Natalie Royston

I am People Participation Facilitator at the Academy, and my role is to work across the Trust to promote, support and facilitate the involvement of patients, people and the community in research and improvement. Our ultimate aim is to ensure that all Solent NHS teams work with their patients and the community to deliver the best possible care.

My responsibilities

• To champion the patient, service user and community voice in all areas of improvement

• To liaise, encourage and work alongside clinical and support staff to facilitate a culture of research, improvement, audit, evaluation, and patient/ people participation.

• Support our patient representatives’ members, Side-by-Side in working in partnership with the Academy. 

My background

Before joining the Academy and the NHS I worked at a local primary school in Portsmouth as a classroom teacher and year group leader. My role involved designing and delivering an exciting curriculum that challenged and motivated the children to want to learn. I was also the school’s English as an Addition Language (EAL) coordinator working in partnership with Ethnic Minority Achievement Services in Portsmouth. Diversity and Inclusion was a real passion of mine, it was important that every child, regardless of their background, language, physical or learning need, had access to the highest quality education. I loved my job, but after 8 years decided it was time to try my hand at something new. 

Why I love my job

I love my job because every day is different. I get to meet and work with many different patients and colleagues. Coming from a non-clinical background, I get a real sense of achievement from championing patient voice and ensuring their views and experiences are heard. 

More about me

When not at a work I am a busy Mum of twin boys. Being a mum of young children means our house is always noisy and hectic. We spend a lot of time outside exploring and are never far away from a park!