News

We’ve had some new recruits join the team over the last few weeks, so say hello if you haven’t already and help them get settled in!

Jo Fletcher – Clinical Support Worker

Our newest member of the Care Team is Jo, who joined us on our staff away day held at Brockholes at the beginning of September. She’s no stranger to healthcare, and has enjoyed a varied career working with children and young people who have learning difficulties and special needs.

After five years at Mayfield Special School, Jo felt that it was time to spread her wings, and wanted to join the team here at Derian House as she’d heard amazing things from her friends and now fellow staff members Danielle and Chantal.

At the time of writing, Jo was mostly looking forward to no two days ever being the same, meeting a variety of people and families, and also getting to know the place. We’re sure that by now she’s definitely learnt a lot and got stuck right in!

In the three months leading up to her starting date, Jo actually volunteered here at the hospice so she could get to grips with it all and learn about her new role.

When she’s not at work, Jo loves spending time with people, be it her friends, family, or the choir that she belongs to. She loves singing as an outlet and spends a great deal of time with her ‘Sing It Big’ fam.

Rebecca Shivji – Executive Assistant

The new executive to our leader Karen is Rebecca, who has joined the team after three and a half years at Bolton Lads & Girls Club, where she actually took on a totally different role as a bid writer within the charity’s Fundraising Team.

After seeing the work of Derian House through social media, Rebecca jumped at the opportunity to work here and enjoy the next stage of her career whilst still remaining in the charity sector.

Rebecca has many transferrable skills which are sure to help her within her new role here at the hospice, and is excited to work with Karen again after previously working under her leadership at BLGC.

A lot of Derian’s values align with Rebecca’s personal ones, and she’s excited about being part of an enthusiastic and passionate team who deliver outstanding care to over 400 families across the region.

When she’s not working, Rebecca loves spending as much time as possible with her six-year-old son Zachariah, going for walks in nature, and even writing poetry! She’s also a trained counsellor, mindfulness instructor, and reiki practitioner… is there anything she can’t do?!

Verity Harrison – Data Analyst

Derian’s new Data Analyst may have joined us on a temporary basis, but Verity has already made a massive impact in helping set up the Care Database over the last few weeks.

Verity worked for a long time within the NHS as a public health specialist, and within the team at Cancer Research for the past five years.

She’s taken on this role at Derian House mainly because she enjoys working within the charity sector, and has a large understanding of the NHS and the way it works – which is perfect for all of the data she’ll be working with whilst she’s here!

Outside of being a data queen, Verity loves reading and researching, and also fell running. She’s cat mum to Konstantine and Hades the cats… and (fun fact) Diana Vickers is her second cousin!