Barbara Drysdale RVN CertEd
VetSkill
Barbara started her career in Veterinary Nursing in mixed practice, going on to work in referral practice and the charity sector before a move into the world of education. She has taught in both FE and HE and was involved in the development of the UK’s first veterinary nursing degree programme. Barbara remained in education for many years.
After a break from the profession, she returned to work for VetSkill; an Awarding Organisation that offers quality qualifications and end point assessment.
Her passions are her horses, dog, cats and chickens! She enjoys keeping fit and healthy, use the gym, and runs regularly. She has also been a foster carer for 11 years and is passionate about injustices in our social system.
Barbara still does the odd shift as a veterinary nurse to keep up to date with the development of the profession.
Dr Rosie Allister BSc (Hons) BVSc MSc PhD MRCVS
Vetlife
Dr Rosie Allister has received the BVA Chiron Award and RCVS Impact Award for work on veterinary mental health. Rosie manages Vetlife Helpline, a 24 hour support service for everyone in the UK veterinary community. Her research, based at the University of Edinburgh, looks at veterinary professionals’ mental health, wellbeing in transitions, and suicide prevention. She has written and spoken extensively about veterinary mental health in the UK and internationally. She has volunteered with Samaritans for 18 years and advises a number of national organisations on suicide prevention and self harm.
Jennifer Scrimshaw RVN
The College of Animal Welfare
Jenn qualified as an RVN in 2011 and after working in a Small Animal Practice for 12 years, joined the College of Animal Welfare in 2017.
She is Lead IQA for the college and responsible for moderating both the NPL and ePortfolio; as well as running NPL and ePortfolio support sessions and carrying out Training Practice Audits. She enjoys the variety of the role, in particular seeing students and clinical coaches/supervisors during practice visits.
Jenn has an 8-year-old son, who keeps her very busy in her spare time and they love the outdoors.
Jess Woolrich BSc(Hons) RVN, PGCert VetEd, Cert VNES
VetLed Ltd
Jess graduated from the RVC in 2010 and went on to work in first opinion and referral settings and to work with exotics, (in Hong Kong). In 2012 she gained the Certificate in nursing exotic species. She has a particular interest in on-boarding and retention of team members, particularly those new to the profession.
Jess has taught Level 3 diploma students, has a Level 3 Award in Education and Teaching and a PGCert in Veterinary Education from RVC.
Jess is passionate about the application of Human Factors in veterinary practice, particularly the impact of words, experiences and behaviours on our teams. She is convinced that equipping teams with Nonviolent Communication (NVC) skills will transform veterinary practice for veterinary professionals, our clients, and the care we deliver to our patients.
Lisa Forrest
The College of Animal Welfare
Lisa began her career in banking and financial services after gaining a degree in Accountancy. She then moved into education and taught Primary for 10 years, with a range of responsibilities for phonics, ICT, reading, assessment, and spent her last year as Deputy Head. Lisa then made the decision to move into adult education and worked at Leeds City College training teaching assistants to work both in the classroom and one to one, supporting English and Maths and learners with additional needs such as Autism, ADHD and dyslexia. She moved to CAW in 2018, initially as a basic skills tutor, and now teaches Functional Skills across the college, along with AAT Level 2, and is also responsible for supporting learners with additional needs with academic writing and developing materials to support English and Maths across all the subjects offered by the College.
Sam Double MSc, BSc(Hons), DipAVN(Med), RVN, VTS(Anesthesia & Analgesia), CertEd, GMBPsS
Vetskill
Sam is the Director of Operations for VetSkill; who are an Awarding Organisation, End Point Assessment Organisation and Professional Regulatory Body. Sam has worked for VetSkill since 2018 first as Qualifications Manager, then subsequently as Programme Manager and Deputy CEO before joining the VetSkill Board of Directors in January 2023.
Prior to joining VetSkill, Sam was a Programme Manager for Veterinary Nursing and Higher Education at a large Further Education College. She is an experienced educator and has previously worked in several Further and Higher Education institutions across a number of subject areas, including Veterinary Nursing.
Sam also has extensive clinical experience in Veterinary Nursing, after spending 12 years in university and private referral hospitals.
Sam is passionate about advancing education and assessment, and ensuring that VetSkill provide an inspirational range of qualifications and end point assessments.