To celebrate International Women’s Day 2022, we’ve spoken to some of the fabulous women that work at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust that are inspiring future generations.
Katie Lister is Head of Communications at Airedale. Keep reading to find out about Katie’s role, her career to date, and some great advice.
What is your role and how did you get into the field?
I am the Trust’s Head of Communications.
I fell into communications, really. I did a degree in German and Management Studies at Leeds University and then, casting around for a graduate job in the early 90s, ended up working for Ernst & Young, the auditors/consultants as a sales administrator. Eventually I applied for a job as communications officer at Eastern Wakefield PCT, based in Castleford, and to my huge surprise I got it. Since then I’ve worked in comms jobs for Wakefield PCT, NHS England in Leeds and the short-lived Yorkshire & Humber Commissioning Support Unit in Bradford, before joining Airedale in 2016.
I’ve always loved writing, and words (I’m an avid reader), and how organisations work, and getting involved in stuff -and talking! – so communications/PR is the perfect job for me.
How would you describe your role?
To communicate things to people! ‘People’ being Airedale staff and, externally, our local communities, our partner organisations, MPs, the media. It involves a lot of writing and working out the best way to get our messages to people.
Have you faced any barriers in your career due to being a woman?
I have always had great bosses who have supported their teams to flourish. That said, there was a world of difference between working in the 90s and working in these much more enlightened times. Women were still perceived as the ones who would sort the drinks in meetings, the ones who would arrange the sandwiches, and often wouldn’t be invited to client social events (this was pre-NHS) as they tended to be very blokey.
Who are the women that have inspired you?
My group of girlfriends, every day. We’ve all been through some tough stuff and they are amazing.
Two writers whose books I have loved from childhood also had really interesting stories to tell outside their writing and both were pioneers: Laura Ingalls Wilder (quite literally a pioneer) and Louisa May Alcott.
Also my mum (who died a couple of years ago) my sister, Penny and my 6-year old niece, Ada. Strong women, all three!
How important is it for women to lift each other up and what does that mean to you?
Don’t climb the ladder and pull it up behind you: help other women to develop and progress.
What is the most powerful advice that you’ve been given?
Worry about the things you can influence, not those you can’t. I just wish I could take that advice at 3am when my brain’s whirring!
If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would that be?
Life can be tough at times, but with good friends you’ll be OK. And don’t use a diffuser on your hair, you fool.
What is the most important message that you would send to young women thinking about their careers?
Consider the NHS: it’s a great place to work. From a communications/PR perspective you’ll never get a more diverse job, and it’s one that really makes a difference.
We’re lucky in West Yorkshire to have some of the big national agencies on our doorstep in Leeds, and to have some fantastic system working opportunities. Combine that with a good approach to flexible working and I would say that it’s a great time for women to work in the NHS. But you’ve got to get out there and make connections – don’t expect it to fall in your lap. Go forth and network!
What’s the best thing about being a woman?
Laughing until my sides ache with my girlfriends and sister.
Amy Irvine is a communications assistant at Airedale. Read on to find out about how Amy began her role in the NHS and her great advice about beginning your career.
What is your role and how did you get into the field?
Communications Assistant at Airedale Hospital.
I studied magazine Journalism for my master’s degree at university and knew I wanted to go into press/communications but always thought it would be for books/magazines. During the pandemic, I worked at a GP practice and then a vaccination centre and realised I loved working within the NHS. When I saw this job role, I thought it was perfect as I’d still be working within the NHS but doing something that was more in line with what I studied.
How would you describe your role?
Internal and external comms. Creating content for social media, press releases, website and newsletters for staff. The role changes every day, depending on what comes into the inbox/what’s on social media/who rings etc.
Have you faced any barriers in your career due to being a woman?
In one role, even though we were equal in roles/experience etc, a lot of tasks were passed through a male colleague to me when we first started. I often felt like I wasn’t seen as his equal and he spoke on my behalf on a few occasions. After a few months, people saw that I worked hard and started coming to me to directly and valued my opinion.
Working in one bar I asked my manager why they never asked me to go into the cellar to get bottles/ice etc or why they asked other male colleagues who were busy when I was free and they replied, “I just assumed you’d be scared of the dark and spiders like the rest of the girls, so I always ask the lads to do it.”
Who are the women that have inspired you?
My mum is probably my biggest inspiration, she faced a lot of hardship in her life but was determined to do everything independently and with a laugh.
How important is it for women to lift each other up and what does that mean to you?
Extremely important, if women are constantly seen to be knocking each other down, why would anyone else want to support us.
If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would that be?
Ask yourself if it’s really that important/worth losing sleep over.
What is the most important message that you would send to young women thinking about their careers?
Don’t dwell on things, if you didn’t get the job that you interviewed for or you’ve not heard back from a potential employer, it’s not the end of the world. There’s a reason you haven’t got it and the perfect job is out there for you somewhere else.
What’s the best thing about being a woman?
It’s superficial but my favourite thing is I think you have more freedom to change yourself as a women e.g. if you get bored of having dark hair, you can go out and dye it blue or blonde the next day without any questions being asked. The same goes for clothes, you have so much opportunity to change and reinvent yourself.
