An interview with Jo Myers, the newest member of the Children’s Burns Trust team

Following the retirement of Alison Tweddle, we are thrilled to welcome Jo Myers to the role of Operations Manager. With her background in nursing in the burns and plastics field, Jo brings a wealth and experience to the Children’s Burns Trust and she kindly answered a few questions ahead of her formal arrival in December 2021 so that we can all get to know her more.

Tell us a little about yourself?

I am known as Jo to all of my friends and work colleagues.  Only my mum and my brother call me Joanne. 

I live near Billericay in Essex with my partner Brian and my very old Staffie, Maya. I have a son, James who lives nearby with his partner Amelia.

Tell us a little about your career?

I trained as a nurse at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham and after qualifying in 1985, I moved to Essex and got a job at the local hospital, St Andrews centre for Burns and Plastic surgery.

This started my fabulous career in burns and plastic surgery, and I worked in all areas of the speciality, including short spells at Stevenage and Great Ormond Street, until my retirement as Associate Director of Nursing in February 2021.

I am a dual qualified nurse and have worked half my career in adult care and half my career with children and young people. 

How did you know about Children’s Burns Trust?

I was the sister on the children’s burns ward for a number of years before moving into the post of matron for the burns service and it was during this time that we reached out to Children’s Burns Trust for support for some of our families.  I met Alison at a number of British Burn Association events and through my role as network nurse for the London and South East burn network.

What was your favourite role?

Definitely the role of ward sister. 

Being able to lead and develop a team of staff and look after patients was so rewarding.

What are your hobbies?

I love walking and being out in the fresh air, although I also enjoy yoga, knitting, sewing and being curled up in front of a film.

What is your greatest achievement?

Walking Wainwrights coast to coast in 2012.

What are you most looking forward to about working with Children’s Burns Trust?

I am looking forward to continuing the amazing work that Alison has achieved in the role and having the opportunity to use my experience and knowledge of working with patients with a burns injury to be able to promote the objectives of the charity; prevention, rehabilitation and support.

Final words

It feels serendipitous that I have the opportunity to take over from Alison, but I know I’ve got big shoes to fill.   As those that know me would say, I love a new challenge.