Welcome to the team . . .

Our Stop Smoking Service is made up of professional and qualified staff who will offer support and advice to help you quit for good.  Remember you’re three times more likely to stop if you use a combination of stop smoking medication and specialist help from one of our advisors.

Laura

Tobacco Control Practitioner (Stop Smoking)

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Laura

I am the Practitioner for Tobacco Control, based within the Stop Smoking Service. I have held various roles within the service for 10+ years.

I currently work alongside the Stop Smoking Team to develop and deliver the Tobacco Control Strategy for Milton Keynes, Bedford Borough, and Central Bedfordshire.

My aims for the Tobacco Control Strategy are to support the current stop smoking service in working towards a smoke free generation in Milton Keynes, Bedford Borough, and Central Bedfordshire. We will achieve this by:

  • Working with Trading Standards to reduce demand for and supply of illicit and illegal tobacco and vapes.
  • Ensuring every smoker has access and opportunities to get support to help them quit smoking.
  • Embedding tobacco control as a key priority for all relevant stakeholder policy and procedures acrossMilton Keynes, Bedford Borough, and Central Bedfordshire.
  • Protecting children and young people and non-smokers by increasing the number of smoke free open spaces across Milton Keynes, Bedford Borough, and Central Bedfordshire
  • Providing clear messages about youth vaping and consistent guidance for parents, carers’ and professionals to manage and reduce incidents of vaping in young people.

As an ex-smoker who used the service to quit many years ago, I am passionate about our goal to achieve a smoke free generation and help current smokers to quit and enjoy a happy, healthy, smoke-free life.

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Claire

Public Health Practitioner (Stop Smoking)

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Claire

Hello, I’m Claire, I have worked for the Stop Smoking Service since 2019.

I’m one of the Public Health Practitioners, I manage a team of staff, I have written training packages as well the Guide to Quit Vaping and other materials for the Stop Smoking Service.

This role is special for me, the best part of my job is making a difference in people’s lives I enjoy attending events as this gives me the opportunity to meet new people and help raise awareness of our amazing service.

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Chris

Public Health Practitioner (Stop Smoking)

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Chris

Coming from a spectrum of different roles in various job sectors, including Engineering and Education, I felt at home once I got into Public Health. I was an advisor from 2019 – 2023, and demonstrated a passion to helping others improve their health, wellbeing and all round lifestyle, to my maximum capability. The satisfaction I got from the success stories in this role are what drove me forward.

From 2023 I have progressed to become a practitioner for the service – managing our senior advisors and overseeing our specialist projects. We work together to optimise our outreach, to raise our awareness to as many smokers who want to quit as possible, particularly for the most challenging groups, and provide high quality support utilising all the expertise from our team’s wealth of experience.

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Jackie

Senior Public Health Officer (Stop Smoking)

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Jackie

I have worked for the Stop Smoking Service for just over 8 years. My work involves forming links with Midwifes and Health Visitors across the Boroughs and supporting other health professionals who give advice and support around smoking, in particular around smoking in pregnancy.

I also run 1-2-1 appointments, one of these is a late night clinic each week.

When you are ready to quit smoking, I look forward to meeting you.

 

 

 

 

 

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Rukia

Senior Public Health Officer (Stop Smoking)

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Rukia

I have been with the service from 2016 and having stepped up into the role of a Senior Stop Smoking Advisor has really made me appreciate what I do. Helping people stop smoking and celebrating their achievement gives me great pleasure and makes me even more keen to make the public in general healthier.

I also co-ordinate the Workplace project across the three local authorities; we aim to support workplaces in their smoke-free policies through the Healthy Workplace Awards Scheme. I can train the staff to assist their employees who are choosing to quit smoking and live a heathier lifestyle, offer support to those who need it and guide them to our service.

Whenever you are ready to quit, our fantastic team are here to help.

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Mandy

Senior Public Health Officer (Stop Smoking)

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Mandy

I have been a Stop Smoking Advisor for many years now and have done both face to face clinics and telephone support within the three local authorities. I am now the Lead in Mental Health Smoking Cessation within Stop Smoking Services, working in partnership with local MH units to train their staff to speak to their patients about quitting smoking and promoting a healthier lifestyle, as people with poor mental health live between 10-15 years less, than an average person.

I can honestly say I feel very passionate about the work I do, as it is all very close to my heart: building people’s confidence, supporting, and encouraging them to make those big changes in their lives and to go on and live a smoke free healthier, and hopefully longer happier life.

 

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Jane

Senior Public Health Officer (Stop Smoking)

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Jane

I come from a 8 year Dispensary Pharmacy  background , Qualified Dispenser. I started my Stop Smoking career 16 years ago, working within 5 Milton Keynes Pharmacies.

2013 I moved into Surgery life , working in Milton Keynes Surgeries, running very successful Stop Smoking Clinics.

Fast forward to 2019 , I joined the Public Health Office, Stop Smoking Service I am now a Level 3 Stop Smoking Advisor running four Telephone Support Clinics & Pharmacy Co-ordinator covering Central Bedfordshire, Bedford Borough & Milton Keynes.

