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Our People
began in 2014 with a courageous mission for trauma care excellence in Leeds. Today, we exist to make that vital support available to everyone, everywhere.

President + Founder

Professor Giannoudis was appointed Professor in Trauma and Orthopaedics at Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust in 2004.

Professor Giannoudis formed Day One in 2014 with the support of his patients, with the ambition of helping trauma patients through their recovery and to rebuild their lives.

Prof G Image 9 square

Our trustees

DOTS trustee Sue Proctor WEB SQUARE

Professor Sue Proctor

Chair
DOTS trustee Sue Proctor WEB SQUARE

Professor Sue Proctor

Chair

Sue has over 35 years’ experience in the NHS and is Chair of the Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. She has been a Trustee for a number of charities in areas of health, faith and education services. Sue is keen to support the development of Day One Trauma Support and our vision to provide help, advice and support to all people affected by major trauma. Sue has a PhD in health services research and is a Visiting Professor at Leeds Beckett University.

Kate Bratt Farrah

Kate Bratt-Farrar

Kate Bratt Farrah

Kate Bratt-Farrar

Kate has been Heart Research UK’s Chief Executive since 2019, having worked in the charity sector for over 18 years. Previously, Kate served as the Director of the Sue Ryder Wheatfields hospice and was Chief Executive of Leeds Women’s Aid. Kate has worked in policy and research at Cerebra, Save the Children and the Department of Health, as well as acting as a trustee for numerous charities, most recently with the Morrison’s Foundation.

Day One trustee David Hay web2

David Hay

Day One trustee David Hay web2

David Hay

David spent 32 years as a senior finance professional in the NHS before retiring as Deputy Director of Finance from Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in March 2021. David's contribution to the NHS was recognised by a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Healthcare Financial Management Association in Yorkshire and the Humber.

During his time in Leeds, David gained a wealth of experience in both the NHS and charity sectors - providing financial advice to the Trust's linked charity and to a charity dedicated to providing clinical training to staff in developing countries.

David brings his experience and strategic leadership skills to Day One and is passionate about the work it does to benefit patients.

Day One trustee Anthony Howard web

Anthony Howard

Day One trustee Anthony Howard web

Anthony Howard

Anthony is a Clinical Academic Lecturer in Trauma & Orthopaedics based at Leeds Major Trauma Centre and Oxford. Prior to medicine, Anthony is, and remains, a practicing Barrister and Assistant Coroner.
His motivation for joining Day One comes from a continued desire to make a real difference to patients of major trauma through all facets of their life.

Day One trustee Dr Louise Johnson web

Dr Louise Johnson

Day One trustee Dr Louise Johnson web

Dr Louise Johnson

Louise is a Principal Clinical Psychologist at Leeds Major Trauma Centre, where she has worked for more than six years, and has 12 years’ experience working in the NHS. Louise is passionate about recognising and supporting the psychological and emotional needs of those affected by major trauma. She is the Chair of the National Major Trauma Psychology Network. Louise’s specialist interests are major trauma, limb reconstruction, and paediatric orthopaedics. She has published various research papers within these areas.

Day One trustee Heather Mc Lellan web

Heather McLellan

Day One trustee Heather Mc Lellan web

Heather McLellan

Heather is a physiotherapist with more than 25 years’ experience across the NHS, occupational health in industry, and private rehabilitation services. Heather founded the specialist functional rehabilitation company, Designed2Move. Working in the personal injury sector, she set out to create a new approach specialising in the functional rehabilitation of seriously injured clients, with a team of therapy professionals delivering a nationwide service. She created a data driven rehabilitation methodology to measure and demonstrate progress with an evidence-based approach, combined with her clinical expertise. A frequent conference speaker and mentor, Heather has won awards throughout her career both as a practitioner and for clinical services she has designed.

Day One trustee Simon Morrow web

Simon Morrow

Day One trustee Simon Morrow web

Simon Morrow

Simon is the founder of brand design studio Something More. He builds brands and has helped private, public, and third sector organisations around the world develop strategy, identity, communications, and rally internal culture. He is also a guest lecturer at various universities.
Simon has been an avid fan of Day One from the very beginning having witnessed the impact of the charity as both a friend of a former patient and in a professional capacity. We welcome his unique perspective and sincere appreciation for our mission.
As Day One flourishes into a national charity, he hopes his marketing experience and fresh perspective will help us reach more people and ultimately support more lives.

Prof Philip Turner 14

Professor Philip Turner

Prof Philip Turner 14

Professor Philip Turner

Phil has been a Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon based at Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport since 1990. He is a Council and Executive member of the British Orthopaedic Association (BOA) and was President from 2018 to 2019.

Phil was awarded the Fellowship of the Faculty of Surgical Trainers of the RCS Edinburgh in 2016, holds an Honorary Professorship in the School of Health Sciences at the University of Salford and is an elected Council member and Trustee of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

His motivation for joining Day One stems from his experience of treating injured patients and the identified need for support over and above the clinical care provided by the NHS.

