Who we are
Behind our organisation’s mission of promoting awareness and providing support for addiction recovery, there is a dedicated team of passionate individuals who are committed to making a difference in the lives of others.
Our team comprises compassionate professionals, experienced volunteers, and individuals with first-hand recovery experience. Together, we bring diverse expertise, knowledge, and a shared commitment to walking alongside those affected by addiction and compulsive behaviours. We are grateful for our team members’ contributions and their unwavering commitment to supporting individuals and communities on their journey towards active recovery.
Our staff team
Emma Heath
Chief Executive
Emma Heath is a pioneer and trailblazer living out her mission in addiction recovery, driven by her own powerful journey from fear to freedom.
She’s led groundbreaking Christian recovery work across the UK—speaking at national conferences, appearing on TV and radio, and inspiring thousands with her story. Once gripped by anxiety, Emma now empowers others with courage and compassion, helping others face addiction without stigma.
Emma has established STAR within communities in the UK by living her message: hope is real, healing is possible.
Linda Blake
Discovery Lead And Mentoring Coordinator
Linda has first-hand personal experience in addiction and is passionate to share the hope that freedom is possible. She has completed the Teen Challenge Rehabilitation Programme 9 years ago, as well as their School of Ministry.
Linda is gifted in her relational skills, helping to ensure the smooth and effective member journey of the charity and its mentoring project. Linda is a driven and proactive member of the team with the vision to represent STAR to the wider world.
Michael Cook
Recovery Lead and Youth Coordinator
Michael has spent more than 15 years working within the recovery sector, providing hands‑on support to individuals living in active addiction. A visionary with a strong entrepreneurial drive, he blends big‑picture thinking with practical, grounded approaches that lead to real and lasting change.
He founded Teen Challenge Dorset, where he trained teams, led street outreach, and supported individuals preparing for rehabilitation. He also developed support groups and skills‑training programmes to help people move into meaningful employment, driven by his passion to see individuals equipped and thriving.
Over the past four years, Michael has delivered impactful drug‑education presentations in partnership with PACE across Dorset schools.
Linford Dunstan
Prisons Facilitator
Linford is driven by a heartfelt commitment to support men in custody, shaped by his own time in prison and his journey out of addiction. Having experienced dramatic personal transformation, he is passionate about helping others access the same hope and support that changed his life.
Alongside his role with STAR, Linford is a full‑time theology student at Moorlands College and continues to run a small building company. His experience as a contractor has strengthened his relationship‑building, communication, and team‑leadership skills—qualities he now uses to build bridges between chaplaincies, churches, and community organisations.
Linford brings authenticity, compassion, and a strong mentoring heart, with a desire to see men thrive both inside prison and as they reintegrate into society.
Sara-Jane Brocklehurst
Fundraising Officer
Sara-Jane has been doing fundraising across many sectors for over 16 years; however more specifically, for charities in the UK over the last 9 years.
Her focus is on researching and preparing proposals and requests to grant giving Trusts and Foundations for various projects or for the charity as a whole. Sara loves the sun and warmth and is passionate about nature.
Candice Young
Comms and Social Media Lead
Candice has worked in the charity sector since 2017. She has experience working in administration, social media planning and production, and communications for homelessness and non-profit projects.
Candice has also served over many years within her local community in leadership and organisational roles.
She specialises in community collaboration and equipping co-workers to ensure they have all the tools they need to communicate their messages effectively.
STAR Trustees
We are truly grateful to have a remarkable group of dedicated individuals serving as our charity trustees. Their invaluable support and expertise have been instrumental in the growth and progress of STAR, and they continue to contribute their wisdom and guidance as we strive towards our mission.
Jackie Leswell
Chair
Jackie has been in full time church leadership for 32 years, and in the last five years in an itinerant teaching ministry. Until recently she was involved as a trustee of various community charities, having a passion for the church to be engaged in the locality.
Her heart is also to see people set free in Christ, so she is an advocate for Freedom in Christ courses. She serves as a volunteer for the National Freedom in Christ Teaching Team, Core Team and recently joined the Intercessor team for Europe. She has taught the courses for fifteen years and seen hundreds of people set free.
Jules Radford
Trustee
Jules is a senior business leader running a team of financial operations professionals based around the globe for an international tech company, is married with 2 daughters and loves finding opportunities for adventure (skiing, mountain biking), growth and contribution.
