Helen - Chief Executive Officer
“Bradford is my home, and I’m committed to helping make sure every resident has the opportunity to shape the care they receive”
I’m delighted to be the CEO at Healthwatch Bradford and District. Having worked in Bradford for over 20 years, I care deeply about this city and its people, and I’m proud to lead the organisation that champions the patient voice across health and social care services. I bring a broad range of experience across the health and social care sectors, with a long career in inclusion health. I’m passionate about making sure everyone’s voice is heard, whatever their circumstances, and I’m driven by a belief that excellent patient experience should be at the heart of how services are delivered. I work closely with partners across the district to help make that happen.
I’m Bradford born and bred and, apart from my university years, have lived here all my life. Outside work, I'm involved in school and hospital governance and local sporting organisations. My spare time is spent watching my boys play and referee rugby, walking my best mate Keith the bully, and enjoying a good kitchen disco!
Nigel - Director of Operations
My role covers a range of responsibilities, helping to ensure the organisation runs effectively while supporting our mission of improving health and social care services through community insight. I lead on finance and financial management, oversee performance and project delivery, provide strategic support to the Board of Trustees, staff team and volunteers, and act as Deputy to the Chief Exec. when required. A key part of my role is working with colleagues and partners across the health and care system to turn people’s experiences into opportunities for learning and improvement.
What I value most about working for Healthwatch Bradford and District is our ability to provide a platform for people whose voices might not always be heard. We connect local communities with the leaders and decision-makers who shape health and social care services, helping to encourage improvements informed by real experiences.
One piece of work I am particularly proud of was our engagement with the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community, bringing together community members, partners and service leaders to better understand the challenges people face and how services can become more inclusive and accessible.
Alkestid - Community Outreach Coordinator
My name is Alkestid. I help make sure people’s experiences of health and social care services are listened to and used to help make things better. I spend time talking to different communities, building relationships with local groups, and helping share people’s stories so they can help shape services.
I speak with community members and organisations to hear their experiences. I support engagement activities, look for common themes in what people tell us, help write reports, and work with colleagues and partners to make sure people’s views are heard. I have been involved in projects to improve inclusion and reduce inequalities, including helping to develop a local anti-racism framework. I am passionate about making sure community voices help guide service improvements.
What I enjoy most about my role is meeting people from different backgrounds and making sure their voices are heard. I care about reducing inequalities, improving access to care, and helping bring real experiences into discussions about health and social care services. Outside of work, I enjoy staying active, learning new things, and exploring different cultures and ideas.
Sammie – Community Outreach Coordinator
As part of a small team, we all contribute across different areas of work, but my main focus is on projects, community research and engagement. My role is about making sure local people’s voices and experiences help shape health and social care services across Bradford and District.
I build relationships with partner organisations, community groups and local people, helping to identify issues and barriers people may face when accessing services. I support projects from planning and engagement through to reporting and recommendations, and I also support the organisation by monitoring incoming communications. I am passionate about inclusive engagement and accessible communication, helping to ensure that lived experience and the voices of seldom-heard communities remain at the heart of our work. I strongly believe in the principle of “Don’t make decisions about me, without me.”
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, travelling, exploring new places and going to music events. I’m also a sci-fi geek with an interest in graphic novels and comics, quantum physics and VR, and I’m currently learning more about Tai Chi and mindfulness.