Healthwatch Sandwell Manager - Alexia Farmer
I came into post in May 2019.
I have lived and worked in Sandwell for over 20 years so have a lot of experience and knowledge about the issues that Sandwell citizens experience both on a personal and professional level.
My work life commenced when I was employed with Wolverhampton and Sandwell Council in further education and adult social care services.
I have vast experience within the voluntary sector, working for twenty-three years for an organisation in Sandwell, supporting people with learning disabilities and or autism. Initially I was project manager and set up and managed a couple of day services within different localities within Sandwell. Later I held the post of Operations Manager until my journey with the organisation ended in 2017.
I have also had experience of working within the private sector, employed for a short time as Operations Manager with a local provider, supporting adults with learning disabilities and or autism, in residential and supported living accommodation.
I was a foster carer for over ten years, fostering children with learning disabilities and autism.
I enjoy keeping fit, being outdoors and close to nature. I have been involved in a successful netball club for over thirty years as a player and more recently vice chair and lead coach.
Our staff
Anita Andrews - Engagement and Volunteer Lead
Anita Andrews is our Engagement and Volunteer Lead and has been with Healthwatch Sandwell since October 2014.
Prior to this she worked in a Local Authority (Adult Social Care) for over 30 years. During this time she undertook a variety of roles including managing homecare, training and development, contract monitoring, registration and inspection of care homes and health promotion.
Anita is passionate that people are at the centre of their care and are empowered to make choices. In her spare time Anita loves to walk, cycle, knit and bake…..but not all at the same time!
Melissa Elders - Community Outreach Lead
Melissa is our Community Outreach Lead. Hello, I am Melissa Elders, and I am the Community Outreach Lead. This involves being out and about gathering the public experience of using Sandwell’s health and care services. This could be talking to a support group or having a pop-up stand at a fun day event. I like talking and listening to people, and also advising them.
I have been with Healthwatch Sandwell since 2014 and really enjoy helping people. My background has always been in the health sector, prior to HWS I was in the dental sector and mental health services. My fun fact is that during lockdown I learnt how to Charleston. It was fun, energetic and something different to do.
Sophie Shuttlewood - Projects and Partnerships Lead
Sophie's role involves leading on health and care related projects, building good working relationships and ensuring Sandwell residents experiences and voices inform improvements to services.
I joined Healthwatch Sandwell in October 2019. My previous working background is in social housing needs, including working in a local authority, project delivery and supporting vulnerable young adults – all good transferable skills to bring to my roles within Healthwatch Sandwell. I moved to the Midland’s only 4 years ago. Beautiful countryside down South but a bit too quiet - I enjoy everything there is to celebrate about diversity in this region and am enjoying growing experiences all the time. After work, I enjoy mucking about on my allotment just off Sandwell Valley.
Paul Higgitt - Project Officer
Paul is our Project Officer and has worked in community development and engagement for over 20 years on a number of European Funding programmes and delivering participatory engagement training nationally.
Paul has worked for Healthwatch Staffordshire, and Healthwatch Walsall in several roles for the past 6 years.
Most recently in Walsall developing a Service User Group in order to bring together patients and experts by experience in order to champion the patient voice as part of the Walsall Integrated Care Partnership (ICP). Through patient and service user engagement written a number of reports on patients experiences of living and managing with long term health conditions in order to support the ICP care pathway redesign. He has joined Healthwatch Sandwell to capture patient and service users' experiences around Sandwell ICP priorities and to champion the patient voice in future changes to health and social care in Sandwell.
Loretta Higgins - Info and Signposting Officer
Loretta is our Information and Signposting Officer and started with us in April 22. Loretta looks over our website and social media alongside offering information and advice to the people of Sandwell. Loretta has previously worked with public, private and voluntary sector organisations within Walsall and is excited to get started working with these in Sandwell.
