Freedom to Speak Up Guardian networks are a vital source of support for guardians. There are 7 regional networks: Cumbria, Yorkshire and Humber, East of England, London, Midlands,  North East,  North West, South East and South West.

There are also three national networks: the National Ambulance Network, Hospice Network and National Non-Provider Network.

Please contact your network chair, who will introduce you to your network and put you in touch with other Freedom to Speak Up guardians in your region and sector.   

Find out more and your next network meeting dates below.

Network Meetings - Terms of Reference

Find Your Network Chair

Estelle Myers

Chair of Yorkshire and Humber Regional Network

Welcome to the Yorkshire and Humber regional network. Estelle Myers is chair and Joe Cohen is Vice chair. Since the early years of Freedom to speak up Regional networks, we have recognised the value of peer support in a safe space. We are a vibrant network that meets monthly with quarterly regional meetings held via teams. Our network is for any Freedom to speak up guardian across Yorkshire and Humber and currently we have Local Authority, Medical and Dental school, Primary Care and Voluntary sectors as well as guardians from NHS trusts. We are a supportive network who love to share ideas and good practice. Welcome to our guardian family.

Email:
[email protected]

Tel: 07768043998

Annie Ng

Annie Ng

Chair of East of England Network

Welcome to the East of England Regional Network. I am very privileged to be the Chair of this friendly and supportive network. Our meetings are quarterly (3 hours) and focus on providing opportunities to Share, Learn and Innovate. We share good practice, learn from each other and from subject matter experts and identify innovative ways to improve our knowledge and practice. These meetings also give us all the opportunity to discuss regional issues and topics that impacts on the effective delivery of the Guardian’s role and to connect with the NGO. We also have monthly on-line Community of Practice meetings that gives Guardians a safe and supportive space to connect and discuss specific areas of their practice or work that are presenting them with challenges. Guardians in the region are actively encouraged to participate in both these forums.

Email:
[email protected]

Tel: 07831148300

Karyn Richards-Wright

Chair of London Network

As a region we meet fortnightly via MS Teams to support, share learning and offer a safe space to Guardians throughout the region. We are committed to our roles as Guardians and find the protected time to meet an invaluable support for our roles. Quarterly meetings: 30-Nov-23 (10:00-14:00) 25-Jan-24 (10:00-14:00)

Email:
[email protected]

Tel: 02086724001

Sue Pike

Chair of Midlands Network

Email:
[email protected]

Tel: 07919226887

Phil Gordon

Phil Gordon

Chair of North-West Regional Network

The North-West FTSUG Network meets every month. It is a great source of peer support, networking, and an opportunity to buddy up with colleagues. We have regular guest speakers covering a wide range of topics, and it provides us with an opportunity to identify any regional issues that need discussing or to bringing to the attention of the NGO. Following every meeting, we keep the room open for as long as needed where anyone can stay to offer and receive informal peer support.

Email:
[email protected]

Tel: 07517581605

Mike Craissati

Chair of South East Regional Network

Hello, my name is Mike Craissati and for the last couple of years I have been the Chair of the South East Regional Network. I’m ably supported by Co-Chairs, Celina Todd, Tracey Underhill & Simon Holbrook and the region covers a large geographical area from Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire down to the south coast and East (South of the M25) to Kent. We have a membership of over 170 Guardians representing a diverse range of healthcare organisations, from NHS Trusts to Primary Care, Commissioners and private healthcare providers. We have a range of network meetings over the year where all members are encouraged to engage, network and share best practice with other members in a psychologically safe space. We warmly welcome all new Guardians to join us and both myself and the Regional Co-Chairs area available to support and answer any queries from network members. Quarterly meetings: 13-Dec-23 (10:00-13:00) 5-Mar-24 (10:00-13:00) 11-Jun-24 (10:00-13:00) 3-Sep-24 (10:00-13:00) 10-Dec-24 (10:00-13:00)

Email:
[email protected]

Tel: N/A

Liz Bessant

Liz Bessant

Chair of South West Network

Quarterly meetings: 29-Jan-24 (Time TBC)

Email:
[email protected]

Tel: 07919534750

Graham Pacey

Co-Chair of National Ambulance Network

16 years working across all areas of an ambulance service allows me to really understand how they tick. Given the current pressures all of our people face on a day to day basis ambulance guardians are stretched across large geographical areas, and similar to other guardians are a friend to everyone, yet were without friends. The National Ambulance Network is your friend, it’s a safe space to talk, discuss and disagree. If you work as a guardian involving an ambulance service then were the network for you, if your like minded, laid back and a fan of blue lights then come along to one of our meetings.

Email:
[email protected]

Tel: N/A

Carmen Peters

Co-Chair of National Ambulance Network

Email:
[email protected]

Tel: N/A

Kim Blakeburn

Co-Chair of National Ambulance Network

I’ve been the FTSU Guardian at South East Coast Ambulance service for 5 years, in this time so much has progressed for FTSU and for the evolution of our role as Guardians. An essential constant for the comfort and reassurance from peers has always been provided in our network. I firmly believe that the right supportive network around us when we’re struggling with what at times can be an emotionally tough role, is vital to progressing the work of FTSU. We all know speaking up saves lives and I feel very fortunate to be part of such an important subject. I’m looking forward to supporting my fellow guardians in getting ‘speaking up’ business as usual within our own organisations.

Email:
[email protected]

Tel: N/A

Janet Simkins

Co-Chair of Hospice Network

Quarterly meetings: 17-Jan-24 (13:00- 15:00) 17-Apr-24 (13:00- 15:00) 17-Jul-24 (13:00- 15:00) 16-Oct-24 (13:00- 15:00)

Email:
[email protected]

Tel: 02085256043

Jane Naismith

Co-Chair of Hospice Network

Quarterly meetings: 17-Jan-24 (13:00- 15:00) 17-Apr-24 (13:00- 15:00) 17-Jul-24 (13:00- 15:00) 16-Oct-24 (13:00- 15:00)

Email:
[email protected]

Tel: 02085253007

Sophie Cowan

Co-Chair of Hospice Network

Quarterly meetings: 17-Jan-24 (13:00- 15:00) 17-Apr-24 (13:00- 15:00) 17-Jul-24 (13:00- 15:00) 16-Oct-24 (13:00- 15:00)

Email:
[email protected]

Tel: 07968376968

Nick Hodgetts

Nick Hodgetts

Chair of National Non-Provider Network

Welcome to the National Non-Provider Guardians network, which is open to all Guardians who work in NHS England, NHS Arms Length Bodies, Integrated Care Systems and independent healthcare. My name is Nick Hodgetts and I chair the network; we meet quarterly (23/24 dates to be confirmed) and will be using the network to support, provide guidance, share best practice across Freedom to Speak Up and help to make it business as usual as widely as possible. We look forward to making a real difference in 23/24 as part of a year of significant change, and the network will be a key part of this. Everyone has a part to play and a right to shine without fear, and we are passionate about what we do and how we can help people, and are keen to help lead and develop the debate nationally. Quarterly Meetings: 27-Feb-24 (13:30-15:30)

Email:
[email protected]

Tel: 07788 158655