Our much-loved member of the team has returned and we’re delighted to have her back. Re-joining at the height of the pandemic, Dawn quickly rolled up her sleeves to help out at Derby’s mass vaccination centre as part of her new role as Health and Wellbeing Coach. Discover more about Dawn’s passion for forklifts (who would have guessed?), running and exploring undiscovered paths and mountains all over the UK.
Experience
Most of my earlier working life has been working in accounts and administration. I joined Livewell the first time in 2012. I manged the Customer Contact Team before taking the role of Co-ordinator. During this time, I took a lead on community engagement and managing the Livewell Couch to 5K programme. I was also involved with setting up the Livewell volunteer programme. I left in 2019 to take a position with Rethink Mental Illness. My role at Rethink was to support people in recovery to set up peer support groups in the community. I returned to Livewell in November 2020 to take up a new role working as a Health and Wellbeing Coach for a Primary Care Network made up of four Lister House Practices.
Job role
My role as a Health and Wellbeing Coach is to support patients to gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence to better manage their health condition so they feel able to shape every aspect of their care. And to help them to make positive lifestyle changes to become the healthiest, happiest version of themselves.
Since January I have been representing the Primary Care Network to carry out administration support for the COVID vaccinations at Derby Arena. It is a privilege to be part of an amazing team doing such an incredible job. It has been emotional at times; hearing stories from so many people receiving their vaccination who have not left their homes or seen their loved ones for so long. Their gratitude has often had many of us close to tears!
Me in 3 words
Regularly gets lost!
My favourite meal
Sunday roast with all the trimmings.
My passions/interests
I love walking. Since 2012 I have been doing long distance walks twice a year with a small group of friends. We have seen some stunning views, many of which are only visible on footpaths. The longest was the South West Coast Path, all 630 miles which took us three years to complete. One of the last walks we did before the pandemic was the 96 miles of the West Highland Way finishing with climbing Ben Nevis. My other passion is running. I am enormously proud to be a run leader for Derby Joggers along with an awesome group of people who are also volunteers. Some are former Livewell clients and volunteer for the Livewell programme.
My best achievement
My three daughters who have all grown up to be amazing young women who I am incredibly proud of.
What you might be surprised to hear about me
In 2010 I was the admin manager of a busy warehouse that imported steel. I wanted to be able to help out when it was busy, so I had lessons (many lessons) and eventually I passed my forklift driving test. The forklift drivers seemed to appreciate my intention, but they regularly went above and beyond to ensure I did not get on the truck! To this day whenever I see a forklift, I am so tempted to jump on it to see if I am still as bad.
My top lifestyle tips
Celebrate every step you take towards your health goal, always focus on what you have achieved and be kind to yourself when things don’t go to plan. Winners are not people who never fail they are people who never quit.
My favourite quote
Choose kindness and laugh often.
