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Gemma Allen (she/her)

@gemmaallen.bsky.social
1.2K followers 1.2K following 282 posts

Hospice Director. Co-founder of No Barriers Here. Independent Consultant. Ally 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 #equity #research #education #coproduction #leadership #systemchange #hapc www.nobarriershere.org

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Gemma Allen (she/her) @gemmaallen.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
A tricky journey to publication, particularly for those impacted by social & political events during the project. Adopting a coproduced approach ensured inclusion of voices often missing from #peolc discussion - grateful to everyone who contributed their time, energy & expertise to this study 🙏🏽
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Gemma Allen (she/her) @gemmaallen.bsky.social · 25/04/2026
A visit to @sthelenahospice.bsky.social this week to deliver @nobarriershere.bsky.social facilitator training to colleagues working in Colchester & neighbouring communities. Interested in becoming a facilitator? Our next available date is 24/09 or contact us for bespoke delivery 😊 #PEoLC
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Gemma Allen (she/her) @gemmaallen.bsky.social · 18/04/2026
After a 50hr+ week, I’m finally relaxing! It’s the start of the season 🏏 The sun is out (for now), I’m settled with a new book and sheep are bleating away in the next field 🐑 Perfect April day but roll on suncream season 😆
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Gemma Allen (she/her) @gemmaallen.bsky.social · 28/03/2026
Pleased to share this paper from @victstuproject.bsky.social team 🔍 What does it really take to make public engagement & involvement activities in research meaningful, rather than tokenistic? Grateful to have been part of an amazing team on this study. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Getting It Out There: Reflections on the Process and Impact of Public Engagement Activities in a Study on End‐of‐Life Care Planning With People With Intellectual Disabilities
Introduction Many tools and interventions developed from research projects are not properly implemented in health and social care practice. Engaging with stakeholders is an important part of the imp...
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No Barriers Here @nobarriershere.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
We’re delighted to be at the @pccongress.bsky.social in Brighton Visit @jedjerwood.bsky.social & @sharonhudson.bsky.social in the Art Exhibition to learn about No Barriers Here, the work we’re doing & view our exhibit curated by The No Barriers Here Artists Collaborative. #peolc #pcc2026
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Gemma Allen (she/her) @gemmaallen.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
You know you work in a hospice at Christmas when you bump into ‘Santa Paws’ in reception arriving on his sleigh bed! 🥰 #PetTherapy #Hospice
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fruitsoftheforest.bsky.social @fruitsoftheforest.bsky.social · 01/12/2025
Please take a listen to this amazing song written by my friend @susywallmusic.bsky.social All proceeds going to @mshospice.bsky.social ditto.fm/one_day_in_d...
ditto.fm
One Day in December
Listen to One Day in December
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Gemma Allen (she/her) @gemmaallen.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
Yesterday’s view from my hotel in Leith and today’s from Liverpool. Feeling ready and inspired for day one of the @hospiceuk.bsky.social Conference. #HUK2025
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Gemma Allen (she/her) @gemmaallen.bsky.social · 23/11/2025
All packed ready to head up to Edinburgh later today🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Looking forward to delivering @nobarriershere.bsky.social training with @jedjerwood.bsky.social in Leith tomorrow. Thank you to Helen MacGregor at @mariecurieuk.bsky.social & @goodlifedeathgrief.bsky.social for the invitation & support. 1/2
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No Barriers Here @nobarriershere.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
"And there it was again, the messy table: glue sticks, paper, laughter, tears, and the brave beauty of people sharing what matters most. These workshops are never tidy, but they are always real." A blog from Bridget Corneil, a No Barriers Here facilitator 🇨🇦 www.nobarriershere.org/messy-table-...
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Gemma Allen (she/her) @gemmaallen.bsky.social · 30/10/2025
This report on the financial sustainability of adult hospices in England paints a sobering but not an unexpected picture. It highlights the persistent inequities in access to #palliative and #EoLc across the country…a postcode lottery that continues to fail too many people.
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Gemma Allen (she/her) @gemmaallen.bsky.social · 25/10/2025
Saturday morning spent writing conference abstracts (last-minute deadline panic) but enjoyable and reflective. 6 months in and my new role has been both challenging and rewarding. It has presented opportunities to learn and grow, and I’m grateful for the experiences, lessons and trust placed in me.
