Staff Members

Rebecca PearceChief Executive
Rebecca has an Arts and Education background. Her initial contact with Headway Cardiff and South East Wales was via a family friend who suffered a brain injury. Through her Theatre in Education Company, she facilitated drama workshops, going on to become their second only employee, as Assistant Coordinator until 2002, and the birth of her first child.
She continued to work around health and social care in a variety of roles within the Charity Sector and Social Services, finally working at a national level for the MS Society before rejoining Headway Cardiff and South East Wales in 2015 as CEO, where she gained Management and Leadership qualifications.

Lisa Lambly Director of Services
Lisa has been with Headway Cardiff since 2003, making her the longest-serving member of the team. Before joining Headway, Lisa lived in Ireland and worked at Barratstown Gang Camp, where she supported children with terminal illnesses from across Europe. Following this experience, Lisa became a Volunteer Coordinator for Special Olympics Ireland, overseeing their volunteering program and mentoring athletes. Lisa has been in her current role since 2015.

Emily BrennanInformation & Outreach Officer
Emily has been with the team since 2006, initially as a Support Worker and later becoming the Assistant Independence and Wellbeing Centre Manager in 2008. She holds a degree in Sociology, Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills and an NVQ in Advice and Guidance. In early 2018, Emily assumed her current role.


Rhian JonesInformation & Outreach Officer for Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
Before joining the staff team as a Support Worker in 2016, Rhian volunteered for a year with the Tuesday group in the Independence and Wellbeing Centre. She has a degree in Furniture and Product Design, a Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills and an NVQ in Advice and Guidance. Rhian transitioned to her current role in May 2018.



Ellie McMasterInformation & Outreach Officer
Ellie joined our team in September 2024, after being with us for her student placement during her Master’s in Psychology. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, playing netball and going to the gym. She has gained solid work experience through various part-time jobs and acquired a passion for helping people through volunteering in Fiji in 2022.


Claire Protheroe-JonesSenior Independence & Wellbeing Officer
Claire became an Independence & Wellbeing Officer in November 2021, and later a senior in 2024. She holds a degree in Sociology and Psychology and previously worked for the Salvation Army. Claire has experience working with vulnerable adults and young people in homeless residential settings. She also has a Mediation qualification that she has utilised to reunite young people with their families.

Helen JenkinsSenior Independence & Wellbeing Officer
Helen joined us in 2008 as a Support Worker in the Independence and Wellbeing Centre. In 2016, she transitioned to the position of an Independence & Wellbeing Officer, then senior in 2024. Helen holds an NVQ in Health and Social Care and a degree in Textiles, often utilising her artistic skills in her work in the centre.

Kristian LatosinskiSenior Independence & Wellbeing Officer
Kristian joined the team in June 2022 as a Volunteer Support Worker through our student placement scheme. After graduating, he remained with the team and advanced to his current role as a senior officer in 2024. Kristian possesses a master’s degree in Psychology and has extensive experience working with individuals living with acquired brain injuries.

Heledd EvansIndependence & Wellbeing Officer
Heledd joined the team in May 2024, after working freelance for several years in the Arts delivering community workshops and public programmes. She has a degree in Fine Art, and a PGCE PCET, and has experience in community engagement, informal education, arts and heritage, and disability arts activism. She also works as an artist and composer and is currently enjoying writing music for a mechanical organ in Merthyr Tydfil.

Neil Soans Independence and Wellbeing Officer
Neil joined the team in September 2024, after being with us as a Placement Student during his Master’s degree in Psychology. Neil is dedicated to empowering individuals to become emotionally competent. Besides remote working with a therapy centre handling anxiety, stress, depression, and relationship issues, Neil has prior experience counselling men with HIV/ AIDS and conducting workshops on safe sex education. He also enjoys watching live music and exploring the outdoors, particularly trekking and hiking.

Helen KingAdministrator (Finance)
Helen joined the team in 2017 and has a degree in Politics. She has worked in various roles, including the local authority, a carers voluntary organisation and in the education sector. She has a passion for cooking and DIY.

Emma FairweatherAdministrator (Services) and Support Worker
Emma joined our team in June 2023, and added Support Worker to her role in 2025. With a degree in History and a background in management, Emma brings a unique perspective to the table. Prior to joining Headway, she spent 7 years as a pharmaceutical dispenser, gaining extensive experience working with diverse individuals from all walks of life. In her spare time enjoys reading and walking her dog.

John Neal Independence and Wellbeing Officer
John joined the team in early 2024 as a Volunteer Support Worker on Wednesdays. He is a currently an Independence and Wellbeing Officer on a Thursday in the Centre. John has experience as a youth worker, support worker, and in youth justice. Outside of work he enjoys climbing and cycling. John is heading into his final year at Cardiff Met where he is working towards his BSc Psychology.

Chloe Baker Administrator (HR)
Chloe returned to the team in September 2024. Chloe has worked in various roles for the charity over the last 10 years, both in the Independence and Wellbeing Centre, and in administrative support. Chloe really enjoys being part of the team here at Headway Cardiff and South East Wales, and in her spare time enjoys walking, days out, and spending time with her family and friends.
Our Placement Students

Arianna Baigent Volunteer Support Worker (Student Placement)
Arianna joined the team in September 2025 as a volunteer support worker as part of her BSc Psychology at Cardiff University. She is passionate about understanding the human brain and inclusive and supportive mental health work. Arianna enjoys board games with friends, a good coffee, cooking and swimming

India McNultyVolunteer Support Worker (Student Placement)
Indy joined the team in September 2025 as a Volunteer Support Worker as part of her BSc Psychology at Cardiff University. She enjoys learning about all aspects of psychology but is particularly interested in areas of cognitive psychology. In her spare time, she loves baking, looking after her dog and doing Aerial arts.

Robyn Walters Volunteer Support Worker (Student Placement)
Robyn joined the team in September 2025 as a volunteer support worker as part of her BSc Psychology at Cardiff University. She has a particular interested in mental health and counselling in care settings and has spent time volunteering at Marie Curie Hospice in Penarth. In her spare time, Robyn enjoys listening to music, playing the piano, going to the cinema and watching ice hockey.

Lousia ThumVolunteer Support Worker (Student Placement)
Louisa joined the team in September 2025 as part of her BSc Psychology at Cardiff University. She is passionate about increasing awareness and understanding of mental health and aspires to become a clinical psychologist in the future. In her spare time, she enjoys drawing and playing with her bull terrier, Muttley.

Eva WatersVolunteer Support Worker (Student Placement)
Eva joined the team in September 2025 as a Volunteer Support as part of her BSc psychology at the University of Surrey. Eva enjoys playing piano, going for runs and spending time with her dog Layla.

