As a caring and conscientious person, I am committed to improving and making accessible mental health, community and wellbeing services for the residents of Oldham.
I enjoy working with and listening to people, and will strive to ensure Oldham residents know the Trust’s services and how to access them.
As an active governor and team player I am aware of the changes in commissioning services and serious financial constraints facing the NHS. I have been a member of recruitment panels including for the CEO’s role, I’ve observed board meetings, attended training and development sessions, and I’ve met staff and undertaken many visits to services in Oldham.
I’m a good listener and am able to consider complex issues and challenge decisions, whilst keeping the needs of local residents uppermost in my mind.
I’m a retired teacher having worked with young people at Oldham Sixth Form College for almost 20 years. I’m a mother and grandmother, and was the main carer for my son for over 6 years - accessing a wide range of community and hospital services.
I’ve been a board member, and formerly chair, for Healthwatch Oldham since its inception in 2013.
I was born and live in Oldham Borough. I'm a chartered psychologist, with a BSc (Hons) in behavioural sciences and MSc in research and evaluation methods.
I have worked locally, regionally and nationally for over 30 years with young people with a focus on offending behaviours which has enabled me to develop a good understanding of how this can impact of on mental health. I am now involved in research with two UK Universities on various aspects of mental health and well-being.
My voluntary work includes working with the North West Ambulance Service, my GP patient group and various environmental groups protecting the environment.
In working with Pennine Care, I hope to use my professional expertise to listen to local people and communities on what matters to them and seek how we can help address or support this collectively.
The qualities I bring include commitment to positive change, excellent communication skills - listening and trying to reflect that in strategic planning and operational delivery as appropriate. I have always valued and placed equality, diversity and inclusion at the core of all my work.
In my spare time I enjoy walking, reading, growing my own fruit and vegetables and spending time with family and friends.
I am passionate about the continued growth of the NHS, ensuring service users get the treatment they need in a timely manner will be a priority for me.
I am 59 years old and have lived in Oldham all my life. I trained as a psychiatric nurse in the early 80s. I spent time working in office administration until 2006. I own a children’s nursery and support the manager with safeguarding and HR.
I have two children and I am a special guardian to a four year old. I want to support the NHS but also the people of Oldham to ensure they get the best possible care.
I have some health issues and I'm in touch with how the NHS currently functions, I would like to see improvements to patient care and help bring the NHS into the modern world by using technology and improving communications between professionals and patients.
Waiting lists need to be addressed and I believe the whole NHS should be a 24/7 service; scans, planned surgeries etc. should be done seven days a week - not just Monday to Friday. I feel my personal experiences will give me a stronger position to input into future improvements.
