Hear from our staff in Public Health roles

Anu Shaikh, Public Health Manager (Evidence and Intelligence Team) tell us what inspired her to being a career in public health and what her role involves.

"I have a strong passion for harnessing the power of data, and working to enhance innovation in health and social care. My focus is on promoting digital technologies to help address the challenges faced by people using services and making services more efficient by using the right data and insight products. 

I initially joined Bedford Borough because I had a positive impression of the people I met during the interview. I found the team to be supportive, and there were plenty of opportunities for career development. The role allowed me to make a meaningful difference in the local community where I live. Additionally, it offered me flexible working options, which helped me maintain a healthy work-life balance.

As a Public Health Manager for the Evidence and Intelligence team. I lead a team of analysts who all have great analytical and interpretation skills. I lead on the delivery and dissemination of public health evidence, intelligence and evaluation, working with multiple stakeholders across local authority and health services.  

Anu says that while the most challenging part of her role is the every growing volume of data, ensuring the right data is processed and meaningful insight is provided to stakeholders in a timely manner, it come with its rewards. "The rewarding part of my role is building connections, telling data stories, and always learning through our various projects. This makes for a challenging but rewarding journey, and I have a good professional network as well as a great team to work with! 

Teena's career began as a station clerk for Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue and it was the role of home fire safety advisor that led her to her current role as it involved being out in the community visiting residents. She recalls: "I didn’t realise at that point how much working within the community, engaging with, and seeing the changes for the better that could be made. That was then when I knew this was where I wanted to be".

Teena describes how varied her role is: "A typical day would consist of visiting my groups, hubs, welcome spaces within my wards of Kempston and Queens Park. I take information including leaflets on our topics of health and wellbeing – topics include vaccinations, mental health, financial health, stop smoking, and healthy weight. I am continuously building on relationships with these communities along with pharmacies, councillors, shops, and faith leaders. In addition to providing information on health and wellbeing, we can signpost and refer individuals to many of the services available within the Borough." 

The most challenging aspect of Teena's role is striving to continue breaking down the barriers caused by inequality which are faced by so many people, and overcoming these by continuing to build on our relationships, as well as continuing to be seen as a service that can be trusted to aid and be knowledgeable in knowing how to get them the help they need".

The rewards are huge though: "Seeing how happy people can be when they have shared with me the difficulties they have faced and I have been able to provide information, signposted or referred them to a relevant service, and they have found that they are able and can make changes to improve their life and health".

Teena praises the development, skills and learning she has received: "Bedford Borough Council provides regular face-to-face update sessions along with one-to-ones which are a chance for both employer and employee to review performance and to plan for future performance development. Bedford Borough Council has an excellent training programme, BBOLT, which has both mandatory training and opportunities for staff to personally develop, which is encouraged. I thoroughly enjoy working for Bedford Borough Council and with the communities of Bedford. Bedford Borough Council is a progressive council, supportive of staff, and encourages personal development, along with competitive salaries and great benefits."

And she's got no plans to leave any time soon: "I would very much like to remain with Bedford Borough Council and continue working possibly within the capacity of engaging with, being involved, and nurturing the established relationships between the Council and the diverse communities that we are so lucky to have. Bedford Borough Council is an employer that retains their staff and people including myself really enjoy working for them. Working for local government is rewarding with a lot of job satisfaction."