Meet the Team Christina
Meet the Northern Lifetime team
Ella Cornforth
Director, Case Manager, and Expert Witness
I discovered voluntary work as a teenager - helping out at a nearby residential home in the West Midlands. I then volunteered as a support worker for a company organising holidays for people with disabilities.
The dedication of the company and its staff in providing an adventurous break whatever a person's ability struck a chord with me.
I came across case management somewhat by accident while an occupational therapist. I saw what case management could do for people with head injuries, but felt they were being poorly served by existing services.
When I was an OT student, I met the most inspirational mentor, Ashleigh Phoenix. Amongst many attributes, she demonstrated the value of compassion and a non-judgemental therapeutic relationship.
So began my career in case management. I'm now a qualified occupational therapist and an Advanced Member of the British Association of Case Managers (BABICM), with years of experience as a practitioner and also as a medico legal expert.
Jane Paige (nee Warren)
Director and Case Manager
I knew I wanted to work with people while at school, and volunteered at a Mencap Gateway Club when I was 16.
I enjoyed connecting with people who thought differently to me - it was great helping their parents get a break and it was fun too.
I then worked for Sheffield Council's disability day service, working with people who had a brain injury.
After attending a course given by two specialist brain injury social workers - Jackie Parker and Jenny Gaber - Jackie became a strong influence and I joined her business.
Backed by in-depth knowledge of brain injury and disability, I believe a good case manager needs to be caring, client-focussed, a near genius multi-skilled multi-tasker, and unphased by new and challenging situations.
Ensuring the best outcome for clients is my core task. However I have also been a consultant on a film focussing on serious head injury, a speaker at conferences, and a trainer of fellow professionals and solicitors.
Terry Mallon
Occupational Therapist and Expert Witness
Early on I worked as a relief porter in a local hospital, which I loved, before becoming a BT engineer. Together they made me realise that working in a healthcare setting, and with people as opposed to tech, was for me.
My epiphany came via a library book that included a chapter on NHS professions. I stumbled on Occupational Therapy (OT) and resolved to enrol on a college course.
After this I worked in Rotherham for an OT manager who was charismatic and plain speaking. She was professional and pragmatic, and represented the profession in a dynamic and assertive manner, which made a big impression on me.
A good OT practitioner needs to be client centred, non-prescriptive and a good problem solver, but really the first rule of OT is to establish a rapport with your client.
My professional mantra is to ask, “Has my input made any difference to the individual’s quality of life?” Yes I give people equipment and adaptations, but I see my role as being much more wider and holistic than that.
Rachel Blackbourn
Case Manager
I began my career as a Care Support Worker helping adolescents and adults with learning disabilities in the NHS. Here I first came across Occupational Therapy teams and the concept of rehabilitation, and I decided that this was where I wanted to be.
I applied for a role as OT assistant and soon realised that being community based to help clients in their own homes and all areas of their daily life was better for me. So in 2004 I started working as a therapy assistant specialising in brain and spinal injury, and never looked back.
The work is so varied and rewarding that It then seemed a natural progression to become a case manager.
To my mind, striving to see the client safe and happy requires the ability to remain cool, calm and collected at all times. Being adaptable, organised and proactive is vital too - as is always wearing a friendly smile.
For me it’s helping a client work towards reaching their goals - however big or small – that’s my reward, plus passing on knowledge and mentoring to some great Support Workers.
Rochelle Marsh
Case Manager
As a student nurse I worked in a hospice looking after patients at the end of life or undergoing palliative care. This sparked my interest in making a difference for the people I work with.
I gravitated towards Case Management so that I could continue with the work I enjoyed. Early on I was told by Kate Marshall, ‘whatever decisions you have to make, always keep the client at the centre’, advice especially helpful at difficult times.
For me, a client reporting that they feel listened to and understood is everything.
I gravitated towards Case Management so that I could continue with the work I enjoyed. Early on I was told by Kate Marshall, ‘whatever decisions you have to make, always keep the client at the centre’, advice especially helpful at difficult times.
For me, a client reporting that they feel listened to and understood is everything.
You need to be a good listener, so the client feels heard and supported. It’s so rewarding when a client achieves a goal and you have been part of assisting them to achieve this.
Case management is so varied - I can be running around a cricket field after a client’s dog one day and attending a serious meeting with a litigation team the next, and everything in between.
Case management is so varied - I can be running around a cricket field after a client’s dog one day and attending a serious meeting with a litigation team the next, and everything in between.
Rachel Blackbourn
Case Manager
I began my career as a Care Support Worker helping adolescents and adults with learning disabilities in the NHS. Here I first came across Occupational Therapy teams and the concept of rehabilitation, and I decided that this was where I wanted to be.
I applied for a role as OT assistant and soon realised that being community based to help clients in their own homes and all areas of their daily life was better for me. So in 2004 I started working as a therapy assistant specialising in brain and spinal injury, and never looked back.
The work is so varied and rewarding that It then seemed a natural progression to become a case manager.
To my mind, striving to see the client safe and happy requires the ability to remain cool, calm and collected at all times. Being adaptable, organised and proactive is vital too - as is always wearing a friendly smile.
