Karen qualified in 1996 as Registered Learning Disability Nurse. In 1998 she joined Lifeways, a large social care provider where she has remained for the last 27 years. Her diverse role sees her provide Health and Clinical support and guidance to her Lifeways colleagues who in turn support over 4,000 people. Whilst she supports people with their existing health conditions, a large part is also around preventative care and health and wellbeing - both physical and mental. Karen is a keen advocate of seeing the person as an individual rather than a label and supporting them to achieve their full potential. Karen was proud to become a Queens Nurse in 2017. She also received the Queens Nursing Institutes (QNI) long service award in 2020 and the Chief Nurse for Adult Social care Gold Award in 2024. Karen is also the co-chair of the Northeast and Yorkshire Social Care Nursing Advisory Council (SCANCs)