Meet our Freedom to Speak up Champions!

As a former FTSU Champion, it is Carolin’s ambition to ensure that everyone feels enabled to be honest and transparent when things aren’t quite right. For Carolin, Freedom to Speak Up is about:

• Supporting colleagues to feel able to work to their full potential
• CityCare striving for continual service improvement through honest feedback
• Giving insights into how CityCare can do things differently.

Before joining our Safeguarding team in 2007, Jo worked as a Health Visitor both in Nottingham and Kent. Before this, she was an adult nurse and a practice nurse both in the UK and abroad.

Jo says: ‘There has been such a positive change over the years in relation to all staff having a voice when they want to share their concerns,’

Jo became a FTSU Champion to help continue with this change and enable staff to feel their worries and concerns are listened to and acted on appropriately.

David joined CityCare in December 2019 because he had always been passionate about patient and staff experience, and how they affect clinical outcomes and engagement.

David says: ‘I want to help ensure all CityCare colleagues feel they are listened to, and help be an advocate for my them  to improve their personal wellbeing and wider work environment,’

Before becoming Head of Clinical Services for Children and Families, Katy worked in our Safeguarding team.

Katy became an FTSU Champion because she strongly believes people should be able to freely raise any concerns they may have.

Katy also recognises the need for different pathways to be available to ensure their voices are heard and support positive change when things are not working as they should be.

As a Nurse and Clinical Educator, Allison is passionate about people having the right to have their voices heard, not only concerns, but also how things can be improved.

Allison says: “Since I qualified as a nurse, there have been many changes within the healthcare arena and it’s only through change that we can continue to progress. FTSU is all about supporting every colleague to feel empowered and supported in knowing their voice is heard and listened to, for both the current and future workforce.”

Lauren is a Clinical Trainer for CityCare, with a background in Infection Prevention and Control, Clinical Governance, and service improvement.

As FTSU Champion, it is Lauren’s role and passion to advocate for staff to tell their workplace truth. This allows staff to work in the knowledge that patient and staff safety and wellbeing is paramount.

Lauren says: “I aim to offer you a safe and welcoming space to feedback your concerns with a plan on how to move forward positively,”

Erica Pearce is currently on secondment within CityCare, working as a Project Support Officer in the Equality Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) and the Reducing Inequalities Team.

Erica is passionate about staff engagement and creating an inclusive working environment, which is one of the reasons why she became a Freedom To Speak Up Champion. Erica has experience working on Staff Surveys and with Staff Networks in the community and hospital settings, which has been invaluable in improving and contributing to better outcomes for staff and patients. She believe it is essential for staff to feel empowered, to know that we have a voice and that our feedback matters and is valued.

Erica said : "I think staff should be comfortable raising concerns when things are not going right and encouraged to put forward ideas to improve a service or process for themselves or their patients. My aims as a Freedom To Speak Up Champion are to provide a listening ear and to support staff throughout their Freedom To Speak Up journey." 

Orla has worked in Citycare for 10 years as a Diabetes Specialist Nurse.

Orla decided to become a FSTU champion as she felt it is really important that everyone knows that everyone matters and every voice is important in bringing about positive changes to staff wellbeing, working environment and ultimately patient care.  

Speaking about why she wanted to become a FTSU champion, Orla said: "If we can’t speak up then nothing will change."

My aim is to be able to provide a safe and comfortable space for anyone to raise a concern  that is troubling them and support them through the different pathways to achieving positive changes and outcomes."

Kath Browning, Family Nurse at Nottingham CityCare spoke about why she became a Freedom to Speak Up Champion:

"I have a real passion for supporting those who may not feel confident enough to speak up and I feel it's invaluable in fostering a culture of openness and accountability. I  want to ensure individuals within CityCare feel safe and empowered to voice their concerns or grievances."

"Its so important that our colleagues are listened to are provided with support and encouragement, and that their voices are truly heard and taken into account.I feel that this can greatly contribute to improving workplace morale, trust, and overall well-being." 

Before Rob joined CityCare at the end of 2022 he previously worked for Sport England in London, to encourage children and families to get active together in hard to reach areas. Whether it’s supporting individuals or offering an ear, everyone deserves to have their views and opinions heard.

Rob says: "I understand everyone has their good days and their tougher days, as well as juggling work and personal life, if I can be there to offer a safe space to listen to your concerns I'd be more than happy to and the reason why I joined the Freedom to Speak Up Champions."

Before joining the Medicines Management Team at CityCare in 2022, Kelly worked for Boots for over 8 years and understands the need for clear communication and an approachable working environment, prior to this she was a diamond specialist for 11 years.

Kelly said:

"I would like to be part of an organisation, where all staff regardless of position, feel free to discuss issues that matter to them, and know that I can offer support and guidance. I am excited about my future with FTSU and the difference I can make and I look forward to meeting new people along the way."