For me it’s helping a client work towards reaching their goals - however big or small – that’s my reward, plus passing on knowledge and mentoring to some great Support Workers.
Joanne Cox
Case Manager
I've worked with people who have brain injuries for 19 years now, and six years ago I become a Case Manager.
I started with my working life in court protection, before the opportunity arose for me to transition into Case Management. I'd always been curious about exactly what this would entail and I just knew it was time to take the leap.
For me the best possible outcome in case management is when a client has reached their goals and no longer needs input because they have become Independent.
To do this job well I think that empathy, patience, organisational skills, kindness and a good sense of humour are most important.
It's very rewarding to see a client's life change as they become more independent; to watch families engaging with their children; and also when a client who cannot at first see their potential eventually becomes aware of it, and the positive way it changes them.
Case Managers don't have all the answers and we don't get everything right straight away. Sometimes even small steps can take months (if not years), but when a client reaches milestones it encourages them to continue moving forward, and it is worth it in the end.
I started with my working life in court protection, before the opportunity arose for me to transition into Case Management. I'd always been curious about exactly what this would entail and I just knew it was time to take the leap.
For me the best possible outcome in case management is when a client has reached their goals and no longer needs input because they have become Independent.
To do this job well I think that empathy, patience, organisational skills, kindness and a good sense of humour are most important.
It's very rewarding to see a client's life change as they become more independent; to watch families engaging with their children; and also when a client who cannot at first see their potential eventually becomes aware of it, and the positive way it changes them.
Case Managers don't have all the answers and we don't get everything right straight away. Sometimes even small steps can take months (if not years), but when a client reaches milestones it encourages them to continue moving forward, and it is worth it in the end.
Victoria
Butterell
Case Manager
My first job after graduating from university was as a physiotherapist on a Neurological Rehabilitation Unit. I loved building long-term relationships with patients and their families, and working in a challenging environment that provided endless opportunities to learn.
This led to 20 years of service in the NHS, 18 of which I spent in neurological rehabilitation. Then came an opportunity to transfer my experience and knowledge into Case Management. It gave me the ability to remain working within neurological and complex case rehabilitation, and to continue with the long-term relationships with patients/clients that I so enjoyed.
I find it rewarding to support people in feeling that their lives - though irreversibly changed - can be positive and meaningful again.
A good outcome ranges from having the confidence some years after a brain injury to spend your first night alone at home, to moving back into your own home from long-term residential care.
Above all a Case Manager needs a high level of inter-personal skills, as you are often meeting clients and their families at the worst of times, when they may be grieving or have generally lost trust in professionals. You therefore need to be emotionally resilient and have an ability to multitask - a good sense of humour helps too.
Christina Wilks
Associate Case Manager
My first job after graduating from university was as a physiotherapist on a Neurological Rehabilitation Unit. I loved building long-term relationships with patients and their families, and working in a challenging environment that provided endless opportunities to learn.
This led to 20 years of service in the NHS, 18 of which I spent in neurological rehabilitation. Then came an opportunity to transfer my experience and knowledge into Case Management. It gave me the ability to remain working within neurological and complex case rehabilitation, and to continue with the long-term relationships with patients/clients that I so enjoyed.
I find it rewarding to support people in feeling that their lives - though irreversibly changed - can be positive and meaningful again.
A good outcome ranges from having the confidence some years after a brain injury to spend your first night alone at home, to moving back into your own home from long-term residential care.
Above all a Case Manager needs a high level of inter-personal skills, as you are often meeting clients and their families at the worst of times, when they may be grieving or have generally lost trust in professionals. You therefore need to be emotionally resilient and have an ability to multitask - a good sense of humour helps too.
Gemma Bradshaw
Service Manager
have six years experience as a client assistant and office manager, and enjoy that my role helps improve a client's quality of life.
Having a positive effect on clients gives me great job satisfaction - as does seeing how committed our case managers are to securing the best outcomes for our clients.
Every situation is different too - for some clients being able to leave a bedroom they haven't left for years is a tremendous outcome; for others it is returning to work.
Having a positive effect on clients gives me great job satisfaction - as does seeing how committed our case managers are to securing the best outcomes for our clients.
Every situation is different too - for some clients being able to leave a bedroom they haven't left for years is a tremendous outcome; for others it is returning to work.
Mandy Pinning
Administrative Support Assistant
My career started in the Court of Protection department of a law firm, where I enjoyed working with Case Managers.
I provide some elderly and vulnerable people with support in their homes, with trips to the hospital, shopping, or sometimes just friendly face to talk to.
I enjoy helping individuals and families in lifechanging situations in order for them to get the most out of life. It feels good to be in the Case Management field again, where I can use my experience and skills, plus learn new ones.
I provide some elderly and vulnerable people with support in their homes, with trips to the hospital, shopping, or sometimes just friendly face to talk to.
I enjoy helping individuals and families in lifechanging situations in order for them to get the most out of life. It feels good to be in the Case Management field again, where I can use my experience and skills, plus learn new ones.
