Caitlyn Varley joined Pennine GP Alliance (PGPA) in 2021 and now works as a Business and Project Support Officer for Calder & Ryburn PCN. Her role is wide-ranging, from providing administrative and project support to managing social media, updating websites, and organising team-building activities. She particularly enjoys coordinating outreach events and supporting the Personalised Care Teams, as it allows her to make a real difference for both colleagues and patients.
“I enjoy the variety of my role – balancing day-to-day business support with project-based work. I value being able to contribute to projects, while also providing reliable support to the team. I also enjoy collaborating with colleagues across different services and playing a key role in keeping projects on track and well-organised.”
Caitlyn first joined PGPA during the Covid-19 programme as a Covid-19 Administrator, responsible for recording patients’ vaccinations. “Through this experience, I discovered how much I enjoyed working in the healthcare sector and became motivated to continue developing my skills.” Before this, she worked full-time as a gymnastics coach, a role she still enjoys part-time. “It continues to bring me immense joy to see the children grow in confidence, achieve their goals, and develop a lifelong love for gymnastics.”
While she has never set rigid career goals, Caitlyn has found a clear direction through her work at PGPA. “My experience managing several projects has made it clear that project management is the direction I want to pursue. I enjoy coordinating tasks, working with different teams, and ensuring projects run smoothly from start to finish.” She credits much of her development to the support she has received: “My Clinical Director, Fawad, and Line Manager, Anna, have been incredibly supportive, providing guidance, encouragement, and opportunities to take on new responsibilities. I have also had the support of colleagues Georgina and Millie who also have an interest in projects and outreach events.”
When asked what makes PGPA different, Caitlyn explains: “The supportive and collaborative culture – everyone genuinely wants to help each other succeed. You’re trusted to take on responsibilities and grow in your role, but there’s also room for a laugh along the way.”
Outside of work, Caitlyn enjoys spending time with her sausage dog, Fudge, her dad, and her partner and his son. “Between family moments, Fudge’s antics, and the laughs we share, my free time is full of warmth, happiness, and plenty of fun chaos.”