Healthwatch Hertfordshire welcomes five new Trustees

The new Trustees are:

Ryan Heard is a Development Manager for Hertfordshire County Council, focusing on addressing inequalities for residents who are deaf or hard of hearing, visually impaired, or deafblind. He has six years’ experience in a range of project, data and performance roles across Local Government, bringing a strong knowledge and understanding of Local Government and the need to involve residents in every stage of the decision-making process. Ryan works closely with colleagues from across health and social care to ensure residents with a sensory need can play an equal role in society. It is only through a strategic approach involving all partners and residents that these long-standing issues can be tackled.

Amanda Hutchinson has worked in health and social care improvement and regulation for 20 years, before retiring from the Care Quality Commission in March 2024. Her career has included producing national reviews and reports focussing on the care of people with long-term conditions and older people, work to set up Healthwatch England and the Healthwatch network and introducing ratings for health and social care services, including Primary Care. A long-term resident of Hertfordshire, she is strongly committed to improving care and ensuring that health and care organisations understand and listen to the views of people using services and organise care in ways that are accessible and meet their diverse needs.

Enoch Kanagaraj founded One Vision in 2018. He is a psychology graduate and has a wealth of experience working in retail. He is passionate about networking and bringing communities together and believes that together we can work more effectively for the greater good. Enoch’s passion is engaging with local community groups, charities and public services on issues which concern us all – equality, health, welfare, faith and youth. Working together ensures a smart approach to the sharing of resources, information and skills. His collaborative efforts reduce duplication, as well as enhancing each group’s delivery capability. Enoch continues to work diligently in the community to promote the message of being ‘stronger together’ and to strive to gain positive outcomes for those in most need. In addition to his work at One Vision, Enoch is a Community Liaison leader and Stanborough Primary School Governor. He is a family man and values time with his wife and two children.

Sally Orr developed an interest in children’s services when her own children were young. She started her career in the voluntary sector, as an early years tutor and then service development officer, before joining Hertfordshire County Council in 1997. As the Children’s Commissioner, Sally is now responsible for ensuring that services are accessible, good quality, value-for-money and responsive to the needs of children, young people and their families. Her passion for improving outcomes for families facing inequalities is only exceeded by her passion for her own grandchildren, all of whom live in Hertfordshire. Having received treatment for two primary cancers, and as a carer throughout her life, Sally has first-hand experience of health and social care services in Hertfordshire.

Amy Willcox-Smith works as an Assistant Director of Customers and Communities in social housing. She has over 20 years of experience in community engagement roles in the public sector. She is an experienced trustee with a broad understanding of the importance of good governance in public life. She is passionate that statutory and local voluntary services work together to achieve the best results for residents. She is keen to ensure equitable outcomes for marginalised groups and to ensure that learning is implemented from lived experiences. Having lived and worked in South-West Herts for over 20 years, she has a broad stakeholder network.