“My family have been touched by cancer, like many families. When I was 11 my Nana died with cancer, and at that time there was mainly only hospital care as an option. In 2006 I lost my mum to mouth cancer, we were able to experience the caring and supportive work of hospice services at her local hospice, and more latterly the support from home hospice services for extended family members.
This support was so helpful for us all and it allowed us to focus on being a family more than being care-givers with the limited time we had left together. I have had my own cancer journey and have been more fortunate than my Nana and Mum, and I have had the all-clear for the past three years.
My work role has changed this year, giving me some spare time and I have felt a real call to offer volunteer support to a local charity that provide care and support to people and their families living with cancer. In my work role, I manage Choose Occupational Health, and we support Hospice at Home West Cumbria (HHWC) with their Occupational Health needs.
In June I met Julie Monk, CEO at HHWC, when we were both attending a local business network event. We talked about her service, and she mentioned a Trustee vacancy to support the clinical governance committee; that was the sign I needed to take the leap and apply for the Trustee role. Since, I have started to meet members of the team, and I have felt so welcomed and valued all ready.”