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Gemma Allen (she/her) @gemmaallen.bsky.social · 08/09/2025
After the pause of the weekend, stepping into a new week is a chance to carry forward what matters most (instead of what is loudest) and think about the week ahead. Mondays can often feel like a sprint 🏃‍♀️ and rushing through a to-do list, so today I’m reminding myself where to spend my energy!
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Gemma Allen (she/her) @gemmaallen.bsky.social · 04/09/2025
Yesterday, I received my toolkit from the @victstuproject.bsky.social It was a privilege to be part of this study & see the publication of these resources. These are now in place with our hospice Day Service, IPU & Community Engagement teams to support accessible #EoLC planning conversations 1/2
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Good Life, Good Death, Good Grief @goodlifedeathgrief.bsky.social · 04/09/2025
No Barriers Here' Facilitator Training shares arts-based methods and less verbal approaches to open up meaningful conversations. It is designed to help you support more people to be included, heard and supported when planning for their future care. www.nobarriershere.org/facilitator-...
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Gemma Allen (she/her) @gemmaallen.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
Join me & @jedjerwood.bsky.social for @nobarriershere.bsky.social Facilitator Training - Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 📆 Monday 24th November ⏰ 09:30 - 16:30 📌 Edinburgh, EH6 7EZ Register: www.nobarriershere.org/facilitator-... @mariecurieuk.bsky.social @goodlifedeathgrief.bsky.social @mshospice.bsky.social
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Gemma Allen (she/her) @gemmaallen.bsky.social · 27/08/2025
Explore how arts-based approaches can transform advance/future care planning with people who experience barriers to accessing #palliativecare Join us for @nobarriershere.bsky.social Facilitator Training on Thursday 16th October at The Mary Stevens Hospice www.nobarriershere.org/facilitator-...
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Gemma Allen (she/her) @gemmaallen.bsky.social · 03/08/2025
Beautiful views over Staffordshire for Sunday cricket game, with the bonus of plum trees ripe for scrumping!
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Gemma Allen (she/her) @gemmaallen.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
A day of joy and celebrations! I’m immensely proud of this book chapter, our co-authors and everything that @nobarriershere.bsky.social stands for.
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Dr Jed Jerwood (PhD) @jedjerwood.bsky.social · 14/07/2025
Really pleased to share our methods paper - C-CARE the methodology underpinning No Barriers Here journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
journals.sagepub.com
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
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Gemma Allen (she/her) @gemmaallen.bsky.social · 14/07/2025
🚨 New paper alert! 🚨 I’m incredibly proud to share our publication in #SageJournals @ijqmonline.bsky.social: C-CARE: An Arts-Based, Co-Produced Research Methodology for Understanding and Addressing Inequalities in Healthcare. 🔗 journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/... @jedjerwood.bsky.social
journals.sagepub.com
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
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Gemma Allen (she/her) @gemmaallen.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
A powerful film by @dvcdudley.bsky.social & Shout Out Academy. Highlighting the voices too often ignored, it tells the stories of people who were failed by healthcare systems & professionals. People whose needs were not heard & whose experiences were dismissed. 1/2 youtu.be/0B-GNbxZSds
youtu.be
22 strangers with one thing in common
YouTube video by Sarah Offley
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Gemma Allen (she/her) @gemmaallen.bsky.social · 20/06/2025
As the Bill moves to the House of Lords, I hope it prompts debate & action to safeguard our most vulnerable. Everyone, regardless of the choices they make, must be able to access the highest standard of #EoLC. To achieve this palliative care must be increased, equitable & adequately funded.
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Gemma Allen (she/her) @gemmaallen.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
Calling all Scottish #palliative & #healthcare colleagues 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 We’ve been approached to deliver No Barriers Here Facilitator Training in Scotland later this year (likely November) & inviting expressions of interest Please email: gemma.allen@marystevenshospice.co.uk to be added to the mailing list
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Gemma Allen (she/her) @gemmaallen.bsky.social · 13/06/2025
This bill raises serious concerns as it hasn’t done enough to protect the most marginalised in our society. Regardless of your personal stance, we all have a duty to centre those most at risk. We must ask: Who gets protected? Who gets forgotten? www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...
politicshome.com
I consulted marginalised groups on the assisted dying bill – there is fear
The Terminally Ill Adults Bill offers a choice to a small but important group of people who want the option of assisted dying.
