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The People Behind STAR
Emma Heath's own recovery journey fuels the vision and compassion that guides STAR. She is joined by a passionate team of people united by a shared commitment to hope, healing, and transformation.
Each team member brings unique expertise and experience with diverse backgrounds in recovery support, mental health, ministry, and community development. They approach their roles not just as professionals, but as people who understand the journey.
Whether delivering training, supporting churches, or walking alongside individuals, the team is united by a desire to create spaces where grace leads, hope grows, and transformation is possible.
Emma Heath is a pioneer and trailblazer living out her mission in addiction recovery, driven by her own powerful journey from fear to freedom.
Over the past 12 years, 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 communities face addiction without stigma.
Emma has established STAR within communities in the UK by living her mission: hope is real, and healing is possible.
Emma Heath
Chief Executive
Linda has first-hand personal experience in addiction and is passionate to share the hope that freedom is possible. She completed the Teen Challenge Rehabilitation Programme 9 years ago, as well as their School of Ministry.
Linda is the first point of contact for STAR, helping to ensure the smooth and effective administration of the charity and its projects. Linda is a driven and proactive member of the team with the vision to represent STAR to the wider world.
Linda Blake
Mentoring Co-ordinator
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.
Sara-Jane Brocklehurst
Fundraising Officer
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.
Candice Young
Comms & Social Media Lead
Trustees
Trustees at STAR play a vital role in shaping the vision, integrity, and impact of the organisation.
They bring wisdom, accountability, and oversight - ensuring that STAR stays true to its mission of supporting recovery through faith and community.
Each trustee contributes their time, skills, and experience to help guide strategic decisions, uphold good governance, and support the team behind the scenes.
Some have lived experience of recovery, others bring professional expertise - but all share a deep commitment to seeing lives transformed.
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.
Jackie Leswell
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 and break free from their secret habits and get the passion for their lives back.
Jules Radford
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 wellbeing, mental health, and substance misuse.
She is passionate about good communication and organisational health, and loves to see people released into their full potential.
Karen Ferguson
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.
Andrew Haines
Trustee
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.
Simon Dallimore
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.
Mike Royles
Trustee
Ambassador
Philip Mounstephen has been Bishop of Winchester since 2023, following five years as Bishop of Truro. As such, he authored a report on the UK Government’s response to the persecution of Christians, which led to a significant change in government policy and a concerted commitment to seeking Freedom of Religion or Belief for all. This culminated in the passing of a joint UK-sponsored UN Security Council resolution on this issue last year: the first ever of its kind.
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.
Advisers
Advisers to STAR are trusted voices who offer insight, encouragement, and specialist knowledge to help shape the organisation’s direction and deepen its impact.
While not involved in daily operations or governance, they serve as trusted sounding boards—bringing perspective, asking thoughtful questions, and helping STAR stay focused and effective.
Some advisers have lived experience of recovery, others contribute expertise from fields like health, social care, or community development.
All share a commitment to supporting STAR’s mission and helping it grow with clarity and purpose.
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.
Bishop Debbie Sellin
Adviser
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.
Nathaniel Moody
Adviser
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.
Lizi Heath
Adviser
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.
Harry Ivie
Adviser
A Word from our Trustee
STAR does not shy away from the reality and impact of addiction but has found a way to tackle it head-on.
This charity helps to join up the deep understanding of evidence-based practices alongside the hope and compassion that faith can bring.
As we look to the future, may we never lose sight of how to learn from each other and care for one another in big and small ways.
Karen Fergusen- Trustee