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Ravi

Senior Public Health Officer (Stop Smoking)

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Ravi

I have been with the Stop Smoking Service for nearly 3 years now. I am currently leading on the Children and Young People Project within the Team.

I have a BSc Psychology degree and have worked in Public Health for the past 7 years including NHS Health Checks, Sexual Health and Diabetes.

Working as part of the Stop Smoking Service allows me to help people make positive changes in their lives and being able to do this makes my job very rewarding. Everyone within the Stop Smoking Service shares the same vision and we are all dedicated to helping our clients reach their goals.

We are a supportive, caring and understanding team who will help you every step of the way.

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Edith

Senior Public Health Officer (Stop Smoking)

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Edith

I feel very privileged to be part of this amazing team.

My background is print media, research, education, social care and a very brief experience in sexual health.

I took a career break to raise my young children and went back to school there after to complete a master’s degree in public health. I joined the Stop Smoking Service after having worked as part of the Covid-19 response team and the Healthy Weight team operating from Bedford Borough Council, respectively as part of the shared service.

I am passionate about making a difference and being part of this service has offered me a fantastic opportunity and a huge platform.

When you feel ready to take that decision to quit smoking, we are just a call away and we will happily support and encourage you all the way.

To find out more about our service go to  www.thestopsmokingservice.co.uk

Thank You!

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Zahid

Senior Public Health Officer (Stop Smoking)

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Zahid

Dedicated Senior Public Health Officer with a passion for helping individuals reclaim their health and lives by overcoming tobacco addiction for the past four years. Leveraging a comprehensive understanding of the physiological, psychological, and social aspects of smoking, I provide tailored guidance and support to clients on their journey towards a smoke-free life. Through evidence-based strategies, empathetic communication, and a non-judgmental approach, I empower individuals to set achievable goals, develop coping mechanisms, and navigate the challenges of quitting smoking. With a commitment to making a positive impact, I strive to be a beacon of encouragement and knowledge, fostering healthier communities one successful quit at a time.

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Olena Kovalenko

Public Health Officer (Stop Smoking)

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Olena Kovalenko

I have been working in this team since 2018, and for the council since 2010. I love meeting new people daily and helping them to reach their goals of quitting smoking. Never give up giving up. Also get the support that is out there to help with your quit. Make the quit your own not about other people and keep trying.

I am very proud of the experienced & passionate team we have.

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Vera

Public Health Officer (Stop Smoking)

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Vera

My experience in providing support with issues such as housing, benefits and health, plus my educational background in BSc (Hons) Health Psychology, has all given me the opportunity to enjoy working with people in a variety of roles.

It was always my long-term goal to work in Public Health and it is my passion to make difference in individuals’ lives through motivation and building confidence for change. I joined the team in 2020 and am confident that the Stop Smoking Service is the perfect fit for me to deliver my services.

I also deliver Primary Care Training – level 1 and level 2 to other stakeholders.

The professionals within our team are very welcoming with great passion to achieve positive outcomes. Being part of the team brings out the best in me and look forward to making huge difference in more lives in the future.

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Leanne Aradi

Public Health Officer (Stop Smoking)

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Leanne Aradi

My previous experience is providing support within adult social care, Highways and Registrations for Central Bedfordshire Council. Working within Adult social care gave me the opportunity of providing support to vulnerable adults which was extremely rewarding.

This then led towards my role within public health, helping individuals make that positive change in their life. I joined the team in 2021 as a Project Support Officer, I’m now a qualified Level 3 Stop Smoking Advisor.

I’m very passionate about my role in helping individuals make a difference in their lives through motivation, confidence building and guidance. Our team is very welcoming, professional and thrive on positive outcomes for all our clients.

 

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Peggy

Public Health Officer

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Peggy

As a Public Health officer, I support our cherished service users on their journey to being smokefree . As part of my role I liaise with Pharmacies and GP’s to ensure continuity for my clients in all matters relating to their quit status and general wellbeing.

I am particularly enthusiastic about Public health because it gives me the opportunity to harness my zeal in promoting the health and wellbeing of people through organized efforts and the substantial information provided in and outside of my clinics. I am also appreciative of the excellent team of health professionals whom I work with to support people swerve smoking related diseases.

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Lesley

Project Support Officer

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Lesley

I have been with Central Bedfordshire Council for 5 years, I started off supporting Adult Social Care via referrals and liaison with Social Workers, I also managed a variety of Waste requests and many other services the Council offer.  Then I was a Ukrainian Support Officer, supporting refugees with integration into a new life in the UK. Now I am in the Public Health Team as a Stop Smoking Project Support Officer, supporting our amazing Stop Smoking Advisors who help people to quit and enjoy healthier lifestyles, we are welcoming, friendly, and supportive, I look forward to hearing from you as you embark on your Quit journey.

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Are you ready to quit?

If you are ready to make that next step you can refer yourself online. One of the team will give you a call to make an appointment as soon as possible.

Refer Online