Tell us a bit about your role
I am the Programme Lead for the Provider Collaborative - which means I support and oversee new projects, service developments and service changes within the Provider Collaborative.
How long have you been in your role?
I joined the Provider Collaborative in January 2021 to develop the intensive home treatment service - Closer2Home - across Hampshire and Dorset. Once this was completed, I became the Programme Lead for the Provider Collaborative.
What's the best thing about your job?
I love the freedom and autonomy the Provider Collaborative has to innovate and invest in new services which has enabled us to change things so quickly. When I started in 2021 the only offer for children and young people was inpatient beds. Now we have such a broader range of services including day hospitals, community teams, transition teams and our Family Ambassadors, to name a few!
How did you get into the role?
Having worked across the whole country for most of my career I was looking for something a little more local - and saw the Closer 2 Home project manager role on NHS Jobs. I started my career in the NHS in a Mental Health Trust in West London - which I loved, so I thought I would apply and see what happened. Richard Sankar interviewed me, so blame him…
What do you like to do outside of work?
Lots! My family's motto for me is, 'why sit still when you can run around'… I play squash (racket-ball), canoe, golf (badly) and am on the board of a local charity. I also help run racket-ball across Hampshire. If I relax, it's through cooking, eating and drinking with friends and cleaning my car.
Is there anything people would be surprised to know about you?
One of my hobbies is making Lego models. I have several sets, including a range of underwater models and figures in my fish tank!
