Kate Brown - Training Officer, Tutor and Assessor (Cornwall)

I started my career in Health and Social Care nearly 17 years ago. I have worked for Taylors of Grampound since 2003 where I Started as a support worker, moving on to be a senior support worker and then an area manager . I then utilised my skills as a teacher to transfer over into the training department of the company.

I gained my Assessors Award to be able to guide our internal staff through their NVQ’s followed by my Post Graduate Certificate in Education to enable me to focus my teaching on adult learning.

Health and social care is in an extremely complex but rewarding sector to be in and my aim is to give support workers the confidence, skills and understanding to be the best that they can be, whilst also raising the standard of care.

Cheryl Gordon - Training Consultant (Cornwall)

I have worked in the Health and Social Care for 24 years.  Throughout my career I have been passionate about providing the highest standards of care and raising the profile of the industry. I worked from a carer, senior and to Deputy Care Home Manger.  In additional I was the lead for manual handling training of 8 care homes in the company that I worked for.

In 2015 I decided to become a full-time training consultant enabling me to impart my knowledge, skills and experience to a wider audience.  My aim is to inspire Support Workers to achieve their full potential, reaffirming their vital roles within this sector.

My biggest hobby is radio presenting. Where time is spent in the radio studio and outside events.  This involves presenting and producing radio programs.  

Rosie Cawthorne - Training Consultant (Devon)

My interest in Health and Wellbeing started many years ago after working in the area of Domestic Violence Awareness. I advocated and spoke at conferences/events on behalf of those that were unable to speak for themselves with the aim of empowering and educating Domestic Abuse Services. I then started working for the NHS in 2009. I worked in Health & Social Care for several years before becoming a Trainer for the NHS.

I am a fully qualified Healthcare Trainer and I bring my rounded experience in the Health & Social Care sector, as a Carer, a Service User, a Loved One/Family Member and a Multi Disciplinary Trainer into what I do. I aim to fully engage my Trainees in order to provide an enjoyable, beneficial, empowering and memorable training experience. I keep the focus on the serious stuff but look to balance it with a little enthusiasm and a smile. My hobbies are good long walks in nature (preferably where I am able to cuddle other peoples dogs), a spot of yoga/meditation and (for the balance) listening to some good (loud) music. 

Anna Elwood - Freebird Associates

Whilst the word may be over-used I would describe myself as being passionate about learning. In particular in the realms of Health and Social Care. There is nothing better than a good old debate about   Human Rights, Mental Capacity, or Safeguarding Adults; even better when delegates say they feel inspired by the debate.   

I am so excited to be part of FreeBird Associates: Corinne and I have worked together for over 10 years, and I love how we compliment one another, how we can challenge each other over ideas and suggestions, making sure that what ever we are working on, it will be something to be proud off. 

I draw upon my experiences of not only working as a support worker  and manager of services (Residential and Domiciliary Care),  but also as an informal carer. I have previously worked for Sutton and Merton Health Authority, Cornwall Health Authority ( gosh they were a long time ago!) Mencap &  Cornwall Council. 

Annie Champion

I started my nursing career as a nursing auxiliary in July 1977, before the days of moving and handling equipment and 42 years later I am still learning. As a student nurse in a teaching hospital, I was encouraged to pass on my knowledge and skills and have been teaching ever since. After various clinical/educational roles and bodily damage, I decided to teach full time in health and social care, that was 15 years ago. I now also lecture part-time for the local colleges and regularly attend professional development to ensure subject knowledge is current and an expanding portfolio of techniques.

Tom Walvin

Tom is a Registered Nurse and a Registered Nurse Teacher with over 8 years’ experience across Emergency, Cardiac and Research Nursing. He has been worked as trainer across the NHS and charity sector organisations in 2011 alongside his clinical roles. Tom is a Lecturer in Adult Nursing at the University of Plymouth's School of Nursing and Midwifery, and holds a fellowship with the Higher Education Academy.

Tom is passionate that the patient/client remains at the centre of everything that is taught; and enjoys enhancing the skills and knowledge of the full range of healthcare roles from Community Carers right through to Doctors.

Will Houghton

It is my intention to support education and care services with the insightful knowledge gained over 20 years of experience in the care and education sector.

Having worked with individuals displaying a variety of complex behaviours it was natural to progress into a role where I could share this knowledge and train others. Working with a large national care company I became a lead trainer in the South West in 2005 training other trainers.