I started my career in healthcare and the NHS as a cadet nurse in Bolton and qualified as a registered nurse and registered midwife going onto achieve a BA(Hons) in Health Care Studies. I then worked as a midwife for many years both in the hospital and community settings. Although very different, this has given me good experience of community working and can relate in some aspects to our Hospice at Home service. I then moved into management and achieved the position of Associate Director in a North West trust. During this time I was responsible for the standards of care, strategy and financial management of one of three divisions of the Trust which included maternity and neonatal services, sexual health, gynecology, pediatrics and at the end of my career, Styal Prison health services. Again this responsibility crossed both the hospital & community.

On retirement, I wanted to put my knowledge and expertise to good use on a voluntary basis. Like many families in Bolton, our family had been supported by the hospice in caring for relatives and friends requiring palliative and end of life care. It seemed like a natural fit and I have been a trustee, as the nurse on the board for 6 years. I have enjoyed being part of the team overseeing the vast improvement of the hospice facilities over the past few years but predictably my main focus has been on the quality of care for our patients and families and workforce issues. I also enjoy supporting the fundraising team with their valuable work and excellent charity events. I see the hospice as an essential safe haven for the people of Bolton.