Meet the team

Our dedicated team works across the county to listen to local people, gather feedback and help shape better services for everyone. Below you will find details of our core staff team, including contact details. Our work is also supported by volunteers - details of our volunteer team can be found at the bottom of this page. 

Gail McGee

Manager

0191 916 9803

gail@healthwatchcountydurham.co.uk

As Lead Officer at Healthwatch County Durham, Gail oversees the organisation’s day-to-day operations, working closely with staff, volunteers, the independent Board, commissioners, and providers to ensure local people’s voices help shape better services. With a career spanning more than 25 years in mental health and community support, Gail is passionate about empowering people to influence their own care and improving services both for individuals and at a wider system level. She represents County Durham locally and regionally, building partnerships and ensuring Healthwatch remains a strong advocate for residents across the county. Gail values the dedication, expertise, and shared purpose of the Healthwatch team and finds the greatest reward in driving positive change within health and social care. Outside of work, Gail enjoys walking, photography, foraging, fitness training, and dancing to northern soul and reggae music. Inspired by the natural world and the work of David Attenborough, Gail brings enthusiasm, compassion, and a strong commitment to improving lives through her work.

Julia Catherall

Senior Engagement Officer

0191 916 9847 (Direct)  

07761 205705 (Mobile)

julia@healthwatchcountydurham.co.uk 

Julia works closely with local communities, health and care services, and partner organisations to ensure people's voices are heard and used to improve services across County Durham. Having been part of the Healthwatch County Durham team since 2013, Julia enjoys the variety her role brings, from attending meetings and engagement events to providing information, advice, and signposting support to residents. She finds the greatest reward in helping people and seeing projects through from gathering feedback to influencing positive change. Outside of work, Julia enjoys spending time with her family, especially her granddaughters, travelling with her partner, attending live music and theatre events, and making memories with loved ones. Inspired by her late Nanna's independence and resilience, she brings the same commitment and compassion to her work every day.

Lynsey Kim

Senior Engagement Officer

0191 9169833 (Direct)

07761 205639 (Mobile)

lynsey@healthwatchcountydurham.co.uk

Lynsey is passionate about ensuring local people’s voices are heard and used to improve health and social care services. Lynsey’s work focuses on community engagement, including projects with the Deaf community and research into experiences of Adult Social Care, gathering feedback that helps shape recommendations for commissioners and service providers. Drawing on a background in education, social prescribing, and health and wellbeing, Lynsey brings a strong commitment to inclusion, empowerment, and positive outcomes for individuals and communities. Lynsey particularly enjoys meeting people from across County Durham, listening to their experiences, and working alongside a supportive team to drive meaningful change. Outside of work, Lynsey enjoys spending time with her family, exploring the countryside with her dogs, cooking and baking, and visiting the theatre. Inspired by the kindness, resilience, and generosity she sees in others, Lynsey is motivated by the belief that positive change starts with listening to and supporting people.

Chloe Bradbury

Research and Engagement Officer

0191 9169834 (Direct)

chloe@healthwatchcountydurham.co.uk

Chloe's role combines research, data analysis, and community engagement to ensure local people’s experiences help shape and improve health and social care services. Chloe leads on analysing feedback from residents, identifying key themes and trends, and producing evidence-based reports that influence service development and improvement as well as supporting engagement events and projects. Chloe is passionate about listening to people’s experiences, helping them find answers, and ensuring their voices are heard, particularly when they are struggling to navigate complex services. Having previously worked in business travel, she made the decision to pursue a more meaningful career path, returning to university as a mature student to complete a Clinical Psychology degree and graduating with First Class Honours while balancing family life through the challenges of the pandemic. Chloe particularly values the supportive and collaborative culture of the Healthwatch County Durham team and is driven by the belief that sharing lived experiences can create lasting, positive change for communities across County Durham.

Claire Sisterson

Volunteer Coordinator

0191 916 9806 

07761 205660 (Mobile) 

claire@healthwatchcountydurham.co.uk

Claire has spent more than 11 years recruiting, training, supporting, and inspiring volunteers to play an active role in improving local health and care services. Passionate about community involvement, she works closely with volunteers and Enter and View representatives, ensuring they have the skills, confidence, and opportunities to make a meaningful difference across County Durham. Claire finds the greatest reward in seeing volunteers lead work that creates positive change for local people and values the supportive and collaborative culture shared by the team and volunteers. Before joining Healthwatch, she built a career in dance education and movement, teaching across the North East including therapeutic and community programmes. Outside of work, Claire continues her long-standing passion for the performing arts as a singer in a band. Inspired by Belgian choreographer Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker and the expressive power of movement, she brings creativity, energy, and a strong belief in the value of people's voices to everything she does.

Ethan Lowerson-Marshall

Communications and Administrative Coordinator

0191 916 9247

ethan@healthwatchcountydurham.co.uk

Ethan leads on digital communications, marketing, and administrative support to help ensure local people stay informed about health and social care issues. Drawing on a background in journalism, digital marketing, community and youth work, Ethan manages Healthwatch County Durham's website, social media channels, e-newsletter, and promotional materials, creating engaging content that raises awareness and shares the impact of Healthwatch County Durham’s work. Ethan enjoys combining creativity with communication, as well as exploring new digital trends and technologies. Ethan particularly values being part of a collaborative and supportive team, where different skills and perspectives come together to make a positive difference. Outside of work, Ethan enjoys cooking, exploring new places, testing his knowledge at pub quizzes, and unwinding with a good box set. Passionate about storytelling and amplifying local voices, Ethan is inspired by empowering people and providing the space to share their experiences and ensuring stories are heard.

Our volunteers

Healthwatch has an important statutory power that entitles its authorised volunteers to enter and observe health and social care services as they are being delivered. It provides an opportunity to see and hear how consumers experience a service and to collect their views and those of their relatives and carers.

We have 25 enthusiastic and supportive volunteers (including our Board members):

Enter and View Representatives

  • Jean Ross
  • Anne Glynne
  • Mervyn Hockin
  • Andrea Lambell
  • Paul Stokes
  • Rosemary Chessum
  • Paulette Burgess
  • Julie Brown
  • Judi Evans

Engagement Volunteer

  • Pat Nelson
  • Dr Shaikh Saad Hameen
  • Hannah Wright 
  • Amelia Dupuy 

Healthwatcher 

  • Anne Thompson
  • David Boal
  • Pamela Spurrell

Interested in volunteering?

Volunteering with us can help you develop skills, gain experience and make a difference to your community.

We're looking for passionate individuals who want to be proactive and dedicated.  

Find out more