Francesca Balon

Freedom To Speak Up Guardian

North West Ambulance Service

I was born with Aniridia, a rare genetic eye condition and registered blind at the age of five. Navigating society in my formative years was challenging and had a life changing impact on my mental health. In 2014 whilst recovering recovery from a mental health condition I was encouraged to take up the opportunity of becoming an Expert by Experience with the CQC using my own experiences of health and social care.

Whilst at the time it gave me a purpose it developed into a passion for championing lived experience and how valuable it is for shaping high quality inclusive care and continue to do this work. I joined North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) in 2019 as part of the Communications & Patient Engagement Team as an Administrator. Looking for a new challenge and to learn more about the service I joined the Medical Directorate as an Administration Officer in 2022.

In December 2024 I started a 12-month secondment as one of the Trust’s Freedom To Speak Up Guardians. From a young age I was exposed to the barriers and discrimination disabled people face day to day and have been an active campaigner. So, naturally after joining NWAS I became vice chair of the Staff Disability Network and in 2024 became co-chair.In 2017 I began the process to apply for a guide dog and was matched with Sean. Over the past six years Sean has changed my life in ways you cannot imagine, helped me go from surviving to thriving and given and live the best quality of life.

Whilst life isn’t always easy as a disabled person having Sean by my side has given me reassurance and confidence. He has enough confidence for the both of us, is clever but desperately lacks common sense and despite being close to turning nine years old still has the energy of a 9-month-old puppy!