Meet the team

Cathy’s previous work has included project management for a Disabled People’s organisation in Essex; management of residential care homes for older people and people with learning difficulties and research and development of respite schemes for carers within Suffolk.
In 2001, she began developing training courses in response to user involvement in the field of Social Worker training. In 2009, she qualified as a disability equality trainer and completed a Post Graduate Certificate in disability equality practice. In 2011; working with Race on the Agenda, she qualified to develop training based on the Equality Act 2010.
Cathy is a Director & Vice Chair of a Community Gateway Housing Association and chairs their equality and diversity steering group as well as supporting the development of the company’s older people’s strategy.

Thomas is a recent graduate of the University of Hertfordshire where he studied Journalism and Media Cultures with Sport.  Thomas also volunteers in the media department at a local football team and is responsible for updating the Healthwatch Redbridge website and social media feeds as well as coordinating the admin and volunteers.

Sarah completed a masters in Public health at the University of Bristol and then went on to become a Health Check Advisor. This involved providing NHS health checks for people aged 40-74 and giving lifestyle advice to help reduce the likelihood of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke and kidney disease. Sarah volunteered with Diabetes UK as a groups support and development volunteer whereby she had to work alongside the development officer to ensure sustainability of the diabetes groups. After her role as a Health Checks Advisor, Sarah went on to become a Project Coordinator. Her role included recruiting, supporting and supervising the volunteers. Sarah enjoys working with volunteers and believes that volunteering is a good way for people to increase their skills and knowledge whilst contributing to something worthwhile.

Sarah has completed a treakathon and is currently training for a 100km walk. She enjoys travelling and taking part in adventures such as bungee jumping. She has done a bungee jump on the highest bridge in South Africa.

Having volunteered for 18 months after leaving University, Miranda recognises the value in volunteering as it enabled her to try out different roles, gain experience and it led to her first full-time job coordinating a family interpreting service.  Miranda worked in the homelessness sector for over 14 years.  During this time, she coordinated a supported volunteering programme, training homeless and former homeless people in preparation for their voluntary work. This involved supporting them through their volunteer placement and then on into further volunteering, training or employment.  In 2009 she completed a PGCE in Adult and Community Education. More recently Miranda has worked in further education as a pastoral tutor for two years, supporting students with welfare issues and their studies.

Miranda is the Healthwatch Redbridge Volunteer Coordinator. If you would like to find out about volunteering for Healthwatch Redbridge, please contact Miranda on Miranda@healthwatchredbridge.co.uk or 020 8553 1236.

Naina has recently graduated with a BSc in Psychology. She was a carer for 18 years and has a vast amount of personal experience of accessing health and social care services in Redbridge. It was during this time that her interest in the health care sector grew and she joined began to do voluntary work in different organisations. This is where her journey at Healthwatch Redbridge began in 2013 when she helped with some projects. Naina is also an active member of the Patient Participation Group at her GP surgery and a volunteer at the Samaritans in Redbridge.

Prior to joining Healthwatch Redbridge in February Naina was a mentor for looked after young people with challenging behaviour, a role which she found very rewarding.

At present as well as working fulltime Naina is undertaking a Counselling qualification at a local college and looks forward to becoming a Counsellor in the near future. To enhance her counselling skills she is also a volunteer Bereavement Counsellor for St Francis Hospice.