Meet the Team
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CEO / Infant Feeding & Sleep Counsellor
Kathryn Goldsby-West
Kath first came to DBM in 2016, when her 3rd baby was 2 weeks old, and immediately fell in love with the welcoming and supportive vibe of the group. She knew that the evidence-based, non-judgemental support that DBM provided would have made a huge difference to her experience of adjusting to life with her twins 5 years earlier. When it came to the end of her maternity leave she decided not to return to her job as a public finance management accountant in order to take some time exploring a change in direction around raising her young family, so she joined the volunteer team, trained to be a breastfeeding peer-supporter, and took a committee role as treasurer. She went on to train further as a breastfeeding counsellor and infant sleep practitioner. It was seeing the huge impact that the pandemic had on new mothers that embedded her passion for the importance of the “village” during the perinatal period. From 2020 she led the group as Chair through periods of uncertainty, change and expansion, and is excited to build on this further now as CEO.
She provides drop-in feeding and sleep support at DBM, facilitates our workshops and antenatal group, and also volunteers with local charity Oxfordshire Breastfeeding Support and on the National Breastfeeding Helpline.
Volunteer Team
Kim
(Peer Supporter)
"As a ‘stay at home mum’ to three boys, volunteering at DBM has given me independence. I’m able to do something that I care about & enjoy, alongside raising my family. I find it so rewarding to support parents as they start a new chapter of their lives."
Paula
(Peer Supporter)
"Following my retirement from a 35 year career in midwifery, I decided to offer my services as a volunteer in my local area. I absolutely love DBM so much that I completed the Peer Supporter course. This knowledge enables me to offer breastfeeding support to those who need it and signpost those mothers if they require more detailed support. It's a pleasure for me to use the experience I have gained over the years to help mothers and babies in our local community.”
Suzanne
(Volunteer)
"There was nothing like this when I had my babies, 20+ years ago. Having been involved previously as a peer supporter with Oxford Baby Cafe, I loved helping families to navigate the early months of their babies’ lives. It’s great to be able to help the next generation of Didcot babies. I love the non-judgemental way in which all parents are supported, I love the wonderful team, and I love the delicious cake we are treated to each week!"
Lorna
(Mumbassador)
"I have worked in the Pharmaceutical sector for over 10 years and I moved to Didcot just over 6 years ago. I was overjoyed to become a mum to my first baby in June 2024. I started attending DBM with my baby daughter from when she was just 10 weeks old and found it was so beneficial for us both. This super friendly group helped me find "a village" with whom I could talk openly with. Through shared experiences, the group helps me to make some local friends I can hopefully keep for years to come. The support with breastfeeding and postnatal recovery also made me feel more confident in those hazy early months. I now volunteer for the group alongside raising my daughter. It brings me happiness to be able to support new parents embarking on the same exciting rollercoaster journey as myself. I hope to continue volunteering with DBM as it expands, and to get more involved in the various activities the group hosts. I feel privileged to be part of such an important community asset."
Board of Trustees
Helen Canty
(Chair)
Helen is a Project Manager and has also worked as a Primary School Teacher in Oxfordshire. She attended DBM when her first child was born in July 2023. Having grown up in Didcot, Helen became a trustee to give back to the community that has always offered support to her and her family. Helen hopes to use her experience in project management and education to ensure that all new parents in Didcot are supported by their community and that all new babies are welcomed to the place which they will call home.
Samantha Stewart
(Vice Chair/Secretary)
Sam has worked in the museums sector for over ten years and moved to Didcot in 2022. She welcomed her first baby in January 2024 and was a regular visitor to DBM. She is passionate about using her experience of supporting board governance to help DBM grow, so that more local families can access services and support in the early days of parenthood.
Sophie Bartholomew
(Treasurer)
Sophie has a degree in Human Nutrition and has worked in various roles throughout her career including Healthcare companies and Local Government. Sophie had her first baby in October 2023 and was a regular visitor to Bump Club followed by DBM once her baby arrived. Sophie valued the evidence-based approach of the groups and is keen for other parents to have access to this to help them make informed choices, as well as them having the support of peers to help them as they begin the journey with their new baby.
Leanne Avis
(Designated Safeguarding Trustee)
Leanne gave birth to her daughter in March 2021, right at the end of the Covid-19 lockdowns. With no family living nearby, she looked to the local community to build her village and found DBM when her little girl was only a few weeks old. She found the relaxed atmosphere and access to advice and support perfect as a first-time mum. When it was time to leave the group, she wanted to give something back as a thank you for all of the support she received, so stayed on as a volunteer for the rest of her maternity leave and continued to help out during the school holidays when she went back to work full time as a secondary school teacher.
Lisa Mansour
(Trustee)
Lisa is a Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), mother of two and newly a grandmother. She started working with new mothers/birthing parents and babies in 2001 in the NHS and has been working for Oxfordshire Breastfeeding Support (another local registered charity) since 2008. Over the years, she has held various leadership roles alongside her clinical one and also has a small private practice. She is passionate about equity of access for all families wishing to find high quality services like Didcot Baby Monday and has had a strong working relationship with DBM for the last 9 years. Lisa also co-leads our monthly antenatal group Bump Club.
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