Who we are.
Who we are
Break the Silence was established in 2004 by founder Kate Short, who had been impacted by sexual trauma herself. Governed by an independent Board of Trustees with a diverse range of professional skills and lived experience, we are led by a leadership team – Chief Executive Officer (Clinical) and Chief Executive Officer (Operations) – who bring vision and integrity to our work every day.
Our Clinical Team
Our clinical staff are professionally qualified psychotherapists, registered with BACP, COSCA, BPS, BABCP, or other relevant bodies aligned with their therapeutic approach. All undergo PVG/Disclosure checks before joining us. They bring deep specialist knowledge of childhood sexual trauma, ensuring every client receives support from trusted, ethical practitioners.
Commitment to learning
Our staff and volunteers are our greatest asset, and we invest in their growth through learning and development opportunities, including Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Many pursue advanced training – such as EMDR accreditation, compassion-focused therapy, and trauma-specific modalities – often self-funding to deepen their expertise for our clients’ benefit. This ongoing commitment, alongside active involvement in national ethics and strategy groups, keeps our practice current, evidence-based and responsive to survivors’ needs.
Our Team
Sharon Belshaw
Chief Executive Officer - Clinical
Sharon and Lesley support a dedicated and passionate Team of staff who in their individual roles contribute both to the development and growth of the charity and to provide support and opportunities to people affected by sexual trauma.
Initially recruited in the role of Clinical Lead, Sharon has responsibility for the Clinical Team and all Clinical Services in addition to her Chief Executive duties. Sharon has a range of varied and relevant clinical experience working within public sector, private sector, education and consultancy environments. Member of BACP and BPS. Associate, Trauma Response Network UK.
Relevant Qualifications: MSc in Counselling, Pg Dip Person Centred Counselling, Pg Cert in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, BSc Hons. Psychology, Qualified Hypnotherapist and NLP Practitioner. Trained in EMDR and Positive Outcomes for Dissociative Survivors. Currently working towards Chartered Counselling Psychologist status with QCoP. Participant on King’s Fund Cascading Leadership Programme and Inspiring Scotland Inspiring Leaders Programme. Sharon is currently a doctoral candidate with University of Chester undertaking a Doctorate in Psychological Trauma.
Everyday Hero Award, North Ayrshire Health & Social Care Partnership.
Lesley Craig
Chief Executive Officer - Operations
Lesley and Sharon support a dedicated and passionate Team of staff who in their individual roles contribute both to the development and growth of the charity and to provide support and opportunities to people affected by sexual trauma.
Initially recruited as Head of Income Generation in 2016, Lesley has previous experience both in the private and third sector. Previous experience includes charity management, trusts/foundation fundraising, project management, development and sustainability. Member of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising – MCIOF(Dip).
Relevant Qualifications: Institute of Fundraising Certificate/Diploma in Managing Fundraising, Institute of Fundraising Certificate in Fundraising Practice, Institute of Fundraising Future Leaders Programme Participant in 2019, European Framework of Quality Management Accredited Assessor, CPD Certificate in Best Practice Consultations, SVE/EVOC Training for Advisors of Small Charities. Participant on King’s Fund Cascading Leadership Programme, Inspiring Scotland Inspiring Leaders Programme and mchPositive New Leaders Programme (2022). Completed Social Investment Scotland’s Coaching for Impact programme (2023). Completed Sustainable Leadership Programme delivered by Graeme Reekie, (The Lasting Difference) (2024). Currently participating in Social Investment Scotland’s Ambitions Programme, 2025.
Employee of the Year 2018, Association of Scottish Businesswomen.
Melanie Fieldhouse
Clinical Lead
My career path has been diverse and enriching. I’ve worked in roles ranging from Hairdressing and Machining (sewing upholstery and clothing), to Banking, Administration, and many other jobs along the way. After leaving school with few qualifications, I made the decision to return to education—completing courses in Maths, English, and Computer Studies. In 2015, I completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Person-Centred Counselling at the University of Strathclyde. Counselling is deeply rewarding, though it can also be challenging. To support my own mental well-being, I developed a personal interest in Mindfulness, especially Compassion-Focused Mindfulness. This interest has become a vital part of my practice, and led me to completing a Diploma in Compassion Focused Therapy.
Lesley Anne Pratchett
Clinical Lead
I left school and initially trained as a physiotherapist. I worked all over the UK specialising in Neurological Rehabilitation and Long Term Conditions. From the earliest stages in my career I was drawn to clinical areas that placed an emphasis on treating the body and the brain and being aware of the broader factors that would impact a person’s health. I started taking opportunities to learn a little more about supporting emotional distress as I became a more senior physiotherapist. While on a career break in the early 2000’s I had the opportunity to undertake some training to become a relationship therapist – this started me on the path to my second career. I worked initially as a relationship therapist for a number of years and gradually over the next 16 years I undertook training in a number of different approaches and worked both as a physiotherapist and a counsellor then psychotherapist for another 10 years before opting to work solely as a psychotherapist in 2021.
Jim Smith
Finance Officer
Jim Smith joined Break the Silence Finance Officer in March 2022. Jim is a CIMA qualified management accountant with over 30 years’ experience in various finance roles, mainly within FMCG, manufacturing and e-commerce environments. The Finance Officer assists the CEO (Operations) to ensure compliance with the income generation strategy and associated workplans, and to undertake the effective operation of all accounting functions within Break the Silence. The range of responsibilities relates to financial forecasting, project budgets, income/expenditure, payroll processing, quarterly and end of year accounts and reports, and formal submissions in line with legislative requirements to OSCR, Companies House and HMRC.
