Our Local Advisory Group

Our members

Ian Guest

Prior to its dissolution, I was a member of the AIDS PAG. From 1999 to 2008, I worked for the Community Health Council.

I've been heavily involved with the community by helping to establish the Barnsley Foodbank Partnership, where I am now the Treasurer, and previously working for Barnsley Citizens Advice. My volunteer experiences have included working at DIAL Barnsley and their Independent Complaints Advocacy Service (ICAS), which assisted people who had problems with health and social care services, and the Refugee Council, which assists asylum seekers and refugees.

I am now retired and caring for my parents. My mother had Parkinson's disease, which progressed to Lewy Bodies Dementia, and my father is elderly and has limited mobility. He also cares for an elderly lady with learning disabilities who has difficulty accessing formal support services.

I regularly interact with the LGBT+ community and am a member of the LGBT+ forum.

Claire Wilcockson

I have 36 years of devoted service as a retired NHS nurse, most of which was spent in Nottinghamshire hospitals. I wanted to volunteer and support Healthwatch Barnsley by applying my experience.

I'm really passionate about caring for the elderly and those with dementia. I use my work experience to support better social and healthcare services. My own experience with cancer has strengthened my compassion and dedication to helping those dealing with medical issues.

I am motivated by a desire to give back to the community, actively contributing to making everyone's voice heard and improving the standard of care and accessibility for everyone.

Andy Simms

I have worked in and around the criminal justice system and Public Health with a focus on drug and alcohol misuse. In my present work, I am attached to sexual health services looking at ways to educate young people with positive and healthy relationships messaging linking back to alcohol and substance misuse. During my work I have worked in areas of deprivation, developing an interest in health inequalities and the negative impact on life expectancy. 

I have lived in Barnsley all my life; however, I have not always worked in the Barnsley area but within neighbouring towns. I have worked in hard-to-reach communities in other areas receiving national recognition for it. Having now turned sixty I thought it was about time I did some work in my hometown.