Healthwatch Area Manager (Bristol, North Somerset, South Glos) - Vicky Marriott
Vicky has lived in the South West for nearly 35 years. She has an Award in Leadership and Management, is a registered Public Health Practitioner and has experience delivering community health interventions & training in Bristol and North Somerset. Her passion for health issues first led her into a journalism career and she was awarded best TV documentary 2003 by the Mental Health Media Trust. Her programme heard patient claims about antidepressants being marketed as safer than they actually were. Revelations led to an MHRA investigation, court cases in UK and USA and a change to safety advice.
Our staff
Volunteer Co-ordinator: Julia Senior-Smith
Julia’s role is to recruit new and support existing Healthwatch volunteers, and support the Enter and View programme - a process where Healthwatch uses its statutory powers for representatives to go into NHS-run health premises and acts as a critical friend - making recommendations for improvements. Julia has a background in children’s services, integrated working practices and employee engagement. She has worked for several years as a volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Society and Positive Step in North Somerset and she has a Diploma in Counselling.
07517 426694
Volunteer Co-ordinator: Rachel Tomlinson
Rachel works 10 hours per week on a job share basis with Julia. Rachel worked as a health and wellbeing officer for over 10 years, managing volunteers at the Forest of Avon Trust and The Forestry Commission. Her freelance work has involved working for children and young people’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent and ForMed Films, a community interest company that makes animated films to help people better understand medical and health issues. Rachel volunteers with Cycling Without Age Bristol.
rachel@healthwatchbnssg.co.uk
South Glos Area Lead: Maisy Griffiths
Maisy studied for Master's degree in Politics before working in the voluntary and community sector organisations, helping them develop communications plans, increase engagement and build partnerships. Maisy also has experience of tackling inequality, diversity and inclusion issues, and says these important values really underpin her work. Maisy says: 'our aim is to hear from all diverse communities'.
01454 506176
maisy@healthwatchsouthglos.co.uk
North Somerset Area Lead: recruitment in progress
Bristol Area Lead: Julie Bird
After completing a psychology degree with the Open University, Julie worked in welfare for 20 years, beginning as a hospital inspector with NHS Scotland and qualifying as a person-centred counsellor and trained CBT therapist. More recently, Julie has worked for Bristol City Council - both as a business development manager for the Energy Service and as a project delivery lead for Community Learning.
0117 2033594
julie@healthwatchbristol.co.uk
Communications Officer: Helen West
Helen studied in Bristol and obtained a Masters in Journalism, before joining the communications team of a national furniture company. She began with Healthwatch as a volunteer, and has recently taken on the role of Communications Officer, which involves keeping our websites updated with local and national public health messages, managing our social media, and press outreach.
07857 055804
Administration Officer: Kate Mould
After studying Biological Sciences at University, Kate worked for the NHS as a Medical Laboratory Assistant and is currently studying for a Master’s degree in Public Health. Kate joined Healthwatch as an office support volunteer and enjoyed working on a variety of projects with the staff and other volunteers. Her new role as the Administration Officer involves providing admin and project support for the team.
01275 851400
