Andy steps down as leader of Norfolk charity 

At the end of February Andy Sexton will be leaving the Norwich-based charity The Matthew Project, after nearly five years as Chief Executive. 

The charity is a major provider of support to young people and adults with substance misuse and mental health issues. Rachel Chapman, currently deputy CEO, will succeed Andy as Interim Chief Executive.

Andy joined The Matthew Project in 2018 and was instrumental in overseeing the design and construction of the Next Steps recovery centre in Oak Street, Norwich. Service users were clear that they did not want a building that felt clinical, and Andy was able to help translate those wishes into a place that is today welcoming, vibrant, and chic. 
 
The Next Steps hub has won various awards but more importantly it has become a place of recovery, hope and community for hundreds of adults, young people and veterans. During Andy’s tenure, the organisation has also expanded services including its support for young people with mental well-being issues, to reduce the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services waiting list. It has extended veteran’s support into Cambridgeshire and strengthened it in Norfolk and Suffolk in partnership with the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust and Walking with the Wounded. 

Liz Wiggins, Chair of The Matthew Project commented: “Andy’s passion to champion the needs of those who have found themselves on the margins of society because of addiction or other mental health issues has enabled The Matthew Project to develop a team of staff who see the person, not the problem, and who are dedicated to bringing hope to over 1,500 people and their families annually. He has our deepest thanks for all he has done, and we wish him well as he plans for the future.”

Andy Sexton added: “The Matthew Project is an outstanding organisation and it’s been a great pleasure and honour to lead it for the past four years. We have a wonderfully committed and professional staff team whose work is more important than ever.”
 
The role of CEO will be filled on an interim basis by Rachel Chapman, who has been Deputy CEO at the charity for over two years overseeing operations and programmes. She has successfully run the On Track project, which has helped more than 1,000 young people towards education, employment and training opportunities.

Pictured above is Andy Sexton