Hi, I am Katie Sell and I am the sustainability manager, part of the sustainability team, here at CUH.
I have worked for the NHS since I graduated with a degree in Climate Change in 2020. Although, I didn’t anticipate myself working at CUH, I could not be more grateful to use my background to help make the hospital where I was born, more sustainable.
My CUH journey
I first worked at CUH within the histopathology department as a senior administrator, starting in April 2022. In November 2022 I joined the small, but brilliant, sustainability team, soon after they had launched their Green Plan (opens in a new tab), which is a roadmap of exactly how we are going to make the Trust Net-Zero by 2040. It was a great time to slot right in!
Engaging staff in our net zero mission
The most enjoyable part of my role is that I can be creative in how I make a difference. Staff behaviour change through engagement, education and empowerment is essential to delivering sustainable improvements and the CUH Green Plan, but one size does not fit all, and therefore I find alternative ways to encourage and enthuse on the sustainability mission to net zero and being carbon neutral.
Examples include encouraging participation in one of our monthly events, which focuses on a new sustainable theme, or working with nurses to research non-single use medical equipment.
My role allows me to look at everything from staff and their relationships with waste, to energy, to green spaces on site, and how we overcome any barriers that are there. In order for this to work, multi-disciplinary cooperation is essential - which I love. Being able to work with others, especially those I might not normally, and hear their concerns and suggestions means that we are closer to creating a more equal and sustainable conversation as to how we need CUH to be.
Being able to work with others, especially those I might not normally, and hear their concerns and suggestions means that we are closer to creating a more equal and sustainable conversation as to how we need CUH to be.
What does a usual day look like?
It’s safe to say that no day is the same within my role. One day I might be focusing on our Think Green Impact programme, another I could be creating videos and content for our social media channels and the next I could be speaking to departments across the Trust on how they feel they can be more sustainable, offering advice and ways that can be achieved. Whatever I do, there is always a focus on staff behaviour change and how I can support them in making sustainable changes.
The work I do helps the Trust to be net-zero by 2040, and contributes to mitigating climate-related issues.
The sustainability team undertakes a lot of multidisciplinary working. I often find myself working with other members of the team, for example, Amanda, our sustainable waste manager to communicate to staff the correct disposal stream so we recycle as much as possible, or working with Kieran, our sustainable energy engineer in finding ways to remind departments to switch over to LEDs if possible.
The work I do helps the Trust to be net-zero by 2040, and contributes to mitigating climate-related issues. My focus, in the shorter term, is around our staff and how I can help them engage in the sustainability agenda.