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Gemma Allen (she/her) @gemmaallen.bsky.social · 11/06/2025
Sometimes you need to take a moment out of a busy day to just sit quietly for a few minutes. I’m in my happy place in the garden but I really wish you could smell my roses! 🌹
A bright pink David Austin rose in full bloom
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Gemma Allen (she/her) @gemmaallen.bsky.social · 08/06/2025
While our sons were off enjoying Sam Fender (not jealous at all 🤣😬), my husband and I embraced our inner tourists exploring our capital city. Always find something to rediscover in London 🇬🇧
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Gemma Allen (she/her) @gemmaallen.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
What does meaningful LGBTQ+ allyship look like? 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ 🌈 Listen to lived experiences without judgment 🌈 Use inclusive language 🌈 Respect pronouns and share own pronouns 🌈 Challenge discrimination and call it out when you see it 🌈 Educate yourself 🌈 Recognise and celebrate diversity 1/2
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No Barriers Here @nobarriershere.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
It’s #PrideMonth & we’re sharing our resource ‘It’s more than rainbows in receptions’ - Working with LGBTQ+ People in Palliative and End of Life Care. Inclusive and accessible #PEoLC care should be a right - not a privilege Illustration:@casshm.bsky.social www.nobarriershere.org/wp-content/u...
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Gemma Allen (she/her) @gemmaallen.bsky.social · 01/06/2025
A full weekend in the garden, hands deep in soil! The new raised bed is already whispering promises of what’s to come and with incense curling through the air, both the cat & I have found our calm (one of us far more effortlessly 😆) Some days don’t need grand gestures…just some time & space 🌿
A raised garden bed with pink, purple and white flowers. There’s a mirror leaning up against a fence, a moon gazing hare ornament and pink roses growing up a trellis. A small tabby cat who is curled up asleep on a brightly patterned garden cushion and bench. A terracotta pot with French lavender. Four incense sticks are burning in the pot. A tall wall of jasmine, white climbing roses and other shrubs.
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Gemma Allen (she/her) @gemmaallen.bsky.social · 01/06/2025
Pride Month is more than a celebration, it’s a reminder of the courage & resilience of the LGBTQ+ community I’ll always stand in solidarity with those who paved the way & those still fighting for equality & justice, with a commitment to creating spaces where people are seen, heard, valued & safe🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈
A photo of the Pride Progress Flag against a blue sky and over the sea.
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Sharon Hudson she/her/they @sharonhudson.bsky.social · 29/05/2025
"If we as individuals and players in health systems, lean into discomfort, & it IS uncomfortable, of being with people we find different to ourselves & put down the pressure to know everything about everyone, we might connect back to our professional & human curiosity?" 👏 @jedjerwood.bsky.social
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Dr Jed Jerwood (PhD) @jedjerwood.bsky.social · 28/05/2025
Really pleased to share this reflective editorial published today in Progress in Palliative Care www.tandfonline.com/eprint/TMKYD... @nobarriershere.bsky.social @gemmaallen.bsky.social @ellieclack.bsky.social @sharonhudson.bsky.social @jamillahussain1.bsky.social
tandfonline.com
Reflections on working in health inequity in palliative care: Learning from the No Barriers Here project five years on
Published in Progress in Palliative Care: Science and the Art of Caring (Ahead of Print, 2025)
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Judi @judi.graysky.social · 28/05/2025
Thx 🙏 @jedjerwood.bsky.social and @gemmaallen.bsky.social for genuinely changing the way so many of us approach and reflect on health inequity in palliative care @nobarriershere.bsky.social. Lessons for life here: “We must also be willing to share power, listen, slow down & do things differently.”
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Gemma Allen (she/her) @gemmaallen.bsky.social · 28/05/2025
If we are brave enough to ask people about themselves and what and who is important to them, what they find difficult, what they are fearful of and what they need, we may have a chance to really improve the experiences of the people we care for.” www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
tandfonline.com
Reflections on working in health inequity in palliative care: Learning from the No Barriers Here project five years on
Published in Progress in Palliative Care: Science and the Art of Caring (Ahead of Print, 2025)
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Gemma Allen (she/her) @gemmaallen.bsky.social · 24/05/2025
Today’s read at cricket: Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo I’m only a few chapters in but I’m already swept up in these powerful, interwoven stories of Black British women across generations and identities. A reminder of how many ways there are to be.
