At Evolve, we’re committed to making counselling accessible, affordable, and people-centred. Our story stretches back to 1978, and today our work is guided by a dedicated team of trustees, staff, and counsellors who share a passion for supporting mental health and wellbeing in our communities.
Our Board of Trustees
Evolve is guided by a board of dedicated trustees who bring expertise from across health, finance, law, business, and community services. Their role is to ensure we stay true to our values, uphold high standards of governance, and keep our focus on making counselling accessible and effective for all.
Trustee – Michelle Munro
Michelle is a Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapist with over 15 years’ experience in brain injury, mental health, and complex needs. She brings clinical insight and leadership to ensure services remain safe and person-centred. Michelle is passionate about resilience, recovery, and community inclusion.
Treasurer – Matt Ward
Matt is a CIMA-qualified accountant with over 25 years’ experience across private and community sectors. He is UK Finance Director for the country’s largest supplier of fresh cut flowers and brings financial oversight and strategic insight to Evolve. In his spare time, he enjoys running and scuba diving.
Trustee, Chair of the Trustee Board – Richard Brock
Richard has over 25 years’ senior leadership experience across the private, NHS, local government, and charity sectors. He is Head of Business Development at Cambridgeshire County Council and has lived experience of mental health support. Richard lives in South Lincolnshire with his partner and pets.
Trustee – Newland McKelvey
Newland has a background in IT and business management, with over 30 years’ experience across public and private sectors. He brings expertise in systems and strategy to Evolve. Outside work, he enjoys sport, family time, and motorbiking.
Trustee – Ariecho Gros
Ariecho brings 17 years’ experience in the built environment and M&A sector, alongside charity governance roles. She is founder of Autistic Community Canvas, helping autistic people express themselves through art. She enjoys travelling and exploring green spaces with her family.
Our Team
Behind Evolve is a small, dedicated team that keeps our services running day to day. From coordinating referrals and supporting counsellors, to ensuring clients get timely access to care, our staff work closely together to make counselling accessible, affordable, and person-centred. Though small in number, our team is united by a big commitment: helping people get the support they need, when they need it.
Our team is led by our Clinical Director, Simone Jalabert.
Clinical Services Coordinator – Hazel Bowyer-Adams
Hazel coordinates Evolve’s clinical services, working closely with counsellors and clients to ensure high standards of care. She has a background in project management and wellbeing services within national and local charities. In her free time, Hazel enjoys running, cycling, and exploring the coast.
Business Development & Fundraising – Gerard Bouton
Gerard heads business development and fundraising, focusing on client partnerships, grants, and donations to support affordable counselling. He brings years of sales and marketing leadership experience, most recently in IT solutions for the UK public sector. Outside work, Gerard enjoys cycling, DIY, boating, and classic cars.
Admin & Operations - Jon Moore
Jon provides admin and operations support to the chair and clinical director. He has years of retail & hospitality management experience and business development. In his time outside of Evolve, Jon is a working music professional, AI tooling enthusiast and passionate strategy board game player.
Our Partners
Evolve is proud to work alongside our dedicated outsourced support partners, which keeps our costs low and standards high. These include: ADC Online (web support), Ansacom (reception and enquiry routing), George Hay Chartered Accountants and business services, KVT (bookkeeping and finance support) and Serendipiti IT services.
Our History
Evolve was founded in Cambridgeshire in 1978, originally as Cambridgeshire Consultancy in Counselling (CCC). The aim was simple: to make counselling affordable and accessible for adults who needed it, and to train counsellors to professional standards.
What began in Cambridge, Peterborough and St Ives soon grew to serve Ely, St Neots and surrounding counties. By 1983, three core features defined our work: affordable access to counselling, a community of professional counsellors, and a learning organisation committed to high standards.
CCC became an independent charity in 1995, achieved registration with the Charity Commission in 1996, and transitioned to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation in 2019. In March 2021 we rebranded as Evolve Counselling — the same charity, with the same commitment to accessible, high-quality support, under a new name.
Our Values
Our values sit at the heart of everything we do:
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People – welcoming everyone with warmth and belonging
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Clients – putting client needs first
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Counsellors – supporting counsellors as a professional community
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Community – collaborating for wider social impact
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Principles – upholding the highest ethical standards
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Equality – ensuring fair access and respect for all
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Empathy – treating everyone with kindness and dignity
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Professionalism – delivering high-quality, affordable, confidential counselling
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Integrity – working honestly and openly
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Accountability – being responsible for everything we do
The Difference We Make
"I cannot thank my counsellor enough for her support in the sessions which have resulted in me being able to move on with my life and to feel the happiest I have in years!"
My counsellor really listened, and for the first time I felt understood without judgement. The sessions have helped me find confidence again and given me tools to cope with everyday life. I’m so grateful for the support.”
“My counsellor made me feel safe, respected and listened to. I was really worried about coming for counselling, but she couldn’t have done more to help me relax and get out of the big black hole I had got myself in.”
“At first I was sceptical of counselling but after a few sessions I realised that it was helping me to cope, and understand my situation. I now highly recommend it.”