Ambassador Biographies
Ali Ayliffe-Jessup
Nursing Associate Ambassador
Ali qualified as a Nursing Associate in January 2024. Ali has a BEd (Hons) degree in teaching and was a reception teacher for 13 years. After raising two children, Ali started working at Southwell Medical Centre and has been there for twelve years training as a Health Care Assistant during that time. The Nursing Associate Apprenticeship route was an ideal opportunity to develop her career and she began it in January 2022.
Ali is keen to promote the Nursing Associate role as a career pathway in Nursing and how the role can enhance primary care workforces. Ali promotes the benefits of health lifestyle choices to her patients and keeps active herself by walking, running and circuits classes.
Simran Bhardwaj
Physician Associate Ambassador
Simran has been a qualified Physician Associate since 2021, first completing a four-year integrated BSc Human Biology degree then progressing onto a two-year MSc Physician Associate Studies in 2021 at De Montfort University. Simran is part of Nottingham City GP Alliance where she initially enrolled and completed the preceptorship programme and is now situated in Bestwood and Sherwood PCN (PCN 5) working across multiple practises as a PA. She has since started a social media page on TikTok @PAthesimway where she shares her experiences from being a student all the way through to a working qualified PA and regularly engages with the PA/PA student community answering questions and offering advice. Many students have found this a valuable way to get an insight into the world of being a PA and what it entails.
Simran is a keen PA role model and helping pave the future for PAs, spreading awareness and creating opportunities. Please drop her an email or message on social media for further information.
Elizabeth Boaheng
Pharmacy Team Ambassador
Elizabeth is a PCN Clinical Pharmacist. She has a Master of Pharmacy degree and has been a qualified pharmacist since 2016. She has extensive experience in community pharmacy having worked for one of the largest community pharmacy chains in the country for almost 5 years. She supported the implementation of new services and training of the pharmacy team. She also has experience in hospital pharmacy and has now been in Primary Care for almost 3 years.
She enjoys all things pharmacy and is passionate about pharmacy team education and training. Outside of work, she loves to read and is currently discovering the beauty of audio books, socialising with friends and spending quality family time.
Laura Bryden
First Contact Practitioner / AHP Ambassador
Laura is one of two First Contact Practitioner / AHP Ambassadors to join our ARRS Ambassadors team. She qualified as a Physiotherapist in 2005. Initially working as a rotational Physiotherapist in a large NHS hospital and later moving to specialise in musculoskeletal health as a Physiotherapist employed by the military. In 2015, she took some time out to study for an MSc and on completion she took a job as a trainee Extended Scope Practitioner. After five years of working in a musculoskeletal interim triage service, she wanted a change and so moved to work as First Contact Practitioner (FCP) in primary care, employed by PICS. A job she has learnt to really enjoy. When she is not at work, she tries to stay fit and calm with running and yoga.
Desi Gillespie
First Contact Practitioner / AHP Ambassador
Desi is one of two First Contact Practitioner / AHP Ambassadors to join our ARRS Ambassadors team. In her Primary Care role, Desi currently works as a First Contact Physiotherapist (FCP) working towards Advanced Clinical Practitioner – MSK via the NHS England e-Portfolio route. Within her Occupational Therapist (OT) clinical lead role, she supports all OTs, physical and mental, through the NHS England FCP Roadmap. She leads the recruitment, line-management and development of FCP Mental Health OTs in Primary Care including starting Band 6 Developmental posts.
She has a BSc(Hons), MSc Sports and Exercise Medicine, MSK Peripheral Joint Injector, has completed the FCP Roadmap, and is a Roadmap Supervisor. She has experience working in elite sport including England Netball, GB Paralympic Shooting, alongside working in Primary Care.
Charlotte McIvor
Digital, Business and Transformation Manager Ambassador
Darcie Parry
Care Coordinator Ambassador
Care Co-Ordinator Ambassador focusing on spreading awareness of the Care Co-Ordinator role. She aims to promote the benefits/outcomes available if the role is utilised correctly, training/development opportunities and the career pathways for Care Co-Ordinators.
She aims to develop a Peer Support Network so that Care Co-Ordinators can have a platform to talk about their roles and the opportunities they can access or promote in their PCNs.
Marcella Tarantini
Social Prescribing Link Worker Ambassador
Marcella is our Social Prescribing Link Worker (SPLW) Ambassador. Alongside this, she is a SPLW in Bestwood and Sherwood PCN, who connects patients with the community to improve their wellbeing, adopting a holistic approach. With compassion, active listening, and a non-judgmental attitude, she empowers patients to take ownership of their health. She contributes jointly with other health professionals to integrate and effectively address patients’ medical and non-medical issues.
Marcella has a Bsc in Psychology, MSc in Health Psychology and in the past years, she has gained experience working with vulnerable individuals, creating personalised care plans to determine their needs and goals, and advocating on their behalf to ensure they received tailored support.