Connected Together CIC
Kate Holt- Chief Executive Officer
Kate has both Institute of Management and Chartered Institute of Marketing qualifications. She has had a diverse working background, most recently in banking commercial services. Prior to this Kate was the Business Manager for the Peer Clearing House at the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA) and Chief Officer of Huntingdon Community Health Council, monitoring the NHS on behalf of the public.
Julie Curtis- Finance and Business Assistant
Julie has had a longstanding interest within the health and social care sector and has held various administrative positions which include working at Northampton General Hospital, a local GP surgery, Northamptonshire Primary Care Trust, and Northamptonshire County Council for the Safeguarding and Care Planning Team. Prior to joining CTCIC, Julie worked for a number of years within the mental health sector as a Mental Health Act Administrator at a local mental health rehabilitation hospital and also at St Andrew’s Healthcare Northampton as Clinical Secretary.
Michelle Wright- Policy and Business Assistant
Michelle has worked in warehousing from the bottom up to a leadership position with one of the biggest online retailers in the world. She has enjoyed helping people and watching them achieve their goals and being able to support them along the way. Michelle has recently had a daughter and her priorities have now changed and she wants to learn a new aspect of business. Michelle has completed a diploma in Excel and a Human Resources course.
Jemma Frater – Digital Communications and Marketing Apprentice
Jemma completed a two year course in social media and marketing, before becoming a part of our team as the Digital Communications and Marketing Apprentice. In this role Jemma is responsible for various digital roles, including but not limited to updating website content and producing newsletters and social media posts, all to provide information to the community while working towards increasing our reach.
Gabriella Van-Beek- Healthwatch North and West Northamptonshire Operations Manager
Gabriella has a background in health, with a Master’s of Public Health from the University of Chester and a Bachelor’s in Biomedical Sciences. She has worked with Healthwatch previously as a Projects Officer in a borough of London. She is passionate about involving herself in work that is focused on helping the community and improving the health of others. In her spare time she enjoys cooking and spending time in the outdoors.
Tracey Allan-Jones- Healthwatch Rutland Manager
Tracy’s working background has varied, from project and team management roles in large computing and telecommunications corporations to setting up and running small internet-based businesses. As office manager in a small Healthwatch, she pretty much gets involved in every activity from communication and marketing through events planning, signposting, general office support and helping people to access local health and social care services. Do you have feedback on your experience of local health and social care services? Would you like to become a member of Healthwatch Rutland and receive regular information updates to your inbox? She’d love to hear from you!
Esther Stimpson- Healthwatch North and West Northamptonshire Project Manager and Young Healthwatch Lead
Esther is returning to Healthwatch North and West Northamptonshire after taking some time out to complete a Law degree. She previously worked for us for 5 years as Project Manager and Young Healthwatch lead. Esther is working part time while completing her PhD which will be looking at maternity services in Prisons. Her work will be focusing on children, young people and families. Esther is excited to be working with Young Healthwatch again.
Hollie Hughes- Healthwatch Rutland Community Engagement Officer
Hollie joined the Healthwatch Rutland team in September 2023 after spending seven years coordinating two projects for Age UK Leicestershire & Rutland. The projects were linked to alcohol awareness and digital inclusion and through this she was able to build valuable experience of engaging with local communities. Hollie completed a BA (Hons) degree in Early Childhood Studies and gained an Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) at the University of Worcester in 2011. Working towards these qualifications meant that Hollie spent time within a variety of settings including Children’s Centres, nurseries and schools. Hollie took a particular interest in working with children who have special educational needs and focused her dissertation on safeguarding children with speech and language difficulties. She has always enjoyed working with people and being out in the community and Hollie looks forward to working with the Healthwatch team to give local people a voice and influence health and social care within Rutland.
Penelope McDermott – Healthwatch North and West Northamptonshire Officer
Penny had worked many years in the charity sector before returning to university to study Psychology. She has previously worked with Healthwatch as a project assistant and has now returned full time as our officer. She is passionate about making sure that individual’s voices are heard and that they have a chance to shape the services they use.