MEET THE TEAM

Founder & CEO

Jessica Gallier-Booth is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Martin Gallier Project, a leading suicide prevention, intervention and postvention charity serving communities across Cheshire and Merseyside.

Jessica established the charity following the suicide of her father, Martin Gallier, in 2017. Driven by both personal experience and a determination to improve outcomes for people experiencing suicidal crisis, she founded The Martin Gallier Project to address the gaps she witnessed in support services for those at risk of suicide and those bereaved by it.

Under Jessica's leadership, the charity has grown from a small local service into an award-winning organisation that has delivered more than 60,000 life-saving interventions. The Martin Gallier Project is recognised nationally for its innovative, evidence-based approach to suicide prevention and its commitment to providing accessible, compassionate support without barriers or waiting lists.

Jessica works closely with researchers, healthcare providers, commissioners, the media, and policymakers to influence suicide prevention strategy and improve support pathways. She is a passionate advocate for lived experience, early intervention and the belief that suicide prevention is everybody's business.

In 2026, Jessica was honoured to receive the Cheshire Woman of the Year Award in recognition of her leadership, dedication and contribution to saving lives and supporting families affected by suicide.

Her vision remains simple; that nobody facing suicidal crisis should feel they have nowhere to turn, and that every person is given the opportunity to find hope, support and another option.

Chief Operating Officer

Deryn Basnett is the Chief Operating Officer of The Martin Gallier Project and is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the organisation, ensuring that services are delivered safely, effectively and to the highest possible standard.

Deryn joined The Martin Gallier Project as a volunteer following the loss of her brother, Daniel, to suicide in May 2020. Inspired by a passion to help others and improve support for those affected by suicide, she became a full-time member of the team in May 2021 as Head of Service and Operations, leading the charity's suicide intervention services and working closely with colleagues to continuously develop and improve support provision.

As a member of the senior leadership team, Deryn now plays a central role in the strategic development and growth of the organisation, helping to ensure that individuals experiencing suicidal crisis, and those affected by suicide, can access timely, compassionate and life-saving support across the North West.

Drawing on both professional expertise and lived experience, Deryn is a passionate advocate for suicide prevention. She works closely with staff, partners, commissioners and stakeholders to strengthen services, improve outcomes and ensure that support remains accessible to those who need it most.

With a strong commitment to quality, innovation and continuous improvement, Deryn has been instrumental in supporting the growth of The Martin Gallier Project and expanding its impact across the North West.

At the heart of Deryn's work is a belief that every person deserves to be heard, supported and given hope, and that effective suicide prevention begins with compassion, understanding and human connection.

Head of Partnerships & Training

Jodie's journey with The Martin Gallier Project began in 2021 following the loss of her cousin to suicide. Determined to turn her grief into positive action, she made it her mission to help others find hope, achieve happiness and create a life worth living.

During her time with the organisation, Jodie volunteered with The Self Care Movement, supporting women affected by suicide, became fully ASIST trained and took on the role of The Martin Gallier Project's first Wellbeing Coordinator. In this role, she supported individuals who had achieved safety from suicide, offering guidance, practical support and compassionate listening.

As Head of Partnerships and Training, Jodie leads on building relationships with businesses, organisations, schools and community groups across the North West, helping to raise awareness of suicide prevention and create suicide-safer communities.

Jodie also oversees The Martin Gallier Project's training programme, coordinating courses including ASIST, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and safeTALK. She plays a key role in training and developing new staff, supporting ongoing professional development and helping to ensure the organisation's robust processes, governance and safety standards remain at the heart of service delivery.

Passionate about education, partnership working and suicide prevention, Jodie is committed to breaking down stigma, encouraging open conversations and ensuring that nobody has to face their darkest moments alone.

Head of Service-Wirral & Chester

Georgia joined The Martin Gallier Project following the loss of her best friend to suicide in February 2022. Driven by a desire to support others affected by suicide, she began her journey as a Suicide Intervention Worker, using her lived experience to help individuals navigate some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

Today, as Head of Service for Wirral and Chester, Georgia leads a team of dedicated Suicide Intervention Workers, ensuring that individuals experiencing suicidal crisis receive timely, compassionate and effective support. She is responsible for overseeing service delivery across the region, supporting her team to provide the highest standards of care while maintaining the organisation's commitment to safety, quality and person-centred support.

Drawing on both her professional expertise and lived experience, Georgia is passionate about helping people find hope and supporting them to create a life worth living. Her leadership, compassion and commitment to excellence make a significant difference to the lives of those accessing support and to the team she leads.

Through her work, Georgia continues to play a vital role in strengthening suicide prevention services across Wirral, Chester and the wider North West.