Our staff

Lucys preferred photo new web

Lucy Nickson

CEO
Lucys preferred photo new web

Lucy Nickson

CEO

Lucy is proud to be leading Day One Trauma Support. The cause is very close to Lucy’s heart, having started her career as a nurse. Her broad clinical, managerial and leadership experience across the NHS, commercial and charitable sectors, has given her a strong reputation for leading change, transformation, and growth.

In 2017 Lucy was awarded an Honorary degree of Doctor of Medicine, MD (Hon) by the University of Sheffield, in recognition of her influence and work in Palliative and End of Life Care services across the region.

Lucy is also Vice Chair of the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Board, and is a trained civil and commercial mediator and Family Magistrate.

Emily Smiths preferred picture

Emily Smith

Director of Finance and Rescources
Emily Smiths preferred picture

Emily Smith

Director of Finance and Rescources

Emily joined Day One in January 2022 as the charity’s Finance Manager. She has responsibility for the finances of the charity including internal and external accounts and budgeting. Emily is a Chartered Accountant and holds a Masters degree in Accounting and Finance. She is passionate about working in the charity sector and prior to joining Day One, Emily worked at another Leeds based charity and also had over 13 years’ experience in professional service firms. In her spare time, Emily is a Trustee at The Welcome Centre food bank in Huddersfield.

Craig Linton

Craig Linton

Interim Director of Fundraising and Communications
Craig Linton

Craig Linton

Interim Director of Fundraising and Communications

Craig is our interim Director of Fundraising and Communications. His role is to work with the team to develop the strategy and funding plan to grow income and awareness to help the charity achieve its growth plans.

He brings over 20 years of fundraising experience at a local, national and international level. He has worked as a fundraising consultant For the last seven years, with a specialism in individual giving and campaign development.

He’s excited to join Day One at this crucial stage of their growth. A close friend of Craig's suffered a traumatic injury in 2022 and didn’t get the support that Day One offers, which is why he believes it so crucial to expand the service.

Outside of work, Craig still tries to play football, has a season ticket at Everton and is an occasional golfer and gardener.

Liz Ryley photo

Liz Ryley

Director of Services
Liz Ryley photo

Liz Ryley

Director of Services

Liz joined Day One in March 2023 bringing over 20 years’ senior leadership experience in the charity sector to the role of Director of Services. She is passionate about supporting organisations that make a positive difference in people’s lives. Liz has been a People and Operations Director for a local environmental charity, an Assistant Director of Clinical Operations for a larger health charity and a Senior Operations Manager for the UK’s largest charity. Liz has held a number of Non Exec Director positions and is currently Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees for a specialist counselling charity.

Kirsty Christmas staff photo

Kirsty Christmas

Fundraising Manager
Kirsty Christmas staff photo

Kirsty Christmas

Fundraising Manager

Kirsty joined Day One in July 2022. As Fundraising Manager, Kirsty’s role focuses on raising funds to support everyone affected by major trauma. Kirsty is passionate about building relationships with businesses, groups, and individuals who would like to get involved in fundraising, so do get in touch!

Kirsty has worked in the charity sector for 16 years, for organisations including The Donkey Sanctuary, Muscular Dystrophy UK, and, more recently, as Fundraising Manager for Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice. When she’s not working, Kirsty loves attending concerts, walking her two rescue lurchers, and riding her ex-racehorse Murphy.

Dave Nichols staff picture

Dave Nichols

Communications Manager
Dave Nichols staff picture

Dave Nichols

Communications Manager

Dave joined Day One in 2021 as Communications Manager.

He is responsible for raising the profile of the charity and celebrating our amazing supporters through our activities and media work. Dave is passionate about telling people's stories so more people understand the impact of major trauma and the need for better support for patients and their loved ones.

Dave understands the impact major trauma has on families after spending seven years reporting on incidents as a journalist, and a further seven years with a national road safety charity. He also helped establish the communications function for an NHS charity that supported one of the 27 Major Trauma Centres.

In his spare time, Dave enjoys running and spending time with his wife and three young children.

Nicola Warmbly

Nicola Wharmby

Governance Manager
Nicola Warmbly

Nicola Wharmby

Governance Manager

Nicola joined Day One in November 2022 as Governance Manager. Nicola’s role is to ensure Day One adheres to legislative and compliance requirements, working with the Board of Trustees and staff to ensure Day One has sound and integrated governance processes.
Nicola previously worked in a governance role for the Co-op Academy Trust, and prior to a career break to bring up her sons, worked in a range of roles in the charitable sector. She is excited about the opportunity to develop integrated practical and emotional support for patients and families experience major trauma.
In her spare time Nicola is a Governor at a local primary school.

Carley Stubbs staff photo

Carley Stubbs

Peer Support Programme Manager
Carley Stubbs staff photo

Carley Stubbs

Peer Support Programme Manager

Carley joined Day One in January 2022 as our Peer Support Programme Manager. Carley is passionate about authentic, person-centred and experience-led support models and has a personal interest in peer support, as well as a professional background in developing and delivering peer support projects and services. Most recently Carley has worked in peer support roles across mental health, learning disability and young people’s contexts, and is keen to learn more about how different peer support models can be applied in a major trauma context. In her role at Day One, Carley will work closely with our volunteers and support them to draw on their lived experience of major trauma, and major trauma recovery, in order to help others going through the same thing. In her spare time Carley is an emergency foster parent to sausage dogs in need, and can often be found experimenting in a pottery studio trying to make mugs (but mostly just making a mess!).

