Kirsty Mabb
I started working at Cherry Lodge on 30 October 2006, as Cancer Information Outreach Nurse, two days a week. This post is part of the A5 Partnership Healthy Living Project. This aims to address the health inequalities in our borough, reaching out in particular to communities on the west side of Barnet and along the A5 corridor. Thus, I spend most of my time seeing people in Day Centres and groups in Hendon, Colindale, and Burnt Oak.
Previously, I worked for 22 years as a District Nurse in the Holloway area of North London, where, in 1988 I had the good fortune of working with Fiona Kiddle, who was then a Macmillan Nurse. I think it would be fair to say that we "spoke the same language" and worked together really well visiting people with cancer at home, and supporting them and their families. Fiona and I also cofacilitated a Carers' Group for a year and I still facilitate the group to this day!
Having never worked in Barnet before, I decided that I needed to explore and network in order to move the role swiftly on.
I have been amazed and delighted how receptive people have been towards me, and my diary has filled up fast.
I now have monthly "surgeries" where I give talks and see people on a one to one basis at Sangam Association of Asian Women; Anand Day Centre (Asian Elders); Barnet African-Caribbean Association; Barnet Asian Old People's Association; Barnet Somali Community Group- the latter three all based at The Multi-Cultural Centre in Hendon. At the Barnet Asian Old People's Association I have been asked to facilitate the running of a Cancer Support Group for the members and their families. I have also forged links with the Refugee Womens' Group at Whitefield's School, where I have given a short talk, and seen people individually. Recently, this has become a more regular session.
In short, this has been a time of great interest and discovery for me, responding to the various needs of the different groups, and trying to make my information and help accessible to all. Without doubt, given the sort of response and requests that I have received, there is a huge need for information out there in our multi-cultural communities, and I hope to build on the links that I have made, to ensure that this role continues to develop, and that people are aware of the services available at Cherry Lodge.
Everyone has been so kind and wselcoming, and I realise how very fortunate I am to be just a tiny part of Cherry Lodge.
Kirsty Mabb
Outreach Cancer Information Nurse
