Photo of Jules Gillard Winchester Youth Counselling

Jules Gillard

Interim Chief Executive Officer

Jules joined WYC as Interim CEO in August 2023 to cover as Erin Tollefsen, the charity’s current CEO takes maternity leave.Her role is to lead the team at WYC, supported by a Board of Trustees.

She has over 15 years of working in senior management teams in the charity sector, predominantly with children and young people.

Jules has also recently graduated with Distinction from a MSc in Psychology, been part of the neuroscience and psychology research teams at the University of Sussex and is a trustee for a national mental health charity.

She has a real passion for and belief in the positive effects of counselling, having both studied it and been the recipient of it and believe a range of therapies can be a really powerful intervention tool for young people facing challenges with their mental health.

Jules has long admired the work of Winchester Youth Counselling (WYC) and is really excited about working with the team to provide life-changing therapeutic services to young people in the Winchester area at a time when young people’s mental health has never been so important.

At home, Jules enjoys running, outdoor swimming and hanging out with her two sons, Oscar and Rex and husband, James.

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Katy Seymour

Youth Engagement Lead

Katy has been with WYC since 2018.  As a qualified Nurse and Primary School Teacher, Katy has a broad skill set and many years of experience working with children and young people.

After a decade of teaching, she has taken on a new role within WYC, as Youth Engagement Lead.  Her role involves coordinating and developing new projects, such as the parent support programme and up-and-coming mental health drop-in service.

Katy also manages our youth board, social media channels and helps to facilitate the nature therapy sessions. Katy has a keen interest in understanding and supporting young people’s mental health and has completed training to support this.

She is passionate about engaging and empowering young people to have their voices heard.

Katy has two young children and loves to spend her spare time in the great outdoors; enjoying woodland walks, beach trips and travelling (with an ever growing bucket list)! Other interests of Katy’s include rock climbing, gardening, camping, music, mindfulness, and art & design.