A new CEO will be taking control of Ellenor, a registered charity providing hospice care in south east London.

Michelle Kabia will be taking on the role after having joined the team back in July this year.

She is committed to building on the remarkable work the charity has already begun and aims to drive positive change.

Michelle’s healthcare career began in the 1980s when she worked as a cancer nurse, and her career has continued to thrive over the last 40 years bringing her to this exciting role today.

She said: “Cancer wasn’t something people talked about back then.

“There was a big shame in having caught something that people thought could be contagious.”

“When I first entered Ellenor, it felt like walking through the doors of my home; a place where I could truly make an impact, be myself.

“I’ve been warmly welcomed; sensed the dedication of our team to our patients and their families and witnessed a genuine desire for continuous improvement.

After working as a cancer nurse, Michelle’s next role was at Turning Point, where she pioneered a groundbreaking hospice for drug users with HIV – the first of its kind not only in the UK, but in the world.

Later, she managed Turning Point’s mental health and learning disability services.

She has also worked with housing associations helping those with HIV, MIND, a mental health charity, and then Ellenor.

She added: “At Ellenor, nobody is sitting back and saying we don’t need anything new.

“Everyone’s really engaged in exploring different approaches, and ensuring we showcase our work effectively.

“That’s impressed me.”

Looking ahead, Michelle is determined to nurture and strengthen Ellenor’s relationships with local partners such as Mind, Alzheimer’s Association, Age UK, and Stonewall – while also expanding the organisation’s engagement with underrepresented communities.

She also aims to build on the work being carried out by Ellenor’s Children's Services in supporting young people and their families – work she finds “extremely impressive.”