MEET THE HEALTHWATCH NORTHUMBERLAND STAFF TEAM
Derry Nugent
Derry leads the Healthwatch Northumberland staff team and is also Deputy Chief Executive for our umbrella organisation, Adapt (NE). Derry works with the Board to ensure we listen to the communities of Northumberland when they talk about health and social care and use the strength of this collective voice to build relationships with providers and influence change.
Derry has wide experience working in senior and leadership roles in the public and charity sectors. She started her career in the Citizens Advice Bureau service before moving to grant making and fundraising.
Claire Jackson
Claire leads on communications and brand management for both Healthwatch Northumberland and Adapt (NE) and has a strong background in marketing, communications and PR across a range of sectors.
She is committed to ensuring people in Northumberland can access the information they need about health, care and support services, in ways that work for them. With a focus on accessible and inclusive communication, Claire aims to reach a wide range of communities and help ensure everyone feels informed and included.
Claire says: “We want to make sure all of our communications add value to people and provide them with the information they need to engage with our services, and those of other organisations across Northumberland and beyond.”
Laura Haugh
Prior to joining the Healthwatch Northumberland team, Laura gained experience in communication and marketing across a variety of sectors including housing, education and working for a PR agency. She also spent time as a Communications Volunteer for the Northumberland MS Society group, helping them develop their communication channels.
Laura is focused on raising awareness about Healthwatch Northumberland’s work and helping the people of Northumberland’s have their say on the services they and their families use. She enjoys creating interesting content and using social media platforms to engage with people.
Helen Brown
Our Engagement Officer Helen joined the team after working at Talking Matters Northumberland, on a project encouraging and supporting people into physical activity and promoting mental health awareness to sports and activity providers. Prior to this she worked in many charity sector organisations including Shelter, Women’s Aid and Victim Support.
She is looking forward to connecting and consulting with people in Northumberland about the health and social care issues that are important to them, making a positive difference to the services people use and raising awareness of the work of Healthwatch Northumberland.
Tim Hakim
Tim joined us after having spent most of his career working with children, young people and their families, both in the voluntary sector and local authorities across the North East. Before this he worked in the adventure travel industry where he developed his interest in customer satisfaction surveying and analysis. In his spare time Tim volunteers as a Trustee of West Northumberland Food Bank.
Tim is looking forward to working with colleagues in helping the people of Northumberland’s opinions and comments improve the health and social care services in the county.
Lorna Beech
Before joining the team, Lorna worked as an Independent NHS Complaints Advocate, so understands the importance of helping people overcome barriers to accessing good quality health and social care services in their communities.
Lorna has also worked within the voluntary and education sectors. As a school PTA volunteer, she appreciates the value that volunteers bring, and enjoys working alongside them to further the work of Healthwatch Northumberland, whilst also making sure volunteering with us is an enriching and positive experience.
Lorna has recently taken on the role of Adapt (NE)’s Community Hub Coordinator, alongside managing the volunteering function for both Adapt (NE) and Healthwatch Northumberland.
