Alison trained as a Nurse at Nottingham City in 1969-72. She left in 1975 to undertake Health Visitor training at Nottingham Trent, doing her placement in Derbyshire where she has worked ever since. Alison became a Practice Teacher in 1980 and has seen many of her students go on to greater things. She was first a health and safety rep and then went on to be a LAR for more than 15 years, all down to her PT who herself was very active in the local branch.

Alison advanced to become professional lead for health visiting in her organisation and ultimately, as it went through several rapid reorganisations, professional lead for children’s services for Derbyshire Community Services. Alison now works for the Quality directorate for her organisation and as they move forward in the process of application for community foundation status further changes to her roll have occurred. she is now head of quality improvement and performance but maintains links with the children's service as a mentor and supervisor and coach to colleagues in the children's frontline field.