Meet the team
Who’s who and the roles we play
Sarah Bates
Sarah is the Startwell Team Leader and a qualified Nutritionist with a Masters in Public Health. She has worked in the NHS and Early Years nutrition and healthy lifestyles for over 15 years. Sarah is very passionate about the Startwell programme and thinks the team does a fantastic job supporting Early Years Settings in Birmingham.
If you were a Startwell character, which one would you be?
Sarah would be Suzy Startwell. As a manager and a Mum of young children she always feels that she needs to lead by example and try and be a good role model. This can be harder on some days than others, but Sarah tries to get her physical activity in each week and she has recently joined the gym again and is currently enjoying spin classes. She is also trying to stick to ‘2 snacks Max’ to encourage her children to do the same.
Claire Hamilton
Claire is the Startwell Early Years Lead; she is a qualified early year’s practitioner who holds her Early Years Professional status, numerous early years’ qualifications and a degree in Professional Childhood Studies. Claire has a teaching certificate in Integrated Centre Leadership and is currently completing her adult teaching qualification. Claire has worked in Early Years settings, community based projects, Children Centres and healthy lifestyles for over 25 years and has worked on the Startwell project for the last 5 years.
If you were a Startwell character, which one would you be?
Claire would be Active Azra. Outside of Startwell Claire attends the gym regularly as well as walking her dogs daily, cycling and the occasional run – I love being outside especially if the weather is good. I really struggle to sit still and I also like to take part in activities with my children as well as chauffeuring them to their many dance, trampoline, football and cricket activities. I try to make sure that my children are Active throughout the day.
Teresa Johnson
Teresa is a Startwell Consultant and a qualified Nutritionist with a BSc (Hons) degree in Public Health Nutrition. She has worked in the NHS as a Community Nutritionist for over 12 years, initially on a variety of healthy lifestyle projects before specialising in Early Years Nutrition. Teresa has been part of Startwell since the programme began in 2011 and has been involved in its development over the last 10 years.
If you were a Startwell character, which one would you be?
Teresa can identify with all the Startwell characters; however as a lover of fruit and vegetables, Teresa would be Fay 5 a Day. As well as the many physical health benefits that come with eating at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables per day, there is new and emerging research on their importance for mental health and wellbeing. Teresa is passionate about the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables and encouraging young children to develop a love of fruits and vegetables too.
Joe Ellis
Joe is Startwell’s Project Support Worker, who has a qualification in business administration and has worked in the NHS for 6 years. Outside of work he has a passion for psychology, music, healthy lifestyles and various creative projects.
If you were a Startwell character, which one would you be?
Joe would be Sammy Skills. Ask any musician and they will tell you how many hours they’ve spent honing their skill and technique and practicing it into muscle memory.
