Meet the Newcastle team

Staff at the Marie Curie Hospice Newcastle explain why they enjoy their jobs as well as revealing their hobbies and favourite songs.

Pauline Lowes, Hospice Manager

What is the best part of your job?

Being able to respond to the needs of patients and their families. Not just in delivering fantastic care but also helping with more personal wishes. It’s rare that we can’t respond to even the more unusual requests from organising a wedding at short notice to supporting someone to fulfil a long held wish.

What are your hobbies?

Walking my dog over the Cumbrian fells.

What is your favourite song?

All of Tamla Motown.

Jimmy Maughan, Chef

What is the best part of your job?

We always try and go that extra mile for patients and their loved ones. My team and I have even arranged a birthday party for a two-year-old. She was the daughter of one of the patients here and it meant a lot to her mum that they were able to celebrate the day together.

What are your most popular meals?

Chinese food and curries.

What are your hobbies?

Going on holiday.

What is your favourite or song?

It’s Different for Girls by Joe Jackson.

Tina Liss, Housekeeping Assistant

What is the best part of your job?

I work as part of the multi-disciplinary team and my role is to make sure the hospice cleaning is kept to a high standard which I really enjoy. I also get a lot of job satisfaction from chatting with the patients.

What are your hobbies?

Reading and gardening.

What is your favourite song?

Enrique Iglesias, Taking Back My Love.

Christine Barker, Social Worker

What is the best part of your job?

My role is to provide physical, practical and bereavement support to patients and their families. My role is very varied, never boring and no two days are the same.

I work with a great team supporting people to achieve their final wishes. This could be helping to arrange a wedding, a special day, funeral arrangements or support in planning future care.

What are your hobbies?

Running around after my three children and providing mum’s taxi service.

Who is your favourite singer?

The last CD I wanted to buy was Rockferry by Duffy.

Suzanne McKenna, Area Fundraising Manager

How long have you worked for Marie Curie Cancer Care?

Since June 2006.

What is the best part of your job?

There’s no better feeling at the end of the day than knowing if I do a good job it has a tangible, positive effect on patients and their families at such a difficult time in their lives.

What are your hobbies?

My family and my friends would tell you my favourite hobby is sleeping, with the SoozySnoozy being a regular occurrence at home. My other favourite pastime has to be shopping. I am well known for my encyclopedic recollection of every shop in the MetroCentre and its opening hours.

I love spending time with my two children, who never fail to amaze and impress me on a daily basis, and my friends are a huge part of my life. Any chance to spend time with them is a luxury I always look forward to..