Sonia is an experienced third sector CEO, and a leading expert in chronic pain healthcare management across the UK. She has strong experience of developing business models which align with key performance outcomes and service re-design.
Sonia was appointed Visiting Professor at York St John University in 2021 in recognition for her accomplishments in the field of healthcare management and, as such, has been keynote speaker at numerous conferences and is now working with other world leading universities.
Her research initiatives in the field of chronic pain outcomes and raising awareness are on-going. She contributes at national level through Parliamentary committees with the UK and Scottish Governments – advising on future policy to inform future strategic decision making.
We are delighted that Sonia will be running at workshop at our People First Summit in Edinburgh this November titled “Chronic Pain: From complexity to clarity” where she will focus on the issue and reality of chronic pain and how it can affect people’s ability to work.
We caught up with Sonia to see how she’s feeling in the run up to the summit:
Hi Sonia, we are thrilled that you are joining us at the People First Summit in November. Our first and most important question is, how are you doing today?
Not great to be honest! Third sector is becoming an extremely difficult place to work.
As a leader based in the region, what are the main challenges you are facing when it comes to employee wellbeing and mental health?
Organisations not seeing this a priority or indeed not wanting to pay for services.
What strategies have you seen developing over the past 6 months, both internally and externally, that are moving the dial on wellbeing in the workplace?
There has been increased focused on condition-specific strategies as a result of the various laws being introduced. However, whilst this is to be commended, it shouldn’t take the focus of other conditions or overall wellbeing.
Why is employee wellbeing so important to you personally?
It’s part of the ethos of who we are – providing support, training and education for those living with chronic pain. More than that, when you look at the figures for absenteeism due to chronic pain, organisations don’t realise that just by making small changes for their employees can make a huge difference not only to the person living with chronic pain, but also on the organisation’s productivity.
What impact is AI having in your organisation and how are you managing that?
I guess that people are able to access a lot of in-depth information on-line through AI. However, we have to acknowledge that some people can receive mis-information. Where we have the advantage is real people addressing a real problem.
Other than AI, are there any challenges that you are seeing for the first time and how are you addressing them?
Lack/reduction in funding. Lack of expertise in making a significant presence on social media.
What areas do you think employers should be focused on over the next 12 months?
Helping to address chronic pain in the workplace.
How has your organisation been leading the way?
With the development of not only a support tool for employees living and working with chronic pain, but a support tool for employers as well.
Sonia will be running a Chronic Pain workshop at our People First Summit in Edinburgh on November 23. Click Here to visit our website, find out more and book your place to join us.