Executive Administrator

The wonderful Em joined our team on a kickstarter position in July 2021 as they have a huge passion for suicide prevention and helping others. Em plays a key role in keeping us all organised here in MGP! Most recently Em has taken a proactive approach towards leading the Belong group and will be contributing greatly to it’s growth. Em is also Team MGP’s data guru and can often be found analysing our data and trends allowing MGP to evolve quickly and effectively to meet current demand.

They/Them.

Domestic Abuse & Healthy Relationships Specialist

Jules works with The Martin Gallier Project to deliver crucial support to those facing crisis due to contributing factors such as relationship breakdowns and domestic abuse. Jules has 17 years experience of supporting families across Wirral and previous jobs have included early years and youth work, family support and domestic abuse specialist/trainer. These roles have led Jules to recently co-create a Healthy Relationships Hub.

Support Banana

Beatrice joined our team back in April 2022 to help teach the young people in our communities how to keep safe from Suicide. She has been sliding through the doors of many schools across the north west to provide students with the tools needed to help themselves and others if they ever had thoughts of Suicide. During her visits to the schools Beatrice plays the role of a suicidal banana, and through the informative session provided the young people get the opportunity to save her life. Beatrice has helped out at multiple events and has even appeared on the news to support MGP with their mission of breaking the stigma surrounding suicide by making the topic more approachable to talk about. She has now became a valuable member of the team.

What would you like to see her do next?!

Administrator-Wirral

Tasha has been attending The Self Care Movement for over 2 years. Keen to increase her involvement, Tasha joined Team MGP as an Administrator for the New Ferry base in January 2024. Tasha has a positive approach and is enthusiastic about helping people, whether it’s seating you and providing a hot drink when you attend an appointment or fulfilling her administrative duties keeping us on track. Tasha continues to give back to the community by co-facilitating The Self Care Movement with Jodie, providing hope and support to women just like her.

Suicide Intervention Worker

Prior to being a part of Team MGP, Natalie was a self-employed artist and during her free time Natalie started voluntarily mentoring young people, sparking a passion for helping those with their mental health. This came naturally as Natalie understands all about struggling with mental ill health, this is due to living with depression, suicidal thoughts and suicidal ideation for most of her teenage and adult years.

Through a lot of help, support and patience, Natalie got herself to a stable place mentally so that she can give her all to helping those in need, just like she once was.

Chair

Ellie has brought several years’ experience in management and as a specialist in Marketing recruitment across the Northwest region to the board of Trustees. Ellie’s expertise include: Permanent professionals within; Generalist Marketing, Digital Marketing, Marketing Strategy, Communications Internal and External and Analytical.

Ellie has incredible passion for suicide prevention, the progress of The Martin Gallier Project and ensuring its beneficiaries receive the best possible care.

Trustee

Pauline has been promoting mental health and wellbeing for many years and recognises the increasing need that people have for support, awareness, education and understanding. Pauline was awarded an MBE due to her selfless commitment and work towards improving mental health in the military and civilian community. Pauline has completed 33 years regular service in the army and has been a reservist for 4 years. Pauline was mobilised in March 2020, as a Military Liaison Officer, to the Scottish Government, as a member of their COVID planning team and is now a volunteer vaccinator.

Pauline promotes equality, diversity and inclusion. Pauline believes we all have the right to live life in our own way as long as it does not have a detrimental impact on others. Pauline hopes that the stigma around mental health ends soon. With education and understanding, we can promote better mental health and wellbeing as a whole.

Trustee

Janet provides a strong belief in the importance of mental health and the support people require due her own personal experience of being bereaved by suicide.

Janet’s strong interpersonal and relationship skills, as well as her experience within administration, providing advice and support to our administration team has been and will continue to be a fundamental asset.

Trustee

Brenda Slater has recently joined the Board of Trustees following her own journey with The Martin Gallier Project. Brenda comes to us with 20 years experience in the Civil Service and 23 years experience as a School Secretary. Brenda describes herself as a little bit wacky and a little bit serious (only when needs must), she loves to live life to the full as best she can.

Brenda is married to Colin, who she describes as her rock as he supports whatever adventures she gets up to. They have a dear, daft dog called DJ who rules the roost at home.

Brenda loves socialising particularly when it involves food and dancing.

Brenda tells us she is pleased and grateful to be able to play a part in helping suicide prevention. Brenda is looking forward to working alongside the devoted team that is MGP.

Trustee

Stuart has been bereaved by suicide. He is keen to use his skills and experience to support the Martin Gallier Project to continue to make a positive difference for their clients, promoting strong mental health and breaking down stigma.  

Stuart has worked in the justice system for over 25 years.

He currently works for the Solicitors Regulation Authority having worked for the Legal Aid Agency and run his own Management Consultancy.

He has a Masters Degree in Business Administration.