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

Paul Higgitt - Engagement Lead

Paul is our Engagement Lead 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 8 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 now leads on a number of priority projects identified through public engagement. 

Loretta Higgins - Info and Signposting Officer

Loretta is our Information and Signposting Officer and started with us in April 22. Loretta looks after our digital communications, including website, newsletters and social media to keep local people informed about team updates, projects and key health and care issues. Loretta has previously worked with public, private and voluntary sector organisations within Walsall.

Priscilla Kwagina - Insight and Intelligence Officer for the South 

Priscilla is our Insight and Intelligence Officer for the South of Sandwell, started with us the 7th of April and is responsible for gathering engagement and voices from the local community. Priscilla has previously worked in the hospitality sector.