Our Trustees
Alison Graham
Chair
Alison Graham is a GP partner in Cambridgeshire and a graduate of Newcastle University. She knows from first-hand experience that there is a huge amount of unmet need and a shameful lack of support for young people with mental health problems that is the result of decades of underfunding. As a mother of 3 teens and with over 30 years of clinical experience she has a unique and varied view of the issues from many different perspectives.
As Chair and trustee for Young People’s Counselling Service (YPCS), her aim is to not only ensure young people get high quality counselling when they need it but that they get meaningful early intervention to manage their emotions before they are overwhelmed. She is passionate about engineering systemic change to improve the lives of young people.
"I am privileged to be part of a truly extraordinary team that work incredibly hard. We have grown this charity from a tiny organisation into the impressive high quality and respected employer that it is now in only a few years. I am in the debt of those who share my passion for change, who are frustrated by the years of funding neglect and devote their time, energy and skills to making that a reality. We do not want to see any child turned away when they are in need, and also recognise that families need support too. Together we must ensure that investment into the wellbeing of our young people is a priority because they are our future, and it is our collective responsibility to maximise their potential."
As Chair and trustee for Young People’s Counselling Service (YPCS), her aim is to not only ensure young people get high quality counselling when they need it but that they get meaningful early intervention to manage their emotions before they are overwhelmed. She is passionate about engineering systemic change to improve the lives of young people.
"I am privileged to be part of a truly extraordinary team that work incredibly hard. We have grown this charity from a tiny organisation into the impressive high quality and respected employer that it is now in only a few years. I am in the debt of those who share my passion for change, who are frustrated by the years of funding neglect and devote their time, energy and skills to making that a reality. We do not want to see any child turned away when they are in need, and also recognise that families need support too. Together we must ensure that investment into the wellbeing of our young people is a priority because they are our future, and it is our collective responsibility to maximise their potential."
Nicola Houghton
Vice Chair
Nicola joined the board of trustees in 2019, after recognising she could utilise her skills to support the growth of YPCS. She has been instrumental in working to expand our service delivery to reach as many local young people in need of high-quality therapeutic support as possible.
After a successful career as a School Business Manager across a range of educational settings, Nicola now works for Cambridgeshire County Council as a Business Improvement and Development Advisor. She is passionate about taking action to help make a positive difference to the lives of people within the Cambridgeshire community.
After a successful career as a School Business Manager across a range of educational settings, Nicola now works for Cambridgeshire County Council as a Business Improvement and Development Advisor. She is passionate about taking action to help make a positive difference to the lives of people within the Cambridgeshire community.
Jenny Wilton
Secretary
Jenny is an Operations & Process Management Specialist with more than 20 years of experience in implementing change and managing process improvement, quality management and supply chain management in a wide variety of organisations.
David Weir
Treasurer
David has over 30 years of experience in completing company management accounts and feels proud to support the the charity as we grow from strength to strength.
Jim Vizzini
Jim is a veteran of over thirty years in the financial markets, twenty of those with UBS. He takes a very active role in UBS' Community Affairs program, volunteering for UBS-sponsored events with a focus on working with children in the Hackney Borough school system. He currently sits on the Board of Governors for Queensbridge Primary School in East London. Jim has also been involved in volunteering for organisations such as CHEER and Challengers, and most recently held the position of trustee and Chair of the Finance Committee for the Walton Charity, the oldest charity in the UK.
It was through UBS that he was introduced to YPCS in 2020, first serving as an external consultant and then offering to join the board as a full-time trustee. He feels a strong connection with the mission statement and ethos of the YPCS and the tremendous work it does to assist and support young people. He hopes to make a difference and add value to an extremely talented group of individuals who put so much time and effort into the charity.
Peter Ashworth
Peter is a retired senior teacher in local schools who spent 40 years working with young people aged 5 to 18. He is proud to have been involved with YPCS for the last 10 years and is looking forward to supporting the charity's growth.
Peter Williamson
Peter is the father of two small children and is the manager of a local Liaison Psychiatry Team. As someone who has personally benefited from free, high-quality counselling in his childhood, he is excited to be a part of this outstanding charity. He is convinced of the immeasurable benefit to local children and the wider community from the work the clinical team in this charity do and would urge anyone who can donate to please do so.
Luke Butcher
Luke is an Architect and Director of Butcher Bayley Architects (BBA). He also holds a Master’s in Environmental Building Design. Prior to co-founding BBA, Luke worked for a range of internationally acclaimed multi-disciplinary design and construction companies in Manchester, London and Cambridge. He joined the YPCS board in June 2021 after consulting with the organisation for the works of the first Annabelle Davis Centre. Being a local person with a family of his own, Luke recognised the great work the charity was doing and was keen to support the group of trustees on this endeavour.
Young People’s Counselling Service
Annabelle Davis Centre
School Bungalow
Broadway
Yaxley
Peterborough PE7 3JD
Phone: 01733 903288
E-mail: admin@ypcs.uk
Registered Charity No. 1190555