Rachel Allen

Experience

• 

  Wiltshire Times

  Mar 2009 - May 2011

  Senior reporter
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  The Cambridge News

  May 2011 - May 2013

  Responsible for all health news and features for the Cambridge News catchment area which included Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Hinchingbrooke Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.This role encompassed working with CUH on weekly features covering different sub-specialties as well as news articles regarding patient care and health-related stories. Initially joined Cambridge News as Senior Reporter and continued with this role until I left the organisation in May 2013. I continued to cover mainstream regional news including major events, court hearings, human interest stories and features while working as the paper's Health Correspondent from 2011 to 2013.

  • Health correspondent

    Sept 2011 - May 2013

  • Senior reporter

    May 2011 - May 2013
• 

  Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

  May 2013 - Jan 2016

  Responsible for developing and implementing all internal and external communications at Papworth Hospital and supporting the Head of Corporate Services. The role is extremely varied and requires a strong capability to oversee numerous projects simultaneously. It involves every aspect of communication and engagement with stakeholders from producing internal and external publications and managing filming projects to working as part of a strong Corporate Services team to promote and deliver conferences and stakeholder engagement events.Responsible, as part of a team, for implementing internal and external communications surrounding the move to the New Papworth Hospital in Cambridge. This involves (but is not restricted to) delivering effective and focused staff and stakeholder engagement, media coverage and public engagement with events and regular updates using a variety of communications tools including internal mechanisms, social media and media work as the historic project evolves.Notable projects include:- Organising the successful unveiling of a state-of-the-art CT scanner attended by Trust stakeholders, board members, external partners and a Member of Parliament.- Arranging and overseeing numerous successful media projects with major partners including BBC and ITV.- Overseeing a team project to create a website complete with tailored videos, which involved co-ordinating staff, patients and their families to convey the right message to young adults transitioning to adult services at Papworth Hospital. - Overseeing the production of tailored publications for staff, patients and Foundation Trust Members.- Managing numerous filming projects in partnership with BBC, ITV, CH4, CH5 and independent production companies. The majority of these projects centre around the coverage of major heart and lung surgery within theatres. Show less

  • Senior Media and Communications Specialist

    Oct 2014 - Jan 2016

  • Media and Communications Specialist

    May 2013 - Sept 2014
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  Alzheimer's Research UK

  Jan 2016 - now

  Communications Manager - Supporters & Families

  Responsible for managing the Supporters & Families team at Alzheimer's Research UK working closely with teams across the organisation to bring their campaigns and products to life by sharing people's lived experience of dementia.Maximising cross-sell opportunities for supporters to share their experiences in a variety of ways across the organisation while enhancing supporter stewardship and engagement. Empowering colleagues to gather and share the stories of specific supporter groups (such as campaigners and pledgers) to further their work.Delivering high-quality content from blogs to bespoke films and liaising with both national and regional media to share inspirational stories from fundraisers and volunteers.Proud to be part of the UK's leading dementia research charity, striving to change the status quo for millions impacted by dementia. Show less