Ivan Cobham, activity coordinator

Each and every person who works at The Christie performs a valuable role which directly links to patient care. Whether it is a nurse delivering chemotherapy treatments, a member of the administration team sending out an appointment letter, a surgeon performing a robotic procedure, the domestic teams ensuring our wards are spotlessly clean, or an IT engineer keeping our computer systems running, there is a huge variety of roles that come together to make The Christie special.

All our staff go to tremendous lengths to help each and every one of our patients and together: We are The Christie.

Ivan Cobham is The Christie’s first dedicated activity coordinator. He offers personalised support to adult oncology patients during inpatient stays. While the focus is on those with cognitive impairment, delirium or dementia, Ivan supports any patient who may benefit from stimulation, companionship or emotional support.

My focus is on purposeful engagement – from arts and crafts to relaxation exercises or just sitting and talking. Whatever is meaningful for the patient in that moment.

Ivan Cobham, activity coordinator

Ivan has worked with inpatients at The Christie for over 3 years, stepping into this new role in September 2024. With over 2 decades of experience in care, he is actively developing the post with a strong focus on person-centred care.

“I provide an added blanket of support, helping to reduce anxiety and promote cognitive function,” says Ivan. Each patient has individual needs that Ivan tries to cater for, but common activities include therapeutic painting exercises, breathwork and memory games.     

He works mainly on wards 11 and 12 but takes referrals from across the Trust, often supporting milestone moments like birthdays or weddings. “Sometimes that’s all someone needs – a golden moment to navigate the challenging times.” 

In May 2025, Ivan received a You Made a Difference Award for the impact he’s already made. “I’m still a healthcare assistant at heart,” he adds. “If a patient needs me, I’ll be there.”

Watch our We are The Christie video on our YouTube channel to see some of our key services and the support offered at The Christie, as well as patients discussing how this has helped them.

A photo of Ivan Cobham, activity coordinator at The Christie, sitting at a table with colouring pens and art supplies.