Volunteer role

Specialist in content creation, communications and media training.

We launched Chesworth Press Agency - Cumbria in 1994 (rebranded as Chesworth Communications in 2018).As well as providing a news and picture service to the media industry, Chesworth Communications publishes a daily local and business news website cumbria24.com, plus the weekly e-magazines: eBusinessCumbria.The agency also deliver communications and engagement services, media training, copywriting and PR service through Big Story Media Training.

Providing communications for the Cumbria Flood Partnership.

My role as at Copeland Borough Council covers all aspects of internal and external communications and engagement, including: media management for elections, public engagement meetings, publications, online platforms and support for councillors, officers and directors.With the appointment of the first Elected Mayor of Copeland in May 2015, I have managed the communications around the major changes in the structure and governance of the council.Internally, specialist communications work currently covers service reviews and the delivering differently project which includes major changes to the accommodation of teams across the council.As hosts to the nuclear industry, I work with partner colleagues from the energy sector, including Sellafield Limited, NuGen and National Grid. As a member of the communications group for the Centre of Nuclear Excellence (CONE) I wrote the communications strategy.I work with partner colleague from neighbouring councils and emergence services in the delivery of emergency planning communications, and attend regular exercises and training.Ongoing training includes attendance at the Cabinate Office Emergency Planning College, regular safeguarding tutorials and IOSH courses. The most recent live emergency I have been involved in was during the December floods in Cumbria.I work closely with our local and national media on a daily basis, and increasingly the online coverage.

My duties included: o Assist with the development and delivery of a coherent communications strategy for Cumbria CCG o Develop, implement and evaluate communication projects. o Commission, write, edit, proof read, coordinate complex internal and external publications and media releases o Oversee the printing and distribution of internal and external publications o Respond to media enquiries o Brief on CCG issues, direction and complex health policy to stakeholders and journalists o Organise and manage events and outside agencies visiting the CCG o Organise events, press conferences and photo calls as appropriate o Provide communications and marketing advice to GPs, managers, staff and committees o Assist in the response to stakeholder enquiries o Planning and managing the delivery of complete marcomms campaigns o Design and maintain website and intranet sites o Assist in the development and maintenance of key stakeholders for the use of Cumbria CCG o Work closely with other CCG colleagues, the communications team and the CSU support function in the delivery of communications functions o Responsible for supervising key projects with support from external agencies including the CSU o Under the management of the communications manager ensure that communication activities are delivered within the associated budget o Ensure all communication functions are placed within context of the Cumbria CCG narrative and reinforces agreed key messages o Manage the workload within the Communications & Engagement team, and deputize for the Communications Manager.

My duties included: o Assist with the development and delivery of a coherent communications strategy for Cumbria CCG o Develop, implement and evaluate communication projects. o Commission, write, edit, proof read, coordinate complex internal and external publications and media releases o Oversee the printing and distribution of internal and external publications o Respond to media enquiries o Brief on CCG issues, direction and complex health policy to stakeholders and journalists o Organise and manage events and outside agencies visiting the CCG o Organise events, press conferences and photo calls as appropriate o Provide communications and marketing advice to GPs, managers, staff and committees o Assist in the response to stakeholder enquiries o Planning and managing the delivery of complete marcomms campaigns o Design and maintain website and intranet sites o Assist in the development and maintenance of key stakeholders for the use of Cumbria CCG o Work closely with other CCG colleagues, the communications team and the CSU support function in the delivery of communications functions o Responsible for supervising key projects with support from external agencies including the CSU o Under the management of the communications manager ensure that communication activities are delivered within the associated budget o Ensure all communication functions are placed within context of the Cumbria CCG narrative and reinforces agreed key messages o Manage the workload within the Communications & Engagement team, and deputize for the Communications Manager.

The Guardian/Manchester Evening News weekly newspaper provided me with my journalism training opportunity. I completed my NCTJ training with them, taking the block release course in Cardiff.