Becoming a Primrose Foundation Trustee - Working Through Covid.

Until August 2017 I had never heard of the Primrose Breast Care Centre or The Primrose Foundation, I didn’t know much about Breast Cancer either, other than it happened to other women and not me.  However, I was soon to learn first-hand exactly what the Primrose Breast Care Centre did as a routine mammogram at the Guildhall in Plymouth prompted a follow up appointment at the centre, so my expedition into being an impatient patient began.  Almost three years later I am a “no evidence of disease” patient and I have much to be grateful for from the Primrose Breast Care centre and all of its staff.

Following my excellent treatment, I met with a group of nine other current and former Breast Cancer ladies who were inspired by Victoria Derbyshire to take on our own ‘dare to………’ performance. Between us, we had no experience of putting on a fundraising event however, with a lot of support, we managed to put on not just one but two Balls at the Duke of Cornwall Hotel.  The first “Dare to Bare” and the second “Dare to Burlesque”, the two combined events raised over £23,000 for The Primrose Foundation and we even manged to get some local and national coverage.  Our aim was to give something back to the service which had quite literally saved some of our lives. 

The chair of Trustees, Sue Hobbs, knew of my involvement with the fundraising efforts and we met for coffee, I was then invited to read at the annual Carol service and  Sue asked if I had considered being involved with the Primrose Foundation in a more formal way by joining as a Trustee.   Having been a Trustee of a charity previously I thought long and hard about this as it is a responsible post and you have to ensure that you can give enough time and support to the Charity.  My concern was about managing my full time role on the Senior Leadership Team at Stoke Damerel Community College and teaching Geography.

I decided I could manage and so became a Trustee. 

I am fortunate to have one of the greatest jobs in the world.  I work with 1,400 young people and 200 staff in an inner city secondary school.  I work within two teams – the Geography team and the Leadership team so take part in the strategic and classroom role of the school.  I love the fact that no two days are the same and I thrive on the social interaction with colleagues and students.  As part of my role I look after our newly and recently qualified teachers, lead on teacher training, develop professional learning for staff as well as teaching those students who are just starting at secondary school through to those taking their A Levels (age 11-19).  Teaching during the Covid 19 crisis has been an interesting experience as we have been open throughout to those students who are vulnerable and those of key workers.  We have followed guidance about bubbles, handwashing and social distancing to the letter, provided lunches to those who need it and supported the food bank which supports part of our school community.  Although I haven’t been in school every day I have been involved in online lessons, either providing resources for year 7 Geography or live teaching using Google Meet for our Year 10 and Year 12 students.  As long as the internet holds up it all goes well, but being on the rota and the duty SMT in school is better! 

As a Trustee I hope I am in a position to continue to give something back to the Primrose Foundation. Whether that’s by wearing the Primrose t-shirt for Race for Life, meeting with other Trustees to discuss funding requests, learning from those Professionals such as Jim Steel about how the NHS works and where the Breast Care Centre sits within it.  If nothing else it allows me to spread the word and show other women that if they do get a frightening diagnosis they will have great care and support so, in time, that life can get back to a new normal.