No place for discrimination: Natasha's story

For National Hate Crime Awareness Week, Nottinghamshire Healthcare will be launching its 'No Excuse For Abuse' hate incidents/crimes campaign, sending out a clear message to those who abuse its staff, visitors, carers and service users that there is no place for hate in our organisation.

Hate incidents are significantly underreported across society and it is no different for the Trust. Staff have reported, through the Trust’s BME Staff Network and NHS National Staff Survey (2020), that the most common form of hate incident is racism and is one of the many reasons why we are addressing this important issue. The impact this has on our staff and those who use our services is often profound.

We're sharing a story from Natasha Bowen, who experienced a hate incident at the Trust. She talks about how she felt too afraid to speak up as a new member of staff but felt empowered, valued and protected after her manager challenged the person. 

Natasha Bowen, Access to Information Support Officer

Colin's story: “It’s about being independent and respecting who and what I am”

For this year's World Mental Health Day, we're shining a spotlight on the Trust's Employment Support Service, Futures Positive. 

Stigma and discrimination experienced by people with mental health issues doesn’t just affect their physical and mental health. It can also affect their training and educational opportunities, as well as their future job prospects.

Earlier we told Sarah's story. After experiencing mental health issues during Covid-19, she found herself unsupported at work, before turning to Futures Positive for help. 

For Colin though, employment support came after almost 20 years of mental health issues. Following 14 years out of work, he was referred to Futures Positive by his Occupational Therapist after expressing an interest in finding employment again.  

Sarah's story: “I am still finding my way but having a purpose is allowing me to sustain my recovery”

Stigma and discrimination experienced by people with mental health issues doesn’t just affect their physical and mental health. It can also affect their training and educational opportunities, as well as their future job prospects.

The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day is Mental Health in an Unequal World, so what better opportunity to shine a spotlight on the Trust’s Employment Support Service?

Futures Positive support people with mental health issues to find paid or alternative employment. Being employed in a role you enjoy has lots of benefits for your mental health; it can give structure, meaning and purpose to life. People with lived experience can act as mental health advocates in the workplace too, helping to break down barriers and challenge stigma amongst others.

Sarah* enlisted the help of Futures Positive earlier this year. After experiencing mental health issues during the pandemic, she found herself unsupported at work and overwhelmed by the idea of what to do next.

Nursing associate shares her journey of achieving her dream job of becoming a nurse

Our very first nursing associate has shown her dedication and commitment and now has her first job as a registered nurse.

Nursing associates were a new role in the Trust which began in 2017. They work with healthcare support workers and registered nurses to deliver care for patients and the public. It is also a stepping stone to becoming a registered nurse.

Leah Quick was our first nursing associate in the Trust and share’s her amazing journey of the challenges she overcame to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse.

Life in the army gave me a resilience that many people don't have

Nottinghamshire Healthcare has been a long supporter of the Armed Forces Community and recognise the valuable contribution, wealth of experience and skills that armed forces personnel and their families bring to the organisation and that this contributes to the delivery of safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led patient care.

In supporting the armed forces, the Trust has signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant and NHS Employers Step into Health programme. Armed forces and their families include service leavers, reservists, veterans, Cadet Forces adult volunteers and spouses, partners and families of those serving.

Samantha Palmer, Admin Team Leader in the Adult Mental Health Services has always been involved in army life. In fact, she actually joined at birth. She tells her story of being raised in such a different lifestyle and why she decided to join the NHS.

Samantha Palmer, Admin Team Leader

Royal Air Force veteran shares his life as a chef in the Armed Forces and how it compares to his role in the NHS

For Armed Forces Week, we’re sharing stories from our reservists and veterans who, having had a career in the Armed Forces have now chosen to continue their career in the NHS.

Nottinghamshire Healthcare has been a long supporter of the Armed Forces Community and recognise the valuable contribution, wealth of experience and skills that Armed Forces personnel and their families bring to the organisation and that this contributes to the delivery of safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led patient care.

