Sheppey Matters is a registered charity working for better health on the Isle of Sheppey. Established over twenty years, it provides over 12 health and well-being community services from the Sheppey Healthy Living Centre in Sheerness, two outreach locations in Eastchurch and many other community venues around the Isle of Sheppey, including two healthy living café’s.

Many of our projects are household names; The Community Chef and Sheppey Wheels are our most established. Our projects cover a wide range of ages and abilities and are fully inclusive. Our dedicated, hard-working and passionate team of over 20 full and part time staff, ably assisted by over 60 volunteers and not forgetting a fully involved and community minded board of trustees, provides year-round activities, programmes, courses, trips and general advice and assistance.

Our Team

Nigel Martin

CEO

Nigel is at the helm of a multi-talented and skilled team delivering a wide range of Sheppey based Projects. He has a travel & tourism and youth work background. He is also a trustee for Age UK Sheppey.

Rebecca Gebbie

Office Manager

Becky is the Manager of Sheppey Matters overseeing the day to day running of the organisation. Becky is a key line manager, supporting all of our projects. She is a keen fund-raiser and is passionate about reaching our community.

Nicola Waghorne

Community Development Manager

Nicola manages a wide variety of Health and Well-Being Activities across the Isle of Sheppey including the Well Life Project.

Amanda Cooper

Healthy Living Centre Coordinator

I am the Healthy Living Centre Coordinator, organising room hire, event planning and networking with support organisations. I also facilitate the Community Wardrobe which gives pre-loved school uniform to those who need it. I also present The Sheppey Matters Afternoon show on a Friday on our Community Radio Station – 92.2 Sheppey FM.

Julie Nicholls

Sheppey FM Project Manager

Julie is the Project Manager for Sheppey FM, securing funding and providing community liaison and volunteer support including training and broadcasting within the Radio Station. She has 12 years experience in this industry.

Beverly Nolker

Project Manager For Special Needs

Beverley began working with Sheppey Matters as a part-time Project Manager to support children and families with special educational needs. She devised a specialised, fun and dynamic psycho-education programme to support and educate children and families who are diagnosed with Neurodiverse conditions. For the past four years the project has been funded via BBC Children in Need and has proven an invaluable resource throughout Sheppey and the Swale area.

Jason Hurren

The Community Chef

Jason is The Community Chef. He works amongst the community to teach needed culinary life skills as well as working alongside schools to improve student's food tech skills.

Vince Zborowski

Mini Bus Driver

Vince has been with Sheppey Matters for many years. He is one of our Mini Bus drivers ensuring our members get to and from their day trips safely.

Elaine Christopher

Youth Club Lead

Elaine runs the Youth and After Schools clubs. She has 16 years youth and community experience.

Julie Calder

Everyday Active Champion

Julie works with Kent Sport and teaches Nordic Walking for our walking program. Her role is varied and can involve anything from supporting an individual to find a suitable activity that meets their needs, linking groups and facilities together, supporting the promotion and development of a new activity, supporting access to training or funding, working with health professional. She also works on articles and promote good physical and mental health, which is something she is very passionate about.

Becki Breiner

Project Co-ordinator

Rebecca’s role as project co-ordinator at Isle Connect You involves meeting seniors experiencing feelings of loneliness or isolation and reintroducing them into the community through befriending, working on self-esteem and offering social opportunities to get involved with various groups and activities that the island has to offer. Rebecca also successfully runs the Sheppey Song Signing Choir, that has a 34-strong membership from all walks of life.

Mikaela Langthorne

ICY Coordinator

Mikaela is proactive with people in our community on the Isle of Sheppey. She is there to support and help their journey back to independence. She aims to improve people’s self-esteem and confidence through support and access to local amenities, recreational or social activities.

Gemma Hunt

Community Gardener

Gemma is part of the Well Life project and looks after the Sheppey Matters allotment plot in Sheerness, working within the community. The aim of the allotments is to create a space where people of all abilities can learn and develop skills and enjoy the mental wellbeing and health benefits that gardening brings.

Sadie Cordwell

Youth Leader And Arts Award Advisor

Sadie runs the Youth Training at Sheppey FM and takes young people through their arts awards, alongside other youth training projects with Sheppey Matters and Sheppey FM, working closely with local schools and colleges.

Wayne Cordwell

Sheppey FM Programme Manager

Wayne is responsible for all of the shows, show schedules, editing, production and programming of the station and looking after the overall output at Sheppey FM.

Lily-Mae Hemmi

Digital Inclusion Lead

Lily's role includes assisting with tablets, phones, laptops and more as well as keeping Sheppey Matters social media and website up to date. She ensures members of the community have access to the internet as well as the relevant education about the digital world that is rapidly increasing around us.