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Get to know us

We’re a friendly, understanding, and helpful team here at OTR; not only do we believe passionately in supporting young people, but we champion youth-led change and youth voice.

The work we do in supporting local young people is delivered collaboratively between volunteers, counsellors, a groupwork team and small crew of back office staff. Corniche Plumridge is our CEO, she has vast experience in the mental wellbeing and charity sector and has the support of our team of Trustees who each bring their own invaluable areas of expertise.

Corniche Plumridge- CEO

I have worked in the volunteer sector throughout my career, including on national projects, implementing county-wide services, and ensuring operational excellence. My motivation stems from a genuine desire to support young people in living their best lives and cultivating their aspirations for the future. As a former young carer who faced some childhood challenges, I am passionate about inclusion, youth voice, and improving mental health services for young people. In my personal life, I enjoy both mini and big adventures, with trying new experiences and going to new places being one of my favourite things to do—beekeeping has been a highlight so far! I’ve hiked the Himalayas, and I am a carer. I also have a pet tortoise named Sheldon and a great collection of hats.

Counsellors

We literally couldn’t run OTR without the dedication, professionalism and high-quality counsellors we are proud to have work with us. Some counsellors volunteer and others work sessionally. All counsellors working with young people aged 11-16 at OTR adhere to BACP regulatory standards and hold a diploma and degree level qualification, alongside experience and qualifications to work with young people aged 11 plus. Our student counsellors work with young people who are 16 years plus and the parents/carers that access our service. If you would like to be a counsellor at OTR and you’re already a qualified counsellor or student counsellor with ‘fitness for practice status’ we’d love to hear from you.

Become a Counsellor

Volunteers

Without our volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to deliver the quality service for which OTR is known and loved. Our Trustees, Support Workers, and some of our Counsellors are volunteers. The majority live locally, bringing their knowledge of the area, professional skills and life experience into their volunteering roles. We value the unique gift of time and knowledge that our pool of 40+ volunteers bring to their work with young people; their wisdom informs the development and delivery of our activities and projects.

Become a Volunteer

Groupwork

Our amazing Groupwork team work hard to devise, organise and run OTR’s workshops, courses and groupwork sessions at our centre in Leigh Park Community Centre and in outreach sessions at local schools and community centres. The team work directly with young people who feel that they would benefit from sessions alongside other young people. Those that have come to these groups before have said it has really helped them, and that it was a relief to feel like they are not alone with how they are feeling.

Register for Groupwork

Trustees

OTR is governed by our Board of Trustees, who have a raft of experience from a diverse set of industry sectors. We meet our volunteer Trustees each month to provide us with support and insight into continuing our purpose of supporting young people’s mental health to fulfil their potential for a brighter future. We are enormously grateful to them for their time, dedication and encouragement.

Become a Trustee

Emma Dovener

Emma joined Off The Record in 2024, with 10 years' experience working in the charitable sector, first as part of The Children's Society's young carers service, and more recently as the Grants Manager for Energise Me, supporting organisations across Hampshire to access funding for physical activity. Emma is passionate about youth participation, equitable grantmaking, and neuro-inclusive practice. She grew up in Waterlooville and is a keen open water swimmer.

Matilda Drummond

Matilda joined OTR as a Trustee in 2024, with the aim of using her experience in operational risk to enhance the resilience of the charity. As an operational risk analyst for an alternative investments fund administrator, she enhances organizational response to both predicted and unforeseen risk events. Matilda studied risk at the master's level at the University of Southampton and during this time, also volunteered as a Samaritans Listening Volunteer, providing support to anyone who was struggling to cope. Matilda advocates for the importance of prioritising young people's mental health, helping them develop the skills to navigate life's challenges early on.

Dee Holmes

Dee has been a trustee at OTR since 2021. She is a qualified counsellor and supervisor and worked for Relate from 1997 until 2024. She was the National Safeguarding lead at Relate for 6 years and brings her experience in the areas of safeguarding and GDPR compliance to her role as a trustee at OTR. Dee was a young carer for her mother who had epilepsy. This experience, alongside her experience as a counsellor, has led her to realise the importance of the support OTR provides in this area. She is pleased to have the opportunity to support this in the role of a trustee.

Andrew Carter

Andrew joined OTR in 2019, having retired that year from the Royal Air Force following almost 37 years’ service. During his career, his role involved supporting service personnel and their families, and it was during this time he became interested in the welfare of young people following various welfare courses, including mental health first aid and suicide awareness. During his time with the RAF, Andrew was involved in the wider application of Charity Commission Regulations involving on-base charitable clubs and Messes. Andrew is an HR consultant and brings this specialisation to the Board of Trustees along with the knowledge and application of the regulation. Andrew has been Chair of the Trustees since 2022.

Catherine Davies

Catherine joined Off The Record in 2024 with over 10 years experience in running her own private counselling practice. Catherine has supported her teenage daughter through a lengthy period of anxiety and low mood, and feels she has the understanding and experience from both the parent and therapist perspective. Catherine recognises the need and importance of free therapy for families that struggle to access support due to financial limitations and is happy to have the opportunity to support such a worthy charity as a trustee. Catherine grew up in the Fareham area, has travelled extensively, lived and worked overseas and in London, and enjoys water sports, yoga, and walking her puppy.

Ambassadors

Our ambassadors champion the OTR’s work within the local community and support our charity’s goals and objectives.

Steve Frampton MBE

Dorset (Weymouth) born, with a lifelong passion for Post 16 education, sport, music and environmental issues. The first in his family to enter Post 16 education, Steve gained a 1st Class Hons BSC in Geography, Geology, and Archaeology at Leicester University in 1979 and later obtained PGCE Distinction at Keele University.

From 2005 until August 2018 Steve was Principal of Portsmouth College, a very rapidly growing and innovative stand-alone community SFC and winner of the AoC Beacon for Collaboration (2010) and the Use of Technology to Improve Learning (2017). 2017 also saw Steve’s extensive career being recognised at the highest level, with the awarding of a MBE for Services to Education in the Queen’s New Year Honours.

In August 2018 after retiring from Portsmouth College Steve was appointed President of Association of Colleges and then re-elected for a second term. He is now FE/HE Climate Commissioner and Chair of AoC Services Board, and on the AoC Sport Board and AoC Charitable Trust Board. As well as Ambassador for OTR Steve works internationally as an educational consultant, his work includes Leadership and Cultural Change , Values -led Education, Technology for Learning , Timetable reform for positive well-being and improved educational outcomes, Student engagement and governance, and Environmental Sustainability in Education.

How you can Help

Donate

As a small grassroots charity we rely on a mix of funding streams and donations to deliver our counselling and groupwork services. Your donation really does help to keep our doors open and supporting as many young people as we can. Thank you.

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Volunteer

There are several ways you can volunteer; as a counsellor, support worker or supporting our groupwork services.

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Be a corporate donor/ support Us as part of your CSR

Whether you’d like to partner with us for employee fundraising and engagement, commercial donations, volunteering or one-off activities, we can work with you to create a partnership that leaves your employees inspired and knowing they’ve helped young people within their community.

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