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Gemma Allen (she/her) @gemmaallen.bsky.social · 18/05/2025
A vital read in @theguardian.com by @jamillahussain1.bsky.social on how the Assisted Dying Bill could impact minoritised communities. An important perspective that must not be overlooked. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
theguardian.com
Doctor criticises ‘lightweight’ assessment of impact of assisted dying
Palliative care consultant says insufficient consideration given to how disadvantaged communities may be affected
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Gemma Allen (she/her) @gemmaallen.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
I participated in a wellbeing walk around the hospice grounds during lunch today for #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek, taking time to appreciate being outdoors in nature. Along the way, we gathered a few treasures and created a simple display of natural art 🍃 #Nature #StaffWellbeing #Hospice
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Gemma Allen (she/her) @gemmaallen.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
This week is #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek and at Mary Stevens Hospice the focus is on staff wellbeing. We’ve created awareness boards ℹ️ planned wellbeing walks 👣 and creative activities 🎨 Because like any strong community, we’re stronger when we support one another 💚 #Wellbeing #MentalHealth
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Gemma Allen (she/her) @gemmaallen.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
Amazing news, very proud to be part of the @victstuproject.bsky.social research team!
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Gemma Allen (she/her) @gemmaallen.bsky.social · 10/05/2025
It’s a beautiful day for cricket! 🏏 Sunshine overhead, book in hand, picnic packed, flask full and suncream at the ready. Simple pleasures ☀️
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Gemma Allen (she/her) @gemmaallen.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
A fabulous Friday! Thank you @drkathrynmannix.bsky.social for insightful, thoughtful & honest conversations, plus adding your wise words to our hospice wisdom tree 🌲 Also a big thank you to @jedjerwood.bsky.social & @sharonhudson.bsky.social #palliativecare #hospice #DyingMattersAwarenessWeek
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No Barriers Here @nobarriershere.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
It’s #DyingMattersAwarenessWeek This film from our No Barriers Here study shares the stories & end of life choices of people often excluded from palliative care due to identity, culture, ethnicity & race. Because dignity, choice & individualised care matters for everyone youtu.be/G-ToRCT3UiU?...
youtu.be
No Barriers Here: Identity, culture, ethnicity and race
YouTube video by No Barriers Here
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Gemma Allen (she/her) @gemmaallen.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
Tomorrow afternoon and evening is going to be special! We can’t wait to welcome @drkathrynmannix.bsky.social to @mshospice.bsky.social for these TWO sold out events for #DyingMattersWeek. In partnership with The Heath Bookshop, @brumyodo.bsky.social and @nobarriershere.bsky.social 💛
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Gemma Allen (she/her) @gemmaallen.bsky.social · 04/05/2025
A bank holiday weekend of cricket 🏏 First 50 of the season yesterday off 18 balls for the boy, followed by today’s annual charity game with father and son playing to raise money for @mshospice.bsky.social A joy to see beautiful walls of wisteria in full bloom at Enville CC!
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Nick Ferran @nickferran.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
#MedSky would be good if those of you in the UK who support the LGBTQ community could sign up to this. 👇🏻
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Gemma Allen (she/her) @gemmaallen.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
Today, I’m officially in my new role as Director of Strategy, Innovation & Communications at Mary Stevens Hospice. A very proud moment and I’m so looking forward to everything that this new opportunity brings. Celebrating low key whilst son is at cricket training with a pub cob & a shandy! 😆
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Gemma Allen (she/her) @gemmaallen.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
#BlueSky Community Add to our #DyingMatters playlist - what song would you like played at your funeral? 🎵
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Gemma Allen (she/her) @gemmaallen.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
Are you looking for an independent consultant to drive inclusive project development or advise on equitable access to care? I now have availability for one short-term, pt project and would love to collaborate with an organisation who want to make a difference. 📧 g.allenconsultancy@yahoo.com
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Gemma Allen (she/her) @gemmaallen.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
Out of office on 😃 A welcome change of pace & a few sneaky purchases from the garden nurseries today 🪴 It's been an intense few weeks so I’m fully embracing no alarm clock for the next few days, although I’ll still be wide awake by 6am! For tonight, the candles are on & my feet are firmly up!
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