Back in 2020, there were only 5 members of the Well Doncaster team working across the borough. Fast forward to two years and February 2022 now sees 21 members of the Well Doncaster team using community centred approaches to strengthening our communities and helping to reduce health and wealth inequalities in Doncaster.

Most recently, we have welcomed a Be Well Coach to support residents improving their health and wellbeing through one to one support utilising behaviour change tools in the North of Doncaster. We have also welcomed a Well Doncaster Officer to support with the ever growing work in Central Doncaster. Lastly, we also welcome a Public Health Coordinator to help oversee the Shaping Stainforth work.

Lets meet the newest members of the Well Doncaster team…

My Name is Karen Seaman and am the newly appointed Public Health Coordinator in the Well Doncaster Team. 40% of my role is dedicated to Shaping Stainforth.

I have in the past had the privilege to have worked in the Well Doncaster team.

In 2017 I was seconded to the initial Well Doncaster project where I worked tirelessly facilitating community development with a focus on Denaby Main. After 3 years I returned to my substantive post as Family Hub Manager for the South area of Doncaster with Doncaster Council.

I have worked with children and families since 2008 when I became a family support worker in what was, back then, Children Centre’s. I have a real passion for supporting families in the community to enable them to achieve best start in life for children.

Building community cohesion through increasing access and engagement at planned events has always been a priority for me. Some examples of events I have organised are; Christmas markets and grottos with live reindeers and Father Christmas for Children to meet and Bikeathon challenges which helped families be active across a mix venues all at the same time. 

Whilst Manager of Family Hubs across the South of the borough, I built partnerships and links with both professionals and volunteers to enhance services whilst continuing to support staff within Well Doncaster in connecting with the community and offering a work space for staff.

You will hear more from me in an upcoming post about Shaping Stainforth and how I will be building on the learning from my experience and especially from my time working with Well Doncaster in Denaby Main.

Next we have a new member of the Be Well Doncaster Team;

Hi, I’m Emma and I have recently been appointed as one of the Be Well Health and Wellbeing Coaches in the North of Doncaster. I am really looking forward to getting out in the community and meeting with the residents.

Until recently, I have been working in Doncaster Council’s Adult Learning Disability Team where I learnt a great deal about Learning Disabilities and Autism, and some of the challenges residents, and their carers have to face, as well as some of the great services available throughout Doncaster.  I have a long and varied career of working in Health, Education and Social Care, having worked in the Voluntary Sector, the NHS and statutory services.   I love working with people, and hope that some of the skills I have learned along the way will help me in my new role in Be Well Doncaster. 

Many of the towns I have worked in have been areas of social deprivation. I am interested in levelling up Health Inequalities within deprived communities, and for minority groups.  One of the things I have quickly learned since moving to Doncaster is the strength within communities. This was evident during the floods of 2018, and throughout the Covid 19 Pandemic.  The people of Doncaster are resilient, and seem to welcome the positive changes that are happening within their communities.

In my spare time, I enjoy music, walking and exploring Doncaster.  I love the sea and enjoy body boarding and sea swimming. I am yet to brave swimming in Hatfield Lake, but it is on my ‘to do’ list for 2022.  I am also interested in becoming a ‘Movement in Practice Facilitator’ and am currently completing a course which I hope will lead towards this goal, with the eventual aim of being able to incorporate movement into my work. 

Last but not least we have a new Well Doncaster Officer

Hello my name is Abu, I have recently joined Well Doncaster as a Public Health Officer for Central Doncaster.

I was born and raised in Scunthorpe but currently live in Sheffield. I have worked in variety of roles, from the the service industry to working in a pathology lab. During my time as a Support Worker for vulnerable adults I developed a passion for health and communities. This passion led me to my previous role as a COVID-19 Community Link Officer for Doncaster Council. In this role, I supported different communities in Doncaster with COVID-19 related issues. During this role, I was able to experience and develop an appreciation for the communities within Doncaster and thoroughly enjoyed working with them. I joined the Well Doncaster team to be able to work with communities further in enjoying better health and wellbeing.

Academically, I have a BSc in Biomedical Science and a Masters in Public Health from the University of Sheffield.  These have given me a wider view of health and lead me to greatly admire the community centred approach of Well Doncaster. Outside of work, I train in Thai boxing, like going to the gym and trying different types of food.

I look forward to working with you all soon.

You will hear more from the team as we continue to work with our fantastic communities.