Jules struggled to hide the shame and chaos caused by his secret habits over many years. Since finding his own freedom,he loves nothing more than seeing others getting sober, clean & break free from their secret habits and get the passion for their lives back.
Andrew Haines
Trustee
Andrew is a media and communications officer at Premier League football club AFC Bournemouth, with five years of industry experience in media and marketing.
Having felt called to serve on a STAR recovery course, Andrew has a passion for seeing lives transformed for the better through taking active steps. He also serves with nationwide charity Bridge The Gap and has run two half marathons for local and national charities.
Karen Ferguson
Trustee
Karen works in communication and concept development specialising in helping individuals, organisations, and projects to grow well, from start-ups to large organisations. Her work encompasses various sectors including early years, family health and well-being, mental health, and substance misuse.
She is passionate about good communication and organisational health, and loves to see people released into their full potential.
Simon Dallimore
Treasurer
Simon has recently retired after spending 45 years in the banking industry in the Bournemouth and Poole area. For the last 30 years, Simon’s focus has been on the commercial sector of banking, managing client relationships, as well as leveraging product expertise with an operational mindset. He has previously served as the Trustee Treasurer for his church which has provided him with good experience as a recent appointment to the role of Trustee Treasurer with STAR.
Simon is looking forward to assisting the STAR team with improved financial reporting and operational management as well as assisting the staff team to grow.
Outside of his time with STAR, Simon enjoys spending time with his wife and family, especially his 3 adorable granddaughters. He is also an avid golfer both as a sport and watching from afar, as well as being the Handicap secretary of a golf society.
Mike Royles
Trustee
Mike is a retired secondary school teacher, taught in a local secondary school in Poole for 28 years, and was responsible for pastoral care and Religious Education. He was a chair of trustees for several years with an educational charity called DEED, which provided development education to local schools. He is also an active member of a local church and is currently working as a group of parishioners supporting an Afghan Refugee family settle into a new life in Bournemouth.
Mike was a trustee for the last 10 years with Serenity in Bournemouth, a small charity which supported those living with addiction, and hopes to bring his experience to STAR to help provide opportunities for recovery and fulfillment in life. He enjoys spending time with his grandchildren, playing volleyball and cricket locally cycling, sailing and long distance walking.
STAR Ambassadors
Philip Mounstephen
Previously he served for six years as Chief Executive of Church Mission Society, facilitating mission links and pioneering initiatives across the Anglican Communion and beyond. He has also pastored Churches in London and Paris: the latter with a significant Tamil refugee congregation.
STAR Advisers
We are blessed to have access to a fantastic group of knowledgable people who have supported the development of STAR and continue to provide their expertise as we push forward.
Bishop Debbie Sellin
Debbie is a Church of England bishop serving as Bishop of Peterborough since 2023. She was previously Bishop of Southampton, a suffragan bishop in the Diocese of Winchester, and acted as diocesan Bishop of Winchester.
She grew up in Scotland and studied Modern Languages at St Andrews University. Debbie began her working life in NHS management in different hospitals across Edinburgh.
Debbie is married to Paul, who teaches Physics at Surrey University and they have two adult sons.
Nathaniel Moody
Nathaniel is a Baptist Minister and leads a church in Bexley, South London. He specialises in mental health and addiction recovery and is a qualified personal trainer using fitness as a tool to help those he mentors.
Nat is a gifted communicator and speaks all over the country. An ambassador for Chris-centred recovery ministry over the last eight years, he has helped lead courses and train churches and individuals across the UK. Nat is also co-founder and writer of the STAR Life Course.
Lizi Heath
Lizi was a pharmacist for 40 years with a passion to help people especially the vulnerable and broken, and those who felt hopeless and not listened to.
She is now retired and founded the STAR Life Support programme, working with families affected by addiction.
She has many roles and has been awarded the Mayor’s volunteer of the year award for Bournemouth.
Harry Ivie
Harry was born in London and moved to Poole in 1978. Married with two adult sons he attends St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Branksome where he has served as a councillor and school governor to the affiliated primary school. He has been a committee member at The Victoria School for disabled children.
A supporter of various charities he is well aware of the evil forces in today’s society whose sole purpose is to lead others into addictions.