar Yoga Institute in Pune, India. She continues her professional development by regularly attending teachers' classes and workshops, including further study of the practice of therapeutic yoga.