New Director of Care Helen Finlinson feels both proud and honoured to be heading up the “phenomenal” service provided by East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices’ (EACH).
The 46-year-old has joined after nearly two decades at St Elizabeth Hospice, in Ipswich, where she was Associate Director of Integrated Community Care.
After a career in senior leadership and management roles, she is excited by her latest challenge and sees no end of potential at EACH.
“I knew this was the right step for me to take because there’s so much opportunity here,” said the mum of three.
“I’m still at a point where I’m listening, learning and trying to take everything in, but I can’t wait to get properly stuck in, because there are lots of exciting developments on the horizon, including a potential expansion project at The Treehouse.
“I’m chomping at the bit and can’t wait to have my feet firmly under the table. It’s hard starting afresh when you’ve been somewhere else for 18 years!
“I want to have more of a handle on the ‘what, where and when’ of our organisation, but I’ll get there and feel excited.
“There are so many assets and skills among the leadership team here, and we’re in such a strong place to develop.
“It feels a real privilege to be in a position to help enable that growth, to help meet the organisation’s rich potential.”
During her time at St Elizabeth, Helen worked closely with the team at EACH.
She says she has been a long-time admirer, citing the “professionalism, skills, knowledge and compassion” of the colleagues she worked alongside.
“I’ve always been fond of EACH,” said Helen, who lives in Rendlesham.
“I’ve always had great respect for the staff and been hugely impressed by the way they do their jobs.
“Now I’m delighted to be part of that team, and the quality of holistic care provided here is second to none.
“EACH does everything incredibly well, and it’s such a precious resource – a phenomenal service – that we need to make sure as many families as possible have access to.
“I’m looking forward to meeting and engaging with as many of them as possible and am currently working with our groups and events teams, looking at dates of things I can attend.
“Even in my first few weeks, I’ve had some fantastic conversations, including one with a dad who was telling me how invaluable the support is he and his family receive at The Nook.”
In terms of reaching more families, Helen says parents and carers have a key role to play in shaping the future of the service EACH provides.
She wants them to have an equal seat at the table when it comes to planning the way forward.
“One piece of work we want to look at is how we engage with families to reach as many as possible, which, in turn, will help us develop our care strategy,” she said.
“In that respect, families are central. I don’t want us to run away with our own thoughts and ideas and develop a strategy that we decide upon as professionals, then take it to them to effectively rubberstamp.
“Instead, families should be co-partners from the outset, with an equal voice when it comes to service development. We want to know what’s important to them and ask them what direction we should be going in.”
Helen believes it is important to spread the word about EACH, especially in terms of reaching communities that might not be aware of its work.
She hopes more and more people can be supported in the months and years ahead and wants to start building long-term relationships.
“I hope we can increase our activity and support even more people going forward, and it’s important to be aspirational in that respect,” said Helen.
“There are many families and communities that don’t even know about EACH.
“They haven’t accessed our services before, even though they would be eligible, and it’s our job to change things and be as inclusive as possible.
“I wouldn’t say that and raise expectations if I didn’t feel it was possible to deliver.
“Actually, I can confidently say we’re in a strong place to make things happen, which is exciting. It’s all about long-term relationship and trust-building.
“I feel genuinely excited about our potential to develop, as well as grateful and fortunate for the support we already have.”
In terms of that support, Helen says it has been a pleasure to meet fundraisers and volunteers during her first few weeks.
“They’re amazing people,” she said.
“It’s incredible we have so many volunteers and they effectively keep our organisation going, providing an invaluable resource.
“They’re joyfully, willingly giving their time, and that’s what makes hospices such special and positive places.”
