Find Your Network Chair
Freedom to Speak Up Guardian networks are a vital source of support for guardians. There are 7 regional networks: North East and Yorkshire, East of England, London, Midlands, North East, North West, South East and South West.
There are also five national networks: the National Ambulance Network, Hospice Network, National Non-Provider Network, Primary Medical Services Network and the ICB 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.
Regional networks
North East and Yorkshire Network
Estelle Myers, Chair of North East and Yorkshire 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.
07768043998
East of England Network
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.
07831148300
London Network
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.
02086724001
Midlands Network
Sue Pike, Chair of Midlands network
Welcome to the Midlands regional network and the wider guardian family.
Sue Pike is chair, Jackie Rawlings and Mwamba Bennett are deputy chairs.
As a network we meet twice a month on line for a catch up and connect session, these are informal spaces for check in and support. We recognise the value of having a safe space and peer support for the guardians from all different backgrounds and organisations. Our network is for any freedom to speak up guardian across the Midlands region and currently we have Local Authority, Medical and Dental, ICB’s, hospices, Primary Care and Voluntary sectors as well as guardians from NHS trusts. We are a supportive network, with lots of experienced guardians and mentors, who love to share ideas and pinch with pride each other’s good practice.
Our check in meetings are on:
1st Tuesday of every month, 13:00 – 14:00
3rd Wednesday of every month 09:30 – 10:30
07919226887
North West Network
Kirsty Keir, Co-Chair North West Network
We are a friendly group who meet monthly to provide support and share ideas with fellow Guardians. The network is currently attended by guardians from a range of healthcare settings. So come along to share your thoughts, find answers to any problems, or give yourself a reflective space with like-minded people. Welcome to our North West Guardian family!
North-West Network
Tracey Garde, Co-Chair of North-West Network
Having worked in the NHS over 40 years and over 5 years as a FTSU Guardian I am fully aware of the pressures staff working in healthcare face on a day to day basis. The Guardian role can feel a lonely role especially when working in isolation. The Network offers a friendly ear ( and shoulder) for Guardians to discuss issues with their peers either in the main forum or in the supportive smaller space post meeting. Nobody understands the role of a Freedom to Speak Up Guardian more than those who carry out the role themselves!! Come along and share your thoughts, ideas, to find answers to any problem you are having or just give yourself some space with like-minded people who share your passion.
“Your Network is the people who want to help you and you want to help them and that’s really powerful” Reid Hoffman
South East Network
Mike Craissati, Chair of South East 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.
South West Network
Liz Bessant, Chair of South West Network
Hello to all the Freedom to Speak Up Guardians in the South West and welcome to our Network.
We have monthly Drop in Meetings on Teams for everyone where we update on developments in our day to day role and get support from each other for when things aren’t going so well. We all know what that’s like and we are all absolutely in the same boat and. everyone is really helpful and friendly.
We have four Regional all day events per year which are hosted by a Guardian within their organisation two are face to face and two are on Teams. We have national speakers/presentations and focus on trends and themes. There is always a member of the NGO there to update us and give advice.
We are starting a Communities in Practice Forum from April 2024 on a quarterly basis. This is being coordinated by our previous Chair Sonia Pearcy. This will enable more focussed support, learning and reflection for us.
Being appointed to the Network chair is a real privilege. I will do my utmost to help and support colleagues to deliver the best possible care for our Service Users. I am very proud indeed of our FTSU Guardians and our Champions, they offer so much experience, skill and commitment to the role.
My interests are cycling (at a leisurely pace…) socialising, swimming and going to the theatre (Musicals mainly)
Look forward to meeting you.
[email protected]
07919534750
National networks
National Ambulance Network
Kim Blakeburn, Co-Chair of National Ambulance Network
I’ve been the Freedom to Speak Up Guardian at South East Coast Ambulance service for 5 years, in this time so much has progressed for Freedom to Speak Up 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 Freedom to Speak Up. 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.
Hospice Network
Becky Lawson, Co-Chair of Hospice Network
I am a registered nurse and have been a Freedom to Speak Up Guardian since 2020: initially in a medium sized NHS Acute Trust and I moved to work at Compton Hospice in the summer of 2023. Working as part of the wider team to ensure staff in all healthcare environments feel safe to raise concerns is a privilege and I am very pleased to have this opportunity to further share and learn best practice as part of the network chair group.
0300 323 0250
Primary Medical Services Network
Linda Cross, Chair of Primary Medical Services Network
I have been a practice manager for 14 years so have good insight into the pressures facing primary care. I am passionate about the role of Freedom to Speak Up guardians and have carried out that role in Derbyshire for a year now. We all know that speaking up saves lives, assists with provision of excellent health care and enables staff to work in a civil, supportive culture. I am looking forward to being part of a network providing fellow Guardians with support and guidance to get speaking up part of business as usual.
[email protected]
07841 341 889
National Non-Provider Network
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.
[email protected]
07788 158655
Integrated Care Board Network
Luzani Moyo, Co-Chair of Integrated Care Board network
The ICB Freedom to Speak Up Guardian network aims to provide peer-to-peer support for FTSU guardians and create a safe space for them to discuss issues and topics that impact the effective delivery of their roles.
The network will offer opportunities to share, learn, and innovate. By sharing good practices, learning from each other and subject matter experts, and identifying innovative ways to improve our knowledge and practice, we can enhance the effectiveness of our roles.
Alastair Harlow, Co-Chair of Integrated Care Board network
I believe in empowering others to speak up, especially where there are hierarchy or power dynamics getting in the way. Speaking up can and does make a difference, and cultures can be changed when we do so. This national network is an opportunity for us to collectively set the culture and customs in this emerging, difficult space.