Heather Wright

Heather Wright

Group Head of Health & Safety for The Lifeways Group

Responsible for the strategic and operational delivery of Health and Safety across the group. The group supports approximately 5000 individuals across the UK and employs around 10,000 team members.

I have worked in the care sector for 20 years. Initially, I worked on the operational delivery side of Health and Social care in a numerous roles including support worker and Registered Manager with CQC.  In 2015 I made the decision I wanted to transition from operational delivery into Health & Safety. I realised my knowledge and experience operationally coupled with H&S would be beneficial to inform and implement Health & Safety policies, procedures and the overarching strategy in an achievable and realistic manner in a sector where guidance is hard to come by.

When working operationally I was aware of NASHiCS and the work they carried out and supported, we were also members as an organisation. Initially I was not aware of the extent they support others in seeking and clarifying the sector specific guidance and helping others it for implementation, but since working within the H&S function I took an active role in attending events and various seminars and the access to the wealth of knowledge and support from other professional in the sector has been invaluable.

I joined the National Executive because not only has it been a solid resource for me in my role at Lifeways, but I can also see the important benefits that it has for other providers and the sector as a whole. Health and Safety knowledge and support should be accessible to everyone, so I believe this is a way I can assist others to ensure they deliver high standards of Health and Safety to protect themselves and others that come into contact with the work they carry out in the sector.