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.

Alana Wilde

CEO

Prior to joining SYEDA I worked in the public sector, for a large health and care research funder, and in higher education, in a range of specialist health inequalities and inclusion roles. I also have a PhD in Philosophy where I focused on the ways in which lived experience is used in research.  

As CEO, my role involves managing SYEDA and working closely with the clinical team and with our Board of Trustees as well as making sure that we maintain strong connections with local NHS services, other charities, and communities within South Yorkshire.   

I'm incredibly passionate about ensuring that people who experience disordered eating are able to access the right support, and feel very privileged to be SYEDA's CEO.

Michelle Hinde

Clinical Lead

BSc Hons Psychology, BSc Hons Occupational Therapy

I qualified as an Occupational Therapist in 2006 and I have worked in the field of eating disorders since 2001. I am extremely passionate about the work SYEDA do and volunteered here previously, offering support to those affected by difficulties with food.

As Clinical Manager, my role is to oversee the clinical support services, including our Early Intervention and Prevention team, which we provide both in Sheffield and across wider South Yorkshire. I triage all of our Sheffield referrals and the majority of initial client assessments. In addition, I have a small caseload of clients to whom I offer specialist ED support.

As part of my role I liaise with a number of other ED services across Sheffield and South Yorkshire, and I also look at developing better and more effective community support to all those affected by eating disorders or the signs of developing eating disorders.  

Matthew Peers

Trustee

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. 

Lauren Staniforth

Business Manager

I joined SYEDA as their Office Manager in April 2022 and became Business Manager in December 2023 – prior to working here I worked in the private sector, with over 8 years’ experience in Administration and office management.

It is a great privilege to become part of an extremely passionate and dedicated team, to be able to assist them in making a real difference for people with eating disorders.

In my spare time you will find me chasing after my little boy, walking our dog or spending time with friends and family.

Claire Taranaski

Senior Administrator

I have over two decades experience working in administration across the voluntary and health sectors.

Since joining SYEDA in October 2020, I have felt honoured to be part of and provide a range admin support to its wonderful and dedicated team and my passion to improve the lives of those with eating disorders, their families and friends continues to grow.

After moving to South Yorkshire to start a family I have fallen in love with the region and its residents and have continued to be passionate about helping people in my local community and helping others to do the same, including as a volunteer and supporter of the local arts scene.

Lorna Cook

Senior Administrator

I joined SYEDA in December 2023 as their Senior Administrator. I previously worked in the private sector where I gained my experience in both accounts and administration

I am excited to be a part of an amazing organisation and help the team to make a positive impact on people’s lives who live with an eating disorder.

I am a family orientated person, in my spare time I care for my daughter, and spend a lot of time with my family and friends.

Sophie O'Horan Williams

Campaign & Engagement Coordinator

I have 10 years of marketing experience and feel passionate about helping organisations tell their story. My hope is to provide life-changing communications and connect services with their users through powerful and impactful design.

 Being part of the team at SYEDA brings me immense pride. Working for a cause that is close to my heart has been a joy and a pleasure and continues to motivate me every day. In my spare time, you’ll find me teaching yoga and hiking around Sheffield with my dog and husband.

Kirsty Armstrong

Training & Education Coordinator

With nearly two decades of experience in the charity and grassroots sectors, both in the UK and overseas, I bring extensive expertise across both operational and client-facing roles. This has enabled me to develop a well-rounded understanding of service delivery, community engagement, and strategic development within mission-driven organisations.

I have worked predominantly in the field of recovery and behaviour change, supporting individuals affected by substance misuse and, over the past three years, those navigating eating disorder recovery.

As the Training and Development Officer, I am responsible for developing and delivering training for a range of audiences, including healthcare professionals, educators, support staff, and community organisations, to improve understanding and response to eating disorders. I ensure that all training is grounded in compassion, informed by evidence, and shaped by real-life experiences to create meaningful and relatable learning.

When not delivering training, I spend my time exploring the Peak District with my family, and hanging out with my cat.

Betty Smith

Young Persons Therapist and Eating Disorders Practitioner

As an Integrative counsellor I work one to one with young people and adults in a collaborative way. All our clients are struggling with their relationships with food and/or with their body image in ways that are unique to them; and so I want to provide you with a space that encourages you to be curious and more compassionate towards yourself, and where you might explore your experiences, thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and relationships without judgement.

I retrained as a therapist following a career break from my previous work in Social Housing and qualified with a Professional Diploma in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy. Before joining SYEDA I worked therapeutically in an education setting and within another charity offering counselling to adults.  

Jessica Beard

CBT-T Practitioner

At SYEDA I deliver CBT-T, a ten-session version of CBT targeting behavioural and cognitive change for those experiencing binging and/or purging. The therapy is manual based but is designed to be flexible to suit the individual. CBT-T is very much a ‘doing therapy’ requiring behavioural change which I will guide you through, as well as addressing issues such as poor body image. 

Before starting at SYEDA I completed a First Class degree in Psychology and a Masters degree with Distinction in Psychological Research Methods, both at the University of Sheffield. Since graduating I worked as a support worker for children and young people with autism spectrum disorder and complex needs. I then began working at the University of Sheffield as a research assistant in the Clinical and Applied Psychology Unit, primarily working in the field of eating disorders. I also volunteer at SHOUT, a text-based crisis helpline.

Outside of work I enjoy spending time outside (particularly with my horse!), or inside with a good book.