Szara Coote

To ensure we have a voice in health service and supporting others to do the same. I am passionate about representing patients in the conditions that are my areas of interest - Talipes / Foot drop / Mental Illness / Scoliosis / Menopause

About Me

Having worked in accountancy for 30 years and as a survivor of domestic abuse, I myself became a mental health service user. I felt let down, no one actually listened.  Patients needed to be heard.

In 2014 I became the founder of 'Shoosh No More' and after a life time of silence, I finally had a voice and became determined to help other people speak out.  To educate and raise awareness.

I was born with right Talipes, and due to stigma, I kept it a secret.  I was later was diagnosed with Scoliosis and foot drop.  Still no one helped, nor listened and I remained lost in the system.  When I moved to Cambridgeshire that initially continued, but I felt strongly that Patient & Public involvement is crucial within our care services.   I set up and facilitated a local mental health group and I am trained to run a domestic abuse programme.  I helped with teaching in the Department of Psychiatry University of Cambridge, Joined the Q community and became an East of England Citizen Senate.

Since then I have been representing the patient voice locally, regionally and nationwide.

Condition interest or area of knowledge

• Talipes
• Foot drop
• Mental Illness
• Scoliosis
• Menopause

Where I can help

• Bedfordshire
• Cambridgeshire
• Essex
• Hertfordshire
• Norfolk
• Suffolk
• UK (National)

Organisations I am involved with: 

• University of Cambridge
• *The Sun Network
• Freedom Programme Ltd
• MHFA England
• East of England Citizen Senate
• Psyomics
• PPG