Meet the Team

Denise has lived in South Derbyshire for 28 years and is now retired from her role as a Headteacher, following 32 years in education. Alongside her academic work and before becoming a Headteacher, her leadership roles in a number of schools included pastoral work with children, young people and families to access support from a wide range of health and social care services, in addition to having responsibility for safeguarding.

Denise also led on achieving Healthy School status and has a real interest in current scientific thinking about personalised nutrition as well as supporting young people with special needs and their families who need ongoing support.

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Hannah grew up in Derbyshire and moved to London to train as a nurse. Following a successful clinical career she used her experience to move into Human Resources management, specialising in recruitment and resourcing.

She returned to Derbyshire over 20 years ago and has continued to work across health and care gaining further experience in local government, a housing charity and the NHS.

Hannah currently leads a careers academy promoting employment opportunities and careers development across health and social care with a specific interest in reducing health inequalities.

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Carl worked in the public sector throughout his career, initially for the NHS before joining local government and retired from his role as Assistant Director of Finance (Audit) for Derbyshire County Council in 2021. This post required him to be involved in the full range of services provided by the Council and its partners. Carl is a Chartered Management Accountant and has extensive knowledge and experience of governance, internal control and risk management. He has many years of experience operating at board level and working collaboratively with public, private and voluntary organisations.

Carl believes that public services have a vital role to play in improving everyday life and that service users should have the opportunity to be involved and engaged in health and care delivery. Carl joined Healthwatch Derbyshire in 2023 and is committed to ensuring that the organisation uses its unique position to gather the public’s views to influence the provision of health and social care. 

Carl and his wife, who is a retired nurse have lived in Derbyshire for more than thirty years and enjoy travel, walking and keeping active.

Originally from Hampshire, Al has lived in Dronfield, in North East Derbyshire, for the past forty years. He has a wide experience of the voluntary sector, particularly in relation to mental health peer support groups. With assistance from staff at Bipolar UK, in 2011 he helped to set up a support group for people in the Chesterfield area affected by a Bipolar condition. The group includes both people with a condition and family/carers/ friends; it is currently providing support to a large number of people.

As Chair of Finance on the governing body of a local Junior School, Al also has extensive experience in setting and managing budgets. He first became a Parent Governor when his children attended the school and has continued as a Co-opted Governor since.

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Tim retired as Director of Strategy from Derbyshire Community Health Services in 2020 after working in the NHS for 37 years. He has extensive experience at board level and also many years experience of integrated working across health and social care systems.

During his time in the NHS, Tim has worked across all health sectors and has previously served as a trustee in the charitable sector. Tim is also an accredited Coaching and Mentoring practitioner and has lived with his family in Derbyshire for 22 years.

Helen has lived in Derbyshire for the last 38 years and retired from her role as Director of Integrated Commissioning in Kirklees, West Yorkshire in 2021.

Helen has many years of experience at board level working with service users and carers, health and care providers and commissioners and the voluntary sector. Helen trained as a peer reviewer with social care.

Helen joined Healthwatch Derbyshire in early 2022 to find out more about their independent role in how health and care is delivered and used in Derbyshire.

Helen also volunteers with us at Healthwatch Derbyshire, and is looking forward to getting involved and training for the Enter and View reviews. These reviews are looking at the experiences of people living within care facilities in Derbyshire.  

In her spare time Helen enjoys spending time with her husband and three grandsons, walking and keeping fit and active.

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Fiona currently works as a health and social care researcher predominantly in the NHS and at the University of Nottingham. She has a special interest in the organisation and management of the care of older people and those who care. Social groups and alternative ways to provide support are of interest with a keen interest in the support of those with mental health, isolation and neuro-disabilities. She has contributed to many policy and peer-reviewed articles. Her most recent work has included the impact of COVID-19 within the care home sectors.

Fiona has lived in rural Derbyshire for the past 12 years, having previously lived in Nottingham. She lives with her husband, cats and a dog. Fiona has a long-term disability with impacts on her vision and hearing.

Fiona hopes to contribute towards Healthwatch Derbyshire by sharing her knowledge and also learning from the diverse boards of directors and staff members.

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Jo is the lead of the Derbyshire Psychological Insights team, and a Consultant Clinical Psychologist. Jo has worked in Derbyshire as a psychologist since 2016, following a previous career in social work during which time she held a regional role also covering Derbyshire. Jo is passionate about making health fairer in Derby and Derbyshire – and much of the work she now does as a psychologist focuses on this aspect of health and wellbeing.

Jo is passionate about working alongside communities, and away from work Jo is a keen volunteer for a local inclusive football club that supports local foodbanks. Through this, and other grassroots activities, Jo has experienced the power of communities to make a difference, and transform lives.

Jo’s experiences have led to an unwavering commitment to supporting health and social care to work more closely with communities, particularly those that are marginalised, to improve access, experience, and outcomes. Jo will bring this drive to their role on the Board of Directors for Healthwatch Derbyshire, supporting the invaluable work of an organisation with a central role in centring and amplifying the voices, experiences, priorities, strengths, and needs of local communities.

Victoria is Head of Mental Health and Learning Disability Nursing at the University of Derby. She is also a Registered Mental Health Nurse and has many years of clinical experience working in a range of mental health settings including acute and urgent care, dementia services and older adult care. She has worked across Derbyshire while undertaking these roles and has an excellent understanding of the challenges faced by different communities across the county. Her academic interests include autism and neurodiversity, particularly in relation to mental health and nursing care. She is also currently undertaking a PhD looking at the changes in mental health nurses' professional identity since the 1960s. Victoria also has experience working as a trustee for the charitable sector. She is also a football coach for a grass roots youth team. 

Born in Buckinghamshire, Victoria moved to Sheffield to attend University and then came to Derbyshire in 2006, where she lives with her husband and children. Her professional background, family experiences and own journey as a late-diagnosed autistic woman mean she is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of the local population.