Jen Richards
Development Officer
Jen brings over 12 years of communications expertise to her role as Development Officer at Break the Silence, where she will support the charity’s sustainability and growth through leadership of a key accreditation application and management of several development projects. With a law degree from the University of Edinburgh and experience in academic publishing, she takes a thorough approach to her work with great attention to detail, standing her in good stead to prepare documentation, impact reports, and submissions while navigating BACP, OSCR, and fundraising standards.
Tracy Hurford
Client Liaison Team
Tracy joined Break The Silence in 2016 and has responsibility for all administrative functions within Break the Silence including; diary management, client appointments, client management system, clinical file management, and more. Tracy brings a wealth of experience to her role with previous experience in financial management, child protection, charity management, charity governance, business management and economics.
Margaret Moore
Client Liaison Team
Detailed below are the members of our clinical team. We provide these short introductions so that clients coming to Break The Silence can get to know a little about their Counsellor before their session. All our staff are trauma-informed, qualified Counsellors and registered with a professional body. They work within our values and aim to make a profound and positive difference in the lives of those affected by sexual trauma. We understand that every person is different – we will listen, and work collaboratively with you at your own pace to facilitate positive change through healing to challenge the effects of sexual trauma and assist post-traumatic growth.
Our Trustees
Soph McCormack-Gow
Trustee
Soph (they/she) joins Break The Silence with over a decade of experience in the arts and cultural sector. They bring extensive strategic expertise and leadership skills to their role as a trustee. Their previous work with Scottish Ballet has given them a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by charitable organisations, including funding pressures, stakeholder engagement, and operational sustainability. They are passionate about supporting Break The Silence’s vital mission, recognising the powerful impact that appropriate therapeutic support can have on the lives of survivors and their support network.
Currently working as a Solutions Strategist, they collaborate with arts and cultural clients worldwide. This global experience, combined with practical knowledge in the non-profit sector, enables them to offer valuable insights on strategic planning, digital transformation, and sustainable growth.
Scott McCurdy
Trustee
Scott is a serving Police Officer with Police Scotland and serves as a DCI in Dumfries & Galloway and Ayrshire.
Scott has been a police officer for 20 years and his career has been dominated by roles as a Detective, specialising in Public Protection. Currently Scott leads on the Ayrshire and Dumfries & Galloway response to Violence Against Women and Girls where he aims to improve on processes to support the public and staff within his service.
In addition to his Detective roles, Scott has held roles in local policing, Corporate Services, where he supported a member of the force executive in the delivery of I.T and Change programmes & he was previously seconded to the COP26 planning team which prepared for one of the biggest policing operations in UK history.
Scott is passionate about supporting survivors and ensuring that services are shaped on the survivor voice.
Joyce Murray
Trustee
Joyce was once described as a “social disrupter”, a badge she owns with pride. She is passionate about using her skills, knowledge and experience to contribute to social change so when the opportunity to apply to become a Trustee of Break The Silence arose, she jumped at the chance.
Joyce is the founder and former CEO of Positive Changes (Scotland) CIC, a social enterprise supporting women who have touched the justice system to fulfill their potential. Before founding Positive Changes Joyce worked for many years in both the private and charity sector gaining knowledge and skills in business development, marketing and operations. She is a trained Restorative Justice practitioner.
Joyce speaks at events both at home and abroad and coaches social entrepreneurs and leaders in the social sector.
Gillian Dearie
Trustee
Gillian is a qualified accountant with over 18 years experience, currently working on strategic data initiatives leading a global team in her role within the financial services industry. She is passionate about the support the charity offers in empowering individuals to acknowledge and overcome the emotional and physical aspects of trauma. Supporting individuals to recognise their unique perspectives and to develops ways to leverage that as a skillset is fundamental to her role as a leader.
Joanna Bain
Trustee
Joanna is a lawyer from Aberdeenshire, specialising in public law and government work, having spent the best part of ten years working in policy development and risk in central Whitehall departments, then as the Solicitor to the Scottish Covid-19 Inquiry. Outside of work, she co runs a project in Ireland focused on developing DIY musicians, and enjoys making art and music, volunteering locally and going to gigs whenever she can.
Ruth Maguire
Trustee
Ruth Maguire is a committed advocate for social justice and a dedicated representative of her community. Before being elected as a Member of the Scottish Parliament in 2016, Ruth served as a Branch Organiser and Branch Women’s Officer for her party. In 2012, Ruth was elected as a councillor for the Irvine West ward on the North Ayrshire Council, where she also took on the role of North Ayrshire Youth Champion, chaired the Violence Against Women Partnership, and served as Cabinet Member for Finance. Throughout her career, Ruth has championed youth advocacy, human rights, and gender-based violence prevention, driving her focus in Parliament and beyond.
Throughout her time in Parliament, Ruth has committed to representing the voices of her constituents on a wide range of issues. Currently, Ruth serves as Depute Convener of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee, and co-convenes the Cross-Party Group on Commercial Sexual Exploitation. Ruth’s work remains deeply rooted in her community, where she continues to fight for a fairer, more equal Scotland.
Noelle Maye
Trustee
Noelle is a Safeguarding Training Officer for the Church of Scotland. She delivers safeguarding training and deals directly with advising on child and adult protection referrals involving vulnerable people in congregations and Crossreach (one of the largest social care organisations in Scotland). Before working with the Church, Noelle worked as a Learning and Development manager for Children in Scotland, the national network for the children’s sector in Scotland and as a project worker in Craigmillar, Edinburgh working with at-risk young people.
Katie Ralston
Trustee
Katie is a Business/IT/Marketing College Lecturer at City of Glasgow College, with a background in Sales, Marketing, and Communications across a range of industries. Katie joined Break the Silence as a Trustee in 2022.
