Kath Sharman, child therapist and obesity counsellor, self-employed

Employer: Self-employed
Age: 52
Time in job: Five years
Salary: £30,000-£40,000 although work for Shine is mainly
voluntary

The Shine project works with young people aged between 10 and 17 who have obesity problems. It is based in the Manor, one of the most deprived wards in Sheffield.

Kath Sharman, a therapist and the project's founder, decided to set it up after seeing how often obesity contributed to low self-esteem. She herself was overweight so knew just how difficult and damaging the condition could be. "I have had the same struggles as the young people I yo-yo dieted and was teased at school," she says.

But since starting the programme she has set a good example by losing 10 stone, although she concedes she still needs to lose another two. Her own circumstances mean she has a sense of empathy for the young people, something they appreciate, she says. It is rewarding work. "The most satisfying thing is seeing the success of the kids and not just in losing weight," she says. "We've had young people who've been bullied out of school who have built up the confidence to be reintegrated."

Sharman earns a living as a self-employed child therapist for a range of organisations, including the Department of Health. She runs the Shine project on a voluntary basis, fitting it around her other commitments.

Her week consists of meetings with key partners such as Sheffield City Council, interviews with the media to get the anti-obesity message across, and visits to leisure centres to try to get them onside.

Within the centre, her work includes meeting young people, talking to concerned parents, and running the programme of healthy lifestyle classes and activity sessions. "Our programme is unique - we concentrate on psychology. It's a 12-week programme where we do nutrition, food groups and portion sizes. But we also look at why people over-eat and how to manage binge eating."

It's a very busy programme for Sharman who works flexi hours, four days a week. "We believe that if a person needs help they need it now. There is open access - there is always an on call phone number and we are open 11 to 5 on Saturday." She says there is nothing she doesn't enjoy about her job but the constant challenge is to find funding.

My day

7.30: Check email at home

9.00: Arrive at the office and do admin

10.00: Meeting with a social worker

11.30: Travel to a school for meeting with headteacher and learning mentors

13.30: Clinical assessments with young people and meetings with parents

16.30: Case conference for children with particular difficulties

17.00: Answer email

17.30: Break

18.00: Running classes and exercise groups

22.00: Arrive home.