Our Willen Hospice family comprises many wonderful people, from many different backgrounds, many of whom are inspirational women. 

The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day focuses on ‘Inspiring Inclusion’. We spoke with three remarkable women from our leadership team and asked them to share their views on inclusion and what it truly means to them.  

Kate Broadhurst, Chief Executive

Kate leads us as all as advocate for flexible working and inclusion.

“When I first started my career, there were limited female role models who were being supported in balancing their career with having children. This resulted in so much lost talent. When I had my son I was in a senior leadership role, and there was very little understanding of work-life balance, let alone flexible working. 

“This was the first time I felt that in order to be true to myself, I needed to do something to change the playing field. After having my son, I requested to return to my role on part-time hours. I was fortunate enough at the time to have a male line manager who wanted to support my request. I was the first female, in that position, to have requested a flexible approach to my role and I cannot deny that it was really challenging doing the role in 3 days a week – but that made me even more determined to make it work. I am delighted to say that flexible working and job sharing is now embraced and even championed in both my previous organisation and at Willen. 

“It is only by challenging all stereotypes, calling out discrimination, drawing attention to bias and seeking out inclusion that we can ensure the collective economic, social and political advancement of women.”

 

 

Kike Pinheiro, Director of Clinical Services 

Kike explains how inclusion is at the very heart of hospice care. 

“At Willen Hospice, our vision for care extends far beyond simply meeting the physical needs of our patients. We strive to create an environment where each individual is treated with dignity, respect and compassion, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status. Inclusion means ensuring that every person feels valued and supported throughout their journey, from the moment they enter our care until their final moments, and beyond for their loved ones.

“Palliative care nationwide is facing a significant challenge in achieving fair access for all individuals. It is essential that we address this disparity by harnessing data, collaborating with other health and social care providers, and adapting our practices to meet the diverse needs of our community.

“By embracing inclusion, we can break down barriers to access and ensure that everyone receives the best quality end-of-life care, regardless of their circumstances.”  

 

Ali Lowe, Director of People Services

Ali and her team are passionately inspiring an inclusion-led organisational culture, here at Willen.

“At its core, inclusion embodies the principle of welcoming diversity in all its forms. It goes beyond mere tolerance to embracing the richness of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences that each person brings to the table. By valuing inclusion, we acknowledge the inherent worth and dignity of every individual, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or any other characteristic.  

“International Women’s Day serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing journey towards gender equality and the importance of inclusive practices in achieving this goal. While we have made significant strides in promoting gender diversity within our organisation, there is still work to be done. Inclusion means creating a workplace where women not only have a seat at the table but also feel empowered to contribute their unique insights and talents fully.

“Let us all reaffirm our commitment to creating a workplace at Willen where every woman, and indeed every individual, can thrive and succeed. Let’s inspire inclusion not just today, but every day, as we work towards building a more equitable and inclusive future for all.”

 

The role of our charity in the community is to ensure every individual, regardless of their circumstances, should have access to the highest quality end-of-life-care. 

What connects us all as women at Willen Hospice is a working environment where we can be our authentic selves, thrive and make a difference in our community. What unites us all at Willen Hospice as people is our shared values and a heartfelt commitment to caring for local people and each other.

 Thinking of joining our team? See our latest vacancies