The Christie Charity
Veronica Watson, an integrative therapist in complementary therapy in the clinical support and specialist surgery is the winner of The Christie’s You Made a Difference Award for December 2024. The following comments were made about Veronica – also known as Bonnie – in the December nominations.
Judges picked Bonnie out as a very deserving winner and said that the comments made about her showed how she represents The Christie values and behaviours.
“Veronica (Bonnie) works as an integrative therapist within the complementary health and wellbeing team. Bonnie initially joined the service as a volunteer, before becoming a bank therapist in 2020. She has since progressed into a permanent role from November 2023. She has extensive previous experience in complementary therapies and teaching, and since joining the team has become a qualified hypnotherapist. Bonnie’s support in extending the complementary health and wellbeing service over at our centre in Oldham has been invaluable and she is now an established and valued member of the multidisciplinary team there.
“As Bonnie’s manager, I agree that the award is well deserved. She prioritises patients’ needs and spends the time to personalise a plan of care so that they have tools and techniques to build on their own resilience in the future when needed. Bonnie always goes the extra mile, making time for patients, peers, and carers. She is committed to developing her skills, using self-directed learning to further her knowledge in oncology. Bonnie is a team player and works well with all staff. She is a motivated, positive, and well-liked member of the team, who offers support and encouragement to all who meet her. As a team, we are beyond proud of her achievements and on getting this award.
“Bonnie is a busy mum of 4 boys and spends lots of her time with them. She enjoys time on her allotment, travel, yoga and has many interests outside of work. She is a great example of self-care and prioritises time for herself out of work.”
- Victoria Phelan, deputy clinical lead/manager
“I would like to nominate Bonnie from the complementary therapy team. Bonnie is a fantastic member of staff, who goes above and beyond in her role to support people. Bonnie made time for me and listened to me; she encouraged me to try different complementary therapies which I have never tried before and which I have found surprising helpful and beneficial. Bonnie is a real asset to the brilliant staff at The Christie at Oldham, who – by the way – all do a fantastic job. Thank you so much to everyone.
“The complementary therapy team offer a very valuable service and many people I have shared my experience with were not aware of or understand what complementary therapy is, so I have been sharing my very positive experience.
