I joined the Trust as Arts Coordinator back in September 2020. This role allows me to bring the arts and creativity to a wide range of people in a non-arts setting.

My role is sponsored by Clatterbridge Cancer Charity, and thanks to their kind funding by donations, I get to work with amazing artists and creative practitioners to deliver the Arts in Health programme here at CCC.

The programme offers a range of creative activities, performances and artwork for patients to support the recovery and wellbeing of our patients. There is a huge body of evidence which shows the benefits of engaging with art whilst undergoing cancer treatment and for this reason the charity is very proud to fund Clatterbridge’s entire arts programme each year. You can find out more about the programme at https://ccc.franktesting.co.uk/patients-and-visitors/treatment-and-care/advice-and-support/arts-programme, and more about the amazing difference Clatterbridge Cancer Charity makes to local people with cancer at https://clatterbridgecharity.org/.

Before I joined the Trust, I worked for a Liverpool based Arts Organisation for a number of years. This role included managing arts programmes, festivals and events with a focus on young people, artist development and promoting disability arts. I have worked for a number of arts organisations based in Liverpool since 2008 and have loved the vibrant, passionate and eclectic mix of arts and cultural activity in the region.

Before moving to Merseyside, I taught Art and Design in secondary schools, working with 11-18 year olds, which was challenging but kept me on my toes and allowed to me to deliver and practice working with lots of different types of arts and techniques.

Prior to completing my teacher training I worked in the creative industries with roles at a well-known magazine company in London designing page layouts and supporting with photoshoots and a head office of an international cinema company.

I have always worked in the creative industries, I have had a passion for arts from a young age and was always drawing as a child. I studied arts at college and completed a Fine Art degree. I then studied at post graduate level to enable me to become a qualified teacher.

I have always had an interest in the transformative nature of the arts and how this can support health and wellbeing. My current role allows me to develop opportunities for others to experience art and creativity which is wonderful.

It’s my first role working directly for the NHS, and I am in awe of how passionate the staff are in providing outstanding patient care, how hard they work, and how they go above and beyond to deliver excellent patient experience. The role allows me to introduce people to the arts and hopefully make a bit of difference to their day and have a positive impact on their health and wellbeing.

I find CCC a very friendly place and open to new ideas. We support each other and are dedicated to ensuring that our patients get the best experience possible.

To anyone wanting to get into the arts, I’d suggest trying volunteering with the Trust. It gives you a chance to see what happens across our sites and meet our wonderful patients and staff.