Meet Karen Heath, one of our fantastic care co-ordinators based in Stockton.
Can you tell us a little bit about your role?
I am currently the care coordinator for Yarm Medical Practice and work three days a week. The key part of our role is to visit patients who are frail or at risk of becoming so.
In conversations with the patients we learn about what is working for them and where they would benefit from some support. The support required depends on the patients’ needs but some examples may be that they require a Mobility Assessment, care at home or information about social activities in the area. Occasionally a patient may want to try an activity but feel unable to do this alone and I will offer to accompany them to their first visit.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I enjoy meeting the patients and get a lot of satisfaction from hearing how they have benefited from my intervention. I have started a coffee morning/drop-in in the practice so that patients know they can come and speak to me or socialise with others. This has proved a great method for keeping in touch with patients and an opportunity for them to ask for further assistance when required.
I enjoy working for H&SH as I feel I am working for an aspirational agency that is making a positive to people’s lives.
Where did you work before joining H&SH?
When my children were at senior School I returned to work running fundraising events such as assault courses and quizzes for the NSPCC and when I was 40 I qualified as a children’s social worker and continued to work for the NSPCC at Catterick Garrison for over ten years.
What did you want to be when you were younger?
When I was younger I had thoughts of being a newsreader, dancer or florist. I didn’t follow any of these aspirations but at 14 I represented my school in a Eisteddfod performing a recitation, at 17 I danced on stage at the City Hall in Newcastle in a musical called Witness and I took flower arranging classes.
What do you do outside of work?
My husband is retired and he is currently a puppy walker for Guide Dogs for the Blind and is training ‘Willis’ who is thirteen months old. Willis a golden Labrador who we are enjoying taking for long walks in the area. I enjoy baking especially when cakes work - but I couldn’t take part in the Bake Off as I would be too stressedI My main interest is holidays and I have been fortunate to travel to several countries including India, Japan and Canada.
Can you tell us a little bit about your role?
I am currently the care coordinator for Yarm Medical Practice and work three days a week. The key part of our role is to visit patients who are frail or at risk of becoming so.
In conversations with the patients we learn about what is working for them and where they would benefit from some support. The support required depends on the patients’ needs but some examples may be that they require a Mobility Assessment, care at home or information about social activities in the area. Occasionally a patient may want to try an activity but feel unable to do this alone and I will offer to accompany them to their first visit.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I enjoy meeting the patients and get a lot of satisfaction from hearing how they have benefited from my intervention. I have started a coffee morning/drop-in in the practice so that patients know they can come and speak to me or socialise with others. This has proved a great method for keeping in touch with patients and an opportunity for them to ask for further assistance when required.
I enjoy working for H&SH as I feel I am working for an aspirational agency that is making a positive to people’s lives.
Where did you work before joining H&SH?
When my children were at senior School I returned to work running fundraising events such as assault courses and quizzes for the NSPCC and when I was 40 I qualified as a children’s social worker and continued to work for the NSPCC at Catterick Garrison for over ten years.
What did you want to be when you were younger?
When I was younger I had thoughts of being a newsreader, dancer or florist. I didn’t follow any of these aspirations but at 14 I represented my school in a Eisteddfod performing a recitation, at 17 I danced on stage at the City Hall in Newcastle in a musical called Witness and I took flower arranging classes.
What do you do outside of work?
My husband is retired and he is currently a puppy walker for Guide Dogs for the Blind and is training ‘Willis’ who is thirteen months old. Willis a golden Labrador who we are enjoying taking for long walks in the area. I enjoy baking especially when cakes work - but I couldn’t take part in the Bake Off as I would be too stressedI My main interest is holidays and I have been fortunate to travel to several countries including India, Japan and Canada.
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