Elayne Rushton, Trustee

My first professional qualification was as a Registered General Nurse, following that I became a Registered Midwife gaining a special interest in infant and child development which prompted me to train as a Health Visitor at Bradford University.

Subsequently I was in the front line, where it is the Health Visitor’s role to assess the developmental and health care needs of all infants and children. The Health Visitor then makes appropriate referrals, devises plans, and implements care interventions and support structures for those with health and special needs, moving parents forward positively, thereby enabling individuals to promote and maintain the health of their families. As I became more skilled I undertook a Fieldwork Teacher course and taught those skills to student nurses and doctors. Working in Tameside, I became actively involved in Community and Child Health Education, developing programmes and delivering them into schools and the community. I wrote, illustrated and produced health education materials and booklets, some of which were eventually distributed nationally.

I had designated responsibilities to Special Needs Schools and it was in Tameside that I set up the first Special Needs Toy Library Centre.

With further post graduate training I went on to become a Lecturer and Specialist in Health Visiting Community and Child Health in Manchester supporting, monitoring and advising the delivery of services.

I spent time in Blackpool, where I managed and expanded the Doctors Deputising Service there, gaining valuable diplomatic managerial experience, organising a service for a large number of doctors.

Alongside my career, I have set up and ran two businesses of my own, employing staff and contracting to other businesses and tradespeople, diversifying my experiences.

Maintaining an interest within the care services I joined Ordinary Lifestyles as a volunteer where I enjoyed organising the weekly social group ‘Fun Factor’ where we invite people from across the city as well as those supported by Ordinary Lifestyles.