Meet Our Team | EPIC Restart Foundation

Sharon Parr

CEO

Sharon has held a variety of leadership and senior management roles in the non-profit and public sectors. Her background includes directing high profile international projects, campaigns and business operations. Sharon is also a qualified solicitor and became EPIC Restart Foundation's first CEO in 2021.

“Our mission resonates with all those who find themselves struggling to rebuild their lives after suffering the devastating consequences of crippling gambling harms. I am delighted to be leading a great team at the EPIC Restart Foundation, working with our partners to deliver innovative and creative programmes that are making a real difference to so many people. Together we are changing lives"

Richie Paxton

Head of Programmes

Before joining the foundation in 2021, Richie spent 20 years in the Health and Fitness industry and is passionate about improving people's quality of life and supporting those affected by gambling harm.

"I spent 18 years battling gambling addiction which also manifested itself into alcohol and drug addiction. In 2018 I found myself at my lowest point and I reached out to Sporting Chance Clinic, who gave me the opportunity to turn my life around. Since then I have been on a journey of personal development and growth. In my role as Head of Programmes, I now get to use that experience to help others. I was given the opportunity to restart my life and I look forward to helping others restart theirs"

Steve Ramsey

Operations Manager & Recovery Coach

Steve had a successful career in Financial Business Support in both the Public and Private Sectors before a devastating gambling addiction overtook his life and resulted in severe life-altering consequences. A desire to understand the addiction and prevent harm to others has resulted in work with the Gambling Commission, NHS Gambling Service, Howard League, and others to raise awareness of gambling harm.

"As someone who had personally struggled with so many aspects of trying to rebuild my life after a devastating gambling addiction, I feel I am perfectly suited to fulfil the mission of the EPIC Restart Foundation to provide the tools to lead a positive life for those harmed by a gambling addiction. Lived experience provides me with the drive and determination to make a difference to those who may need it most and to support them in their ongoing recovery."

Steph King

Head of Marketing and Communications

Steph is an experienced marketing and communications professional, passionate about creating positive change through storytelling. Having previously worked in the homelessness sector, Steph has spent many years amplifying the voices of people who have faced systemic injustice and communicating the missions of impactful organisations doing life-changing work.

"I have spent many years in the third sector learning about the challenges people face accessing help during tough times. I've witnessed the critical role of innovative organisations in providing effective support. Working for EPIC Restart, an organisation that prioritises lived experience and focuses on people's strengths to create lasting positive change, is a real privilege."

Jo Mustafa

Recovery Coach

With a professional background in logistics, Jo’s 7-year gambling addiction started with a one-off bet, but quickly escalated and spiralled out of control. She became suicidally depressed, struggling with a huge amount of debt, isolated, and so stressed that her hair began to fall out. Jo received life-saving treatment for her addiction with Gordon Moody, and then took part in EPIC Restart’s aftercare programmes, rebuilding her self-esteem, transforming her confidence and empowering her to take positive steps towards achieving her life goals. Jo has since trained as a peer supporter and taken part in GambleAware’s media campaigns to raise awareness of gambling harm. She is passionate about using her lived experience to support others:.

“Reaching out for help was the best thing I’ve ever done. Taking part in the EPIC Restart programmes completely changed my outlook on life and my confidence. It helped me understand the importance of gaining someone’s trust and confidence by actively listening to their experience, being your authentic self, showing empathy and offering non-judgemental understanding and unconditional positive support. I am really excited to now be working with the team at EPIC Restart, supporting and mentoring others on their journey of recovery.”

Stacey Goodwin

Woman's Lead and Recovery Coach

Stacey has suffered with an addiction since the age of 18 that spanned for the next 8 years of her adult life, missing out on opportunities to grow and understand important things that she could have been learning throughout these years. Stacey's addiction started whilst she was just a girl, hence the alias 'the girl gambler. Stacey now supports many women going through the same reassuring them they are not alone, as women do suffer with this addiction too but can also recover and live life to the fullest once again.

‘I'm excited to begin my journey with EPIC Restart Foundation as what I've learned with the Foundation is not only so many life skills - to improve coping strategies, relationships and day to day management of my life - but it also reaffirms a message that is so important to me. I was as vulnerable walking out of treatment as I was when I walked into it, the world was now my oyster, but I had to learn how to grow and cope with life without gambling. EPIC Restart Foundation cemented my message that recovery from gambling addiction does not end at abstinence: it continues into day to day life and there IS life after gambling addiction’.

Dionne Slater

Digital Community Manager

Known online as The Shame Slayer, Dionne has previously worked as an Empowerment Coach and has supported events with the EPIC Restart Community. Falling in love with everything that EPIC Restart Foundation stands for and with a successful background in community building and management, Dionne is thrilled to join the team as Digital Community Manager.

“I can’t even express how excited I am to be part of such an incredible Foundation that doesn’t just say they care about their community…they genuinely mean it. Having lived experience in addiction and the stigma surrounding it, I am so passionate about helping others in their recovery”

Mark Pickering

Engagement Manager and Recovery Coach

Mark had a successful career in Financial Services before his life fell apart through a gambling addiction affecting not only himself, but many of those closest to him. The addiction affected his housing, employment, finances, relationships and his mental/physical health, all of which have long term effects.

"My recovery has been all about rebuilding my life, growing, and helping others who have suffered in similar ways. I have done this through volunteering, being part of a Lived Experience Advisory Panel to the Gambling Commission and most importantly getting a job working for EPIC Restart Foundation where I felt I could finally stop hiding behind the mask and be myself again. As Engagement Manager I not only get to work with individuals who have suffered, but also other organisations that help those in recovery."

Helin Khan

Community Outreach Manager

During the last six years, Helin's background has included community outreach and training presentation delivery within domestic abuse, sexual abuse and violence against women and girls. She is passionate about reducing stigma and shame by raising awareness and ensuring communities know about sources of support:

"I'm excited to be joining the team at EPIC Restart, and hope that with my background in community outreach and development to reach out to those who are potentially isolated and unaware of this fantastic cause and resource. I hope to learn from, collaborate and empower those who are seeking to rebuild their lives after suffering from gambling harms."

Sophie smailing with sunglasses on her head and trees in the background

Sophie Cohen Jones

Programme Manager

Sophie has 12+ years' experience working in Learning and Development, Education and Programme Management. As a previous secondary school teacher she has a good understanding of learning pathways and the importance of taking an individual approach to learning and development. More recently she led several training programmes for the UK's Student Mental Health charity and is an advocate for promoting positive mental health and wellbeing in both her professional and personal life.

"I'm so excited to work with a forward thinking team, with the joint mission to support people in creating a fulfilling and meaningful life beyond gambling-related harm."

Asjad Mehmood

Community Engagement and Development Officer

Asjad is an experienced and qualified Project Manager and community development professional with 12 years’ experience, managing and leading projects including community Based Rehabilitation, HIV Aids, Enterprise development, Inclusive Education, Community Mental Health and Viral Hepatitis. Asjad is passionate about creating positive change through community engagement.

“I am excited about continuing my journey working with the EPIC Restart Foundation, engaging hard to reach communities to support all those affected by gambling harm and helping them to make positive changes to their lives.”

Trustees

Robert White

Chair

Robert is the CEO of Brabners, an independent law firm with offices in Liverpool, Manchester and Preston and nearly 400 employees. He is the Chair of the Brabners Foundation, and a member of Vistage, the executive coaching organisation. Robert has over 20 years’ experience developing and delivering strategic change and improving financial performance in competitive markets. He has broad sector and service experience and is a qualified chartered accountant.

"Having worked in gaming technology, I understand the sector well. I have seen the harm that gambling addiction can do and I know how the right help and support at the right time can really help turn lives around. I really believe that this new foundation will help to equip those recovering from the devastating effects of gambling addiction with practical tools to help them restart their lives. I am delighted to chair the board of trustees and work with our great team to bring our mission to life."

Adam Barraclough

Trustee

Adam is Head of Food and Beverage for Ernst Young in the North. A Chartered accountant by trade Adam works predominantly in the M&A space for EY. Previously with William Jackson Food Group as head of corporate development and finance director of their Bakery business.

“I was introduced to Paul Buck by a mutual friend and was really blown away by his amazing life story. A close relative suffered from gambling addiction and Paul’s story helped me to make sense of what happened to that individual. I was delighted to be asked to be a trustee of the EPIC Restart Foundation where I know it will make a huge difference to many lives.”

Matthew Corcoran

Trustee

Matt spent many years balancing his professional life as an IT consultant with his secret gambling addiction that caused devastating financial harm. Over the course of 20 years, Matt went from the occasional flutter to 24/7 gambling on sports. Matt has now established a successful recovery and is looking forward to utilising his lived experience and professional skills to support the EPIC Restart Foundation in his role as Trustee, in particular supporting our digital strategy.

“I’m very excited to be joining the EPIC Restart Foundation as a Trustee and hope that my skills in the IT sector along with my lived experience can help to make a difference. One of the most important things to me is that the 20 or so years I spent gambling aren’t a complete waste, and my story and experiences can benefit others who are recovering from their own gambling harm.”

Rebecca Jones

Trustee

Rebecca is an NHS Midwife and the founder of GAMILY, an online support network for those affected by a loved ones' gambling addiction. GAMILY was launched in October 2019 and has since reached affected others from all around the world.

“As an 'affected other' of gambling-related harm, I have directly witnessed and experienced the devastating consequences that a gambling disorder has on a loved one. Despite this, as a family, we have worked hard to turn our life around and use our past experiences to better our future. Not many individuals get the opportunity to truly ‘Restart’ their lives and turn something so negative into a positive. I am delighted to be part of a board of trustees who all believe in the positive impact that the EPIC Restart Foundation will have on many people and families, both now and in the future”

Danielle Smith

Trustee

Danielle spent 12 years as an Army Officer, and has a background in law and HR. She has seen first hand the impact of gambling addiction from those around her. She is passionate about the work EPIC Restart Foundation undertakes and how it makes a difference in the most impactful way.

“I am amazed by the phenomenal work the EPIC Restart Foundation carry out and the genuine difference is makes to people lives. I am excited to be appointed to the board and look forward to working with the team going forward.’’

Kira Bradbeer

Trustee

Kira is a qualified Therapist with 20 years of experience of working across a range of addiction and talking therapies services. For 10 of those years, she has specialised in providing treatment and therapy to people who have suffered gambling harm and has felt privileged to be alongside people as they turn their lives around and build a gambling free future.

“As a Therapist, I know many people feel a huge sense of positivity and achievement when they begin to establish a gambling free life. However, the prospect of what comes next is often daunting and a bit scary, with people sometimes feeling lost about what comes next or lacking in confidence in their ability to cope with life’s challenges. This is why I am so happy to be joining the board of trustees and supporting the amazing work the EPIC Restart Foundation does in helping people to create a new life for themselves and learn how to thrive in their recovery.”