Yvonne Probert - CEO, Tell Us North
Tell Us North services include Healthwatch Newcastle and Healthwatch Gateshead, which work to ensure social care and health commissioners and providers listen to local communities to continuously improve services.
Here she tells us about her weekends…
Do you ever have to work weekends?
Yes, I sometimes work weekends as being a community business we are often out and about at events like Pride and MELA, so it’s a team effort and as CEO I am hands on too.
Are most weekends the same?
No weekend is the same for me, as my life is busy as it’s filled with family, friends and volunteering, so every day is very different. Some weekends I can be found volunteering on the reception desk at the Birtley Community Pool, or out with friends for a cuppa, cake and catch up, or in my kayak as an RLSS open water lifeguard providing water safety at swimming events like triathlons or running trail races with my club buddies. Every day is different, bringing fresh challenges, an opportunity to meet interesting people and new chances to grow.
Do you find it hard to switch off?
I manage to switch between work and play quite easily but having time to myself to go to the gym, or swim or run helps me to gather my thoughts and calms me so I unwind and relax.
What do you do at a weekend which you can’t fit in through the week?
Deadlines for reports and contract bids mean that I need to do some work at weekends to make sure we get things done on time. I don’t mind this as work are flexible and they give me time during the week to enable me to volunteer so it is give and take which is good for me.
Morning exercise or a recovery lie in?
Exercise for me – I like to go to the gym, run or swim when I have free time as it gives me time to clear my head and helps me relax. Being the Chair of Birtley Community Pool, as well as being a volunteer RLSS Open Water Lifeguard I am naturally a busy person, so I am up and about early at weekends enjoying the water both indoors and outdoors.
Big night out or a night in the house?
I like both – quality time with friends out and about but also staying at home chilling is great too.
Do you watch or play sport at a weekend?
I do lots of sport on a weekend as I am a keen swimmer and runner.
Where do you like to eat out at on a weekend?
I am active person, so my free time is spent doing activities and sports, but I also like meeting friends for food too. The weekend as down time from work and having quality time with loved ones is important to me!
How important is the weekend to you?
Weekends are very important to me as they are my play time and when I enjoy myself, as well as a time to be with people who share my interests.
What’s the best thing about weekends?
For me the best thing about weekends is spending time with people and doing enjoyable things with likeminded folk.
Of a weekend, you’ll usually find me most happy..?
Being with people, having fun, sharing adventures/experiences and laughing together.
www.tellusnorth.org.uk