About us
WEB (Wellbeing Empowering Brighter Futures) was founded in 1993 by a group of local women who saw a need for better community support in Birkenhead.
What began as a small, volunteer-led network for women has grown into a thriving community organisation supporting adults and young people of all genders across the Wirral.
Our Mission
To provide a trauma-informed, person-centred service that supports local adults and young people to feel safe, rebuild confidence, and move forward in life with hope and purpose.
We support people who may feel isolated, victimised, marginalised, or overlooked. Through listening, learning, and community connection, we help individuals reconnect with their worth and create the life they want, on their own terms.
Our Aims
- Provide time, space and flexible support to help people grow at their own pace
- Offer opportunities to explore personal choices in support of wellbeing
- Support skills development and confidence-building to get more from life
- Create a sense of safety, belonging, and dignity for all who walk through our doors
Expanding Our Impact: Men Too
While our roots are in women’s support, we recognised a growing need to provide the same compassionate, trauma-informed care to men in our community.
Men Too is a charity born from the insight and groundwork of WEB Merseyside. Set up in response to the lack of mental health support available to local men, it exists to ensure men are not left behind.
Men Too offers a safe, non-judgmental space for men to access emotional support, personal development, and wellbeing.
Together, WEB and Men Too reflect a shared commitment to support all people to feel heard, respected, and empowered to take control of their own futures.
Our Impact
We’re proud to be a user-led organisation that always puts people first.
In 2007, WEB was honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service—the highest award for voluntary groups in the UK. Out of 253 nominations, we were one of just two Merseyside organisations to receive it.
Through our services, people gain access to:
- Counselling and one-to-one listening support
- Confidence and self-esteem programmes
- Creative therapy and wellbeing groups
- Trauma and bereavement support
- Professional development and accredited training
- Shared meals, shared laughter, and a genuine sense of belonging
Meet the team
Bernadette (Bernie) King
CEO
Keri Lockhart-Thomson
Deputy CEO
Sharon McKillop
Acting Centre Manager
Rebecca Stockdale
Volunteer Co-ordinator
Kim O’Neill
Trauma Recovery Project Support Officer
Georgina (George) Patterson
Senior Administrator
Anthony Wood
Men Too Project Support Co-ordinator
Ruben Prado
Men Too Sessional Worker
Our Trustees
Sharon Stanton
I joined Women’s Enterprising Breakthrough as a trustee in September 2012, inspired by its mission to empower women through confidence-building, enterprise and community support. With a background in business development and event management, I wanted to contribute in a strategic and supportive capacity—helping the CEO with the organisation’s growth and support for its long-term sustainability. The positive impact the WEB team has on the local community never ceases to amaze me.
Jaki Howe
I have had the great pleasure of supporting WEB Merseyside for nearly 13 years' now. Having worked in a Corporate environment for the majority of my working career. I took early retirement from my role as a Procurement Specialist in a Research environment for Shell in December 2013. I then went on to support WEB and have enjoyed my role as a Trustee very much. I feel it enables me to give something back to the community and you definitely see the results of all the hard effort that goes into the Charity on a day-to-day basis.
Gaynor Williams
‘ WEB appealed to me as a Trustee because it is well organised, offers invaluable services to the local community, and the management, staff and volunteers maintain very high standards. Despite being a small charity WEB manages to assist a large and varied group of service users, and they make a difference to the community.’
Jane Graham (Gilly)
Gilly is a mother of 2 grown-up children. She had past employment in a factory for 10 years before a physical disability forced her to stop working over 20 years ago. Gilly used WEB services for several years for support around multiple disabilities before going on to volunteer with WEB.
Diana Mulligan
I am honoured to be a trustee at WEB as I am proud of the services they provide and how they evolve to provide support for children, families, and community the very best way they know how. I became closely involved with WEB four years ago after attending their Trauma Based Training. It was unbelievable the number of services they provide, and I would promote this at every opportunity in my previous role at Cradle to Career. Their support for wellbeing and mental health for women, men and teens was astounding I had observed an increase for this support during and after the pandemic, especially in children.
Marie Brunt
I have had such a positive experience doing the professionals Trauma course. It has actually changed my life! I loved WEB's values and warmth. I am honoured to be a trustee of something so great, and I hope I can give something back to support WEB to continue improving the lives of others.
Come in for a brew
Whether you need some support or want to offer your time to volunteer, we’d love to get to know you better. Fill in one of our forms and we’ll be in touch to arrange a one-to-one chat.