How would you describe your role in one sentence?

My role here at the Hospice is about making sure that everyone in our care area is able to access our services to support people in the last phase of life.

What’s the first thing you do on a standard day?

Well, is there a standard day!?

Check my emails, check my calendar, work out the priorities and get stuck in.

How many people would you come into contact with?

This can vary so sometimes not many, it’s passing people in the corridor and in the office, other days it can be 20 or 30 depending on what I’ve got set up for the day.

What’s your favourite task?

I really like getting out and meeting people, finding out about real life, making connections and seeing if there’s anything we can do with different organisations and people.

Which task do you dislike the most?

Hhmmm, there must be something, but I can’t think of anything! There are definitely things I like doing less. There are days when I’m at my desk without any interaction with other people, that’s my least favourite type of day.

What’s the most interesting thing about your job?

Meeting people, talking with people, learning. In terms of thinking about Diversity & Inclusion, nobody is an expert, every death is different, every person is different and unique and I think opening up my understanding of other people’s lives is really rewarding.

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

Probably that it exists!  Also, that the Hospice has invested in this role as a key part of our strategy as a genuine long term piece of work.

Is this the first time you’ve been in a role of this kind?

Yes. Before working at the Hospice I worked at Marie Curie for about 8 years. Mainly on service development with commissioners and clinicians. This is my first role focused on Diversity and Inclusion specifically.

What skills do you need to do your job?

Listening, prioritising, having the ability to build relationships. Aligned to those three key skills you need project management skills, chunking work up, reporting on it and managing the risks.

What’s the last thing you do before you leave at the end of the day?

If I’m having a good day, I check the next day to see what I need to have in mind for when I come in the next day, planned and prepared. On a hectic day, shut the laptop and duck out to collect Theo from nursery!