Amanda Booth

Amanda Booth

Outreach Worker (West Yorkshire)
Amanda Booth

Amanda Booth

Outreach Worker (West Yorkshire)

Amanda joined Day One in February 2023 as the Outreach Worker for West Yorkshire. She trained as an integrative counsellor before working within a national road victim service under a variety of roles, delivering trauma informed support to individuals seriously injured or bereaved. Amanda is passionate about providing quality support and believes that anyone who has experienced traumatic injury should have access to the best possible aftercare available.

Marianne website photo edited

Marianne Wadsworth

Caseworker - Leeds and West Yorkshire
Marianne website photo edited

Marianne Wadsworth

Caseworker - Leeds and West Yorkshire

Marianne joined the Day One Team in October 2022 as a Caseworker at Leeds General Infirmary. She is passionate about working in the voluntary sector supporting children and adults. Marianne previously worked with Barnardo’s for 12 years, developing and delivering services for vulnerable children and young people, and supporting families and communities across Bradford. Having just finished studying with the Open University, Marianne is looking forward to spending more social time with friends and family (and her dog), planning road trips in her campervan, and supporting her teenager through his GCSE’s.

DOTS staff photo Sue Hodgson Newcastle

Sue Hodgson

Caseworker - Newcastle
DOTS staff photo Sue Hodgson Newcastle

Sue Hodgson

Caseworker - Newcastle

Sue has an extensive career working in the field of Health and Social Care. For the last 27 years she has been employed by a North East charity providing specialist support to autistic adults and young people.

She has successfully managed CQC registered services, steering and leading change during times of uncertainty in the sector.

Sue is incredibly passionate about enabling people to achieve the best outcomes in their lives. She looks forward to continuing to use her knowledge and skills to benefit others and support the vision of Day One Trauma Support.

Sue enjoys music, theatre and short breaks with family and friends in her spare time.

Lee Devitt

Lee Devitt

Caseworker - Middlesbrough
Lee Devitt

Lee Devitt

Caseworker - Middlesbrough

Lee joined the team in 2023 as a caseworker based at The James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, where he provides bedside support and advice to families who have suffered a catastrophic injury.

Berenic Bradley Staff photo

Berenice Bradley

Caseworker - Sheffield and South Yorkshire
Berenic Bradley Staff photo

Berenice Bradley

Caseworker - Sheffield and South Yorkshire

Berenice began providing bedside support to patients and families at Sheffield Major Trauma Centre in February 2023. Thanks to our latest partnership with Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, we'll be reaching more people across South Yorkshire.

If you live, work or have contacts in the region, we'd love to hear from you - just get in touch.

Sue Hodgson

Susan Hodgson

Caseworker - Sheffield and South Yorkshire
Sue Hodgson

Susan Hodgson

Caseworker - Sheffield and South Yorkshire

Susan began providing bedside support to patients and families at Sheffield Major Trauma Centre in February 2023. Thanks to our latest partnership with Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, we'll be reaching more people across South Yorkshire.

If you live, work or have contacts in the region, we'd love to hear from you - just get in touch.

Pippa Hind Walsh

Pippa Hind-Walsh

Corporate Fundraiser
Pippa Hind Walsh

Pippa Hind-Walsh

Corporate Fundraiser

Pippa joined Day One in July 2023 to develop and manage Day One's corporate partnerships. Pippa has over 10 years of experience in fundraising and has managed a variety of partnerships, from small corporate relationships to developing large strategic partnerships. In her spare time, Pippa is a huge foodie and enjoys trying new international cuisine. She also enjoys hiking and going on adventures with her young family.

Callum Campbell staff photo

Callum Campbell

Digital Communications Officer
Callum Campbell staff photo

Callum Campbell

Digital Communications Officer

Callum joined Day One as our Digital Communications Officer in June 2022. His role is centred around developing Day One’s online communications through the website, social media, and email campaigns. Callum has worked for charities in fundraising and communications roles for six years, most recently helping a national children’s charity develop their online information offer. He is passionate about making a difference to people impacted by trauma through digital. In his spare time, Callum likes walking in the Yorkshire Dales or cosying up with a good book.

Racheal Sales

Rachael Sales

Finance Assistant
Racheal Sales

Rachael Sales

Finance Assistant

Rachael joined Day One in January 2023 as a Finance Assistant to support in the day to day finance role of the charity. Rachael has previously worked in finance and administration for a number of years and is passionate about working in a care environment. She is excited about the opportunity to be part of Day One as it grows, supporting patients and families who have experienced major trauma. Rachael also works part-time as a Bereavement Counsellor for GriefChat and is passionate about providing immediate support to those who are struggling with loss and grief.

When not working, Rachael enjoys spending time with her two dogs (fur babies) Otis and Molly, and enjoying the delicious creations cooked up by her chef husband.

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