I’ve been reflecting recently on connecting and networking, New Year meetings often provide an opportunity to step back, refocus and remember the importance of reaching out for new ideas and inspiration.
I often remember Jo Cox, she’s a woman who inspired me and her memory continues to do so, the book written in her memory ‘More in Common’ https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1473659183/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_3SchEb1TXSWHQ is well worth a read. Jo believed in tackling loneliness and isolation, the Jo Cox foundation @JoCoxFoundation continues to champion this agenda.
Whilst we think of loneliness as something that older people experience, in reality it’s something that can affect everyone from across the age continuum from the play ground in school to isolation in the workplace. The NHS Youth Forum speak of loneliness in young people, establishing their peer support campaign to tackle this https://www.byc.org.uk/uk/nhs-youth-forum/peer-support
I’ve often heard people remark how lonely it be can sometimes be when complex decisions and actions are needed, and whilst we all work in teams in NHS, reaching out and networking can decrease loneliness, enhance and develop ideas which ultimately leads to better, richer decisions and outcomes. Spending time connecting and networking is worth the investment, even if the day job can be all consuming!
This week I was able to catch up the ‘wonderful women of ASCEND’ we had a breakfast catch up at Kings Cross. An inspiring colleague Lisa Anderson @lilyand67 asked us to describe our 2019’s in one word, mine was ‘muddlesome’ I was slightly more optimistic about 2020 wanting it to be ‘pursposeful’. Part of making 2020 purposeful for me will be about continuing to connect with others.
So I’d like to share an opportunity that’s coming up! The 5th AdsTalk: ‘Shining a light: How patients’ voices can have a positive influence’, (#AdsTalk2020) will be on Mon, 16 March 2020 12:00 – 15:00 GMT at NHS ENgland’s Headquarters, Skipton House, 80 London Road, London, SE1 6LH. This year it will be given by Lucy Watts (@LucyAlexandria) & Amy Frounks (@AmyFrounks) and chaired by Rob Webster (@NHS_RobW).
Lucy Watts MBE is a young adult with a life-limiting condition. A passionate advocate for patients, especially those with complex health needs, life-limiting conditions, needing palliative care and young people in transition, Lucy has proved herself a formidable voice in healthcare. A member of the NHS Assembly, various committees, running patient involvement and advocacy groups and working closely with a number of charities, Lucy was awarded an MBE at the tender age of 22 and was recently voted 9th most influential disabled person in Britain. Lucy aspires always to make a difference and use her experiences constructively to benefit others.
Amy Frounks has been a patient and youth voice advocate since 2013, striving to improve representation of less heard groups, particularly children and young people with disabilities and/or health conditions. Some of her roles in participation have included: CAMHS participation, NHS England Youth Forum, Young CDC, RCPCH & Us. Amy was also a young advisor for Common Room, where she co-facilitated CYP Me First training to a variety of health care professionals.
Rob Webster, Chief Executive of South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Lead Chief Executive West Yorkshire and Harrogate ICS, will chair the event and host a discussion of the issues raised and the opportunity to network.
You can book your free ticket here http://intheblinkofaneyepoemsbyadambojelian.blogspot.com/2019/12/adstalk20-bookings-are-now-open_3.html do come and join us and be inspired by remarkable people!
In the meantime if you fancy a great podcast on networking, download Anchor and take a listen to fabulous Jane Galloway of @quiet_the_hive https://anchor.fm/cats-pajamas/episodes/Cats-Pajamas-Convos-with-Jane-Galloway-e8e6kl
Kath Evans Connecting 