Meet the Team - Victoria Dixon
Victoria has worked with Healthwatch County Durham since May 2023.
What is your job role and in general what does that entail?
My job title is Research and Communications officer which means I work a lot on designing posters, working on the website and creating posts for social media. I bring together the e-Bulletin that goes out each month and assist the team in doing research around the work they are doing and some admin tasks for the team. I go along to events with my colleagues to take photos to document what we have been doing.
What does a usual work day look like to you?
Every day is usually different, which I like because I enjoy variety. At the end of the month I usually have my head down working on the e-Bulletin, which goes out at the start of the month. I work both from home and from the office. Sometimes I am taking minutes in our team meetings or board meetings, out and about with the engagement team, or working on posts for social media channels and researching what campaigns are happening and health and social care news to share with the team.
What is the most exciting/rewarding part of your job?
I think there are lots of rewarding parts of my job, but when I make graphics, posters etc for the team and they like it, it’s nice to see the work I have done being shared with the public and other organisations. It is also very rewarding to see how much our team has helped the people of County Durham and to know that we can make a difference and help people get the services they need.
What is your favourite thing about working for Healthwatch County Durham?
My favourite thing about working here has got to be the team. It is quite a small team of 8 people but everyone is so unique and individual and I feel like I can be myself around them! They are a super friendly bunch and ever since I started I felt comfortable! Even when I ask them to pose for photos or for random requests they are accommodating and happy to accommodate, which is great.
After work/on a weekend, how do you like to relax? What are your hobbies?
I quite enjoy getting out and being active. I am on a netball team in a friendly league, which is a lot of fun. I go to Zumba, which is always a laugh and a great chance to move my body (even if I might look a little awkward sometimes!). I also love getting out for walks with my sisters and their dogs. I absolutely love nature and I feel like being out in the fresh air and amongst the trees brings me so much peace! Animals also make me so happy. I have a cat, Hazel who I adopted almost a year ago, who loves to play fetch and brings me her cat toys to play with, and my sisters also have dogs, whom I really love. Every time I see them they run over to me and give me so many cuddles! I also spend time with my niece and nephews who bring out the child in me!
What jobs have you done in the past?
My first role was a lifeguard, which then grew into a lot of leisure jobs, including swimming teacher and receptionist. I then went on to become a support worker in a supported living house with 3 people. This was very rewarding and it was lovely building up relationships with the service users. It was also through the pandemic which introduced different challenges. I then started working at the Pioneering Care Centre as a Research Officer for 2 years and I really enjoyed getting out into the community to find out their views on various topics. I then began my role at Healthwatch County Durham as a Research and Communications Officer.
Finally, what/who inspires you?
In general I am inspired by all the women who make a difference and stand out in what sometimes can feel like a man’s world. Those who have a family but also a career. People who go out of their way to help people and especially who work in the charity sector.
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