Gwen Clyde-Evans is our award-winning safeguarding lead. She once worked at Rampon High Security Unit where killers Ian Huntley and Beverley Allitt have been held.  Since she joined us she has boosted awareness and been a real safe-guarding stalwart and worked hard with our partners to put safe-guarding on the map. She's collected a Star Award and been nominated for Celebrating Success. Read more about her here.

Hello my name is…

Gwen Clyde-Evans… I am a proud Occupational Therapist, currently working in a non-traditional OT role. I have two children. An eight- month-old son and a daughter, aged seven, who are an absolute delight and keep me on my toes! My other half works at Sainsbury’s as a manager and we are both keen Liverpool FC supporters. I was born and raised in a house on a hill above Hebden Bridge and although I have moved around a bit, I don’t envisage living or working anywhere else but CHFT.

What is your position?  

Named Professional for Safeguarding Adults

Summarise your career background
I started out working at Rampton High Secure hospital and other lesser secure units for mentally disordered offenders. I later relocated to Calderdale working as a Mental Health Practitioner part of the fantastic Intermediate Care team. I have been on two secondments - one to Calderdale’s Council's Safeguarding Adults team (to create a Safeguarding health role) then into a Domestic Abuse Lead role to create the Domestic abuse hub model which was formed I was based at the police station.

What is the highlight of your career so far?

Creating the Domestic Abuse Hub in Calderdale with the police and other agencies. This is the only daily multi-agency risk management meeting in the country twhich has all health agencies represented for victims and children experiencing domestic abuse.

Sum up your role in three words

Original, challenging and statutory

What did you want to be when you were growing up?
I wanted to go into linguistics so I could be an interpreter as I wanted to travel the world and experience different countries and cultures.

Who is your hero/heroine and why?
My Mum - Strong, sensible, proud, independent and a heart of gold.

When you are not at work how do you relax?
I have a very culturally diverse family who I love to spend time with at weekends and in the holidays. With two young children I don’t think the word ‘relax’ features in my life much (neither does “sleep”).

What is your favourite place?

Betws-y-Coed (North Wales), home is where the heart is.

What would people be surprised to know about you?

My real name is actually Elizabeth -  Elizabeth Gwen. I have always been known as Gwen. Indecisive parenting... hence why I have both their surnames too!

Twitter/Facebook?
Both

The NHS is 70 this year. How does that make you feel? 

Very very proud. I believe we keep patients at the centre and provide an excellent service.