Chief Executive - Michelle Thompson B.E.M.
As Chair and Director of Healthwatch Darlington Ltd. between May 2013 and December 2014, I was proud to have led our team to be the first Healthwatch in the North East to float independently as a Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee by 31st March 2014.
In January 2015 I was honoured to have been given the opportunity of using my senior management skills for the role of Chief Executive Officer and to continue making a positive difference to health and social care users in Darlington. I am driven by a passion to ensure that the patient, carer, and public voice is not only listened to but understood and acted upon appropriately.
I lost my 18-year-old sister to an aggressive form of teenage bone cancer in 1995 and in 2003 at the age of 36, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Since then I have run, hiked and cycled all over the world raising money and awareness for Macmillan Cancer Support. By using my voice locally, regionally and nationally throughout my fifteen years of volunteering, I gained invaluable experience and made a difference not only in my own community but in the health and social care and voluntary and community sectors. I was incredibly proud to receive the British Empire Medal in the 2013 New Years Honours List for Community and Charity Work in Darlington and County Durham. I feel very strongly that volunteers are a charity’s most valued asset and I am keen to empower local people, explore recruitment opportunities and create new and exciting engagement ideas that appeal to our diverse population.
In my personal life, I'm married to Mick who works as a Health and Safety Manager in the renewable energy industry and we have two grown-up children and two grandchildren. We like to travel, visit family and friends and enjoy the beautiful countryside we live in. I'm also a keen runner and cyclist taking on lots of different challenges during the year.
01325 380145
Our staff
Diane Lax - Operations Manager
Diane’s role is to provide operational support to the CEO and Board members this includes the management of the budgets and supervision of office staff. She has a vast knowledge of local networks and is passionate about bringing local groups together to build a ‘Network of Networks’.
Her passion outside of work is horse riding, owning her own horse and competing in one day events, this along with keeping up with her 9 grandchildren ensures she never has a dull moment.
01325 380145
d.lax@healthwatchdarlington.co.uk
Abbey Lax - Community and Volunteer Officer
I am a married mum of three children and have one stepson. My role is to go out in the community meeting new people and allowing their voices to be heard and make a difference within the health and social care sector. I thrive off helping people and will always go that extra mile to help someone in need. My hobbies include going to the gym, watching my two son’s play football and socialising with my family and friends.
01325 380145
a.lax@healthwatchdarlington.co.uk
Jamie Odgers - Communications Officer
I'm originally from Northern Ireland and moved to Darlington in 2017. My many hobbies lie in sports - I'm a massive Liverpool FC fan as well as watching basketball and wrestling on TV regularly. Academically I have 2 computing degrees and so, I've had an interest in this field from a very young age.
I've been a volunteer with Healthwatch Darlington (initially in social media) for 5 years now and this has enabled me to further develop my IT skills as well as become a more active part of the community.
I enjoy getting out into community settings and events with Healthwatch to understand the needs and opinions of the public regarding their vital health and social care services and this helps me feel like I can make a worthwhile difference to the lives of people like me, in my community.
01325 380145
j.odgers@healthwatchdarlington.co.uk
Andrea Goldie - Community Facilitator
I have recently returned to the team at Healthwatch Darlington working as a Community Facilitator. This role involves working on our varied lead projects with diverse communities, individuals, and community networks. I facilitate conversations to gather the views of people who use health and care services, as well as promoting our work and encouraging people to become involved. I work closely with Darlington’s voluntary and community sector as well as key public sector stakeholders, complementing their work and drawing on their experience. I’m enjoying getting out and about in the local community to help where I can.
01325 380145
