How would you describe your role in one sentence?  

I head up the Education and Research team, equipping staff, health and social care colleagues and volunteers with the skills and confidence to provide the best possible end of life care. 

Can you give us a potted history of your career so far?  

I started work at 15 as a part-time bakery assistant in a supermarket, where I earned the nickname “the donut lady” thanks to my jam-injecting duties. The proximity to cakes was a challenge. After a brief spell on a make-up factory production line, and a waitressing job that confirmed I was far too accident-prone for hospitality, I finally found my calling in social work. 

I spent seven years working in residential care and in a day-centre for adults with learning disabilities before completing a postgraduate social work course at Goldsmiths, London. Since then, I’ve worked as a social worker, fostered children with my family, and spent many years delivering social care training. 

How long have you worked for the Hospice?

I joined the Education and Research team in September 2018.

What three words would you use to describe Princess Alice Hospice?

Passionate, evolving, excellent.

What do you think other people would be surprised to know about your role? 

I once went with a colleague to teach communication skills in a large secure psychiatric hospital- we were already nervous, but even more so, when we found that we had the Medical Director and three Lead Consultant Psychiatrists in the room!. We weren’t sure what we could teach them about communication skills with their patients and families but they seemed to like it and requested that we teach in their other hospital! 

What personal qualities do you think you need to do your job?  

A curious and enquiring mind, a passion for high quality information, flexibility, empathy, a strong commitment to welcoming everybody in the way that’s right for them, an ability to drink copious amounts of good coffee and a slightly wicked sense of humour. 😊 

Who have you learned the most from since starting work at the Hospice?

I have learned so much from so many people at the Hospice, and continue to do so, but two colleagues who stand out for me, are Chloe and Gavin, our Education Officers. Chloe has a marketing background, amazing attention to detail as well as an ability to think through all possible outcomes, so that we can prepare for them! Gavin is a trained counsellor and a technical wizard so he manages to keep us grounded while creating better ways to do things! I feel very fortunate to work alongside them.