Hello, my name is Jenny Emmel, and I started a new role in January as Knowledge Manager at Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust (BDCFT).   Before this role I worked at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT) as a Corporate Support Librarian. 

After 17 years in an acute trust, I am finding it quite a change to move organisations and I think I underestimated how much of a shift it would be to change from acute to mental.  As with any new job it is necessary to understand procedures and how things are done, but the LTHT ways have become quite ingrained, so I have found it quite a challenge to re-educate myself.

I have been involved in some interesting projects since joining BDCFT.  Next week I am delivering a session on evaluation to winners of the Trust Innovation Awards.   Developing this session has been a good way to foster new relationships as I have sought guidance from colleagues in the R&D Team and liaised with the Business Development Manager. 

I have also been working to improve the discoverability and usability of policies on the intranet.  I have been pleasantly surprised about the responsiveness of IT colleagues to improve the current situation and it has been rewarding to offer insight from a librarian’s perspective.

With the need to process so much new information I have relished being able to do something more familiar, undertaking literature searches and delivering one to one training.  It is interesting to deal with queries with a mental health /community focus and it is a great way for me to develop an understanding of the priorities of this sector and the intricacies of working in a community trust.

My colleagues and I have also been working jointly to develop our critical appraisal skills.  It has been great to work collaboratively on this to learn from each other and gain confidence together.

It now seems quite a while since I first met my library colleagues and the wider R&D team at an Away Day before Christmas.  It was a gentle and enjoyable introduction to the service and since then, everyone has been very welcoming and supportive.

Jenny Emmel
Knowledge Manager
Library & Health Promotion Resources
Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust