We’re delighted to welcome Sandra Fisher‑Martins as our new Deputy CEO and to introduce her to the Shared Lives South West community. With a diverse career spanning healthcare, social impact and climate action, Sandra brings a wealth of experience and a passion for creating meaningful change.

We caught up with Sandra to learn more about her background, what inspired her to join us, and what she’s most excited about in her new role…

Can you tell us a little bit about your working background? 

I am what you might call an impact generalist. My career has always focused on creating change, and it has spanned healthcare, social impact and climate action. I’ve founded and led a social enterprise providing clear communication services to government and corporate clients in Portugal; I managed the climate action programme for Oxfordshire County Council, I was a strategist for a global climate non-profit in Denmark, and worked as an NHS psychotherapist around the corner from our Somerset office many, many years ago. Before I joined the NHS, my first job in the UK was in the care sector.

What made you apply for the role at Shared Lives South West? 

I never thought that I’d work in the social care sector again, until I read about the Shared Lives model. It being community-based and focused on creating ‘gloriously ordinary lives’ for the people we support aligns strongly with my personal values. The broad scope of my role, covering Finance and People & Culture, was also a factor. I like variety!

How are you finding it so far in your first few weeks at Shared Lives South West?

I’m absolutely in awe of the culture that the team has created. I felt welcomed and cared for from the beginning of the recruitment process, and that sense has only increased since I joined. There is a lot to learn, and many people to meet. I’m particularly excited for my first Open Board meeting in September, when carers and people we support will work together with our trustees in shaping our future.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Two things that bring me great joy are knitting and visiting art exhibitions, particularly outsider art (created by artists living with learning disabilities or other barriers to accessing the mainstream art world).

What are you looking forward to most about your role as Deputy CEO at SLSW? 

Getting to know the Shared Lives model inside out, in all its layers and complexity. Meeting the whole team and learning how they work. Meeting our carers and the people we support.

What are your priorities in the role in the next six months? 

Learning, learning, learning!

What three things would you take to a desert island?

A sheep so I can have an endless supply of knitting wool. My toolbox – is this cheating? A cello – I always wanted to learn to play it, and I’m assuming I’d have a lot of free time.

Read more Shared Lives news here.