Grainne Bellenie

I have spent more than 30 years working across health services, community organisations and the voluntary sector, focusing on improving the experiences of patients and tackling inequalities in access to care. Throughout my career, I have worked at the intersection of patient experience, inclusion, prevention and service improvement, with a strong belief that services work best when they are shaped by the people who use them.

My work has involved providing strategic leadership across national, regional and provider settings, supporting programmes and organisations to embed patient voice, equality and lived experience into the design and delivery of services. I have led large-scale engagement programmes with patients, charities and communities, ensuring that their insights inform decision-making, governance and quality improvement. This has included developing frameworks and practical tools that help organisations move beyond consultation towards meaningful co-production.

Alongside my professional work, I am deeply committed to community leadership and public service. I chair a national charity supporting people and families affected by vascular birthmarks and have served as a long-standing school governor, supporting safeguarding, inclusion and opportunities for young people.

My work is guided by strong values,  integrity, inclusion, compassion and community. These values underpin the creation of The Inclusion Co, where the focus is on helping organisations turn their commitment to equality and inclusion into meaningful, practical action that improves culture, services and outcomes.