In supporting the Armed Forces, the Trust has signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant and NHS Employers Step into Health programme. Armed Forces and their families include service leavers, reservists, veterans, Cadet Forces adult volunteers and spouses, partners and families of those serving.

Hear from Brian Bonner who started work at the Trust in February 2021 as a Facilities Coordinator. He joined the Royal Air Force initially as a driver but had to re-muster to be a chef due to his colour blindness causing difficulty. Brian talks about his time in the Royal Air Force and what made him choose a career in the NHS.

 

Brian Bonner, Facilities Coordinator

How my army reservist role has gone on to shape my civilian career in the NHS

Nottinghamshire Healthcare has been a long supporter of the Armed Forces Community and recognise the valuable contribution, wealth of experience and skills that Armed Forces personnel and their families bring to the organisation and that this contributes to the delivery of safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led patient care.

In supporting the Armed Forces, the Trust has signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant and NHS Employers Step into Health programme. Armed Forces and their families include service leavers, reservists, veterans, Cadet Forces adult volunteers and spouses, partners and families of those serving.

For Armed Forces Week, we’re sharing stories from our reservists and veterans who, having had a career in the Armed Forces have now chosen to continue their career in the NHS.

Angela Holland started work at the Trust at the beginning of last year as a Research Delivery Assistant (RDA). Angela had not planned on being a reservist. It was only when she went to Australia and New Zealand on a working visa and met someone that was talking about the fitness training they did with the Territorial Army, that planted a seed for what would become an exciting career move.  

Angela Holland

As part of Stroke Awareness Month, Christopher Watterson from Woodborough, Nottinghamshire, is sharing his experience of a stroke and how it left him thinking what the future would bring. With the support of the Trust’s Community Stroke team, and Christopher’s fantastic motivation, he is now on the road to recovery.  

A stroke happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off, killing brain cells. Damage to the brain can affect the way your body works, and it can also change how you think and feel. There are more than 100,000 strokes in the UK each year with around one in four strokes happening to people of working age.

 

Emma and Jasmine from the Community Stroke team who supported
Christopher Watterson following his stroke

Celebrating Volunteers’ Week: “Finding purpose in what was once a great struggle is the most fulfilling journey.”

It’s Volunteers’ Week, 1 – 7 June, and we’re celebrating and recognising the fantastic work of our volunteers. 

Nottinghamshire Healthcare has 185 registered volunteers who give hundreds of hours of their time every week supporting staff, patients and their families. Our volunteers bring skills, knowledge and a desire to make a difference to our services and the lives of the people we care for. 

We spoke to Samantha Houghton, who has been a volunteer for the Trust for 2 months. Living through her own experience of complex trauma for many years, Samantha feels very fortunate to be on the other side of significant difficulties with her mental and emotional health and talks about how this has helped her make a difference to those that have endured similar struggles.

Befriender Samantha Houghton

A day in the life of a community Macmillan nurse

Dying Matters Awareness Week, 10-16 May 2021, focuses on the importance of being in a good place to die. The pandemic has proven that it is more important than ever for people to think about it, talk about it and plan for it. Sophie Richardson, community Macmillan nurse, looks after adults diagnosed with non-curable cancer thought to be in their last year of life with complex symptoms and complex psychological needs in the community. She shares what it’s like to work in such a role and what it involves.

Sophie Richardson, Community Macmillan Nurse

Community nursing team enabled me to become a daughter again, not a carer during Dads last days

As part of Experience of Care Week, we’re sharing a story about the valuable work of one of the Trust’s community nursing teams and how they supported end of life care with care and compassion for a truly amazing gentleman and his family.

Jill Cowley’s father, Douglas, was aged 92 when he passed away. She is immensely grateful for the support she received from Retford and District Community Nursing Team for the care and compassion they gave her father during his last days.

Douglas with his grandson George

Read Jill's story:

Royal