As a counsellor, my favourite phrase is. “ You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.” (Jon Kabat-Zinn). It means that there will always be problems, but we can learn to navigate them if we have help. I think my main role is to help children and young people by providing a safe space for them to talk confidentially and to be listened to, without judgement.

When I’m not working, I like to relax by walking my cockapoo in the lovely countryside around me, practising yoga, playing badminton (pretty badly), watching movies or losing myself in a good book.

Hello!  My name is David Palmer, and I am proud to be a trustee of CHAT Youth Counselling. 

I have worked as a social worker and manager in the social care field for thirty-five years after qualifying as a social worker way back in 1981.Before I qualified, I also worked in children's homes in Lincolnshire. I worked in child protection in Leeds and Luton, before specialising in work with adolescents who were in trouble with the Police and Courts. 

This brought me to work for a national charity called NCH Action for Children in High Wycombe and Slough, setting up projects which were community-based alternatives to custody for young people who had committed offences and were dealt with by Courts.  This taught me the important role charities have in adding value to communities and young people in particular.  

 I then worked as a Team Leader, Unit Manager and Area Manager with young people in trouble, as a representative of the Northamptonshire Youth Offending Service, between 1988 to 2016. This is a multi-agency organisation, with social workers, police, probation, youth workers, teachers, drug workers and community psychiatric nurses all work together to provide services to children and families in trouble.  

As a result, I know the importance of early help and intervention by services such as CHAT Youth Counselling, diverting children from trouble and providing help when it is needed. I also have worked alongside Police, Probation and the Prison Service in developing and supporting risk management plans for those offenders who have committed serious violent or sexual crimes and are being released back into the community. 

Since 2016, I have worked as a Senior and Associate Lecturer at the University of Northampton in the Criminal Justice Department, training police officers and investigators. I retired in 2026 and support the work of CHAT Youth Counselling as it provides invaluable help to children, young people and young adults who require assistance. Most importantly, the help provided is free and confidential. 

I also have four ducks, four chickens and two dogs and quite a large garden, which keeps me busy also! 

Kelly joined CHAT in June 2024 after previously working in the criminal justice and community field for over 25 years.

A qualified Counsellor with a keen interest in the mental health and wellbeing of young people and adults. She previously worked for the NHS in a specialist substance misuse team as part of CAMHs in Cambridgeshire, as well as project management and family support roles. She is passionate about supporting children and young people at CHAT Youth Counselling, as part of the REACH Collaborative.

In her spare time Kelly enjoy’s walking her dog, bike rides, spending time with her family, Tarantino movies and Pilates.

Sarah was a writer/strategist in advertising and digital media for 10 years before stepping out of the workforce to focus on family. During this time, she also embarked on part-time studies towards a counselling and psychotherapy qualification. She worked as a psychotherapist for five years, but missed the collaborative nature of being part of a team, and now fulfils the role of administrator for the day houses at Oundle School.

After previously being a trustee Sarah now support’s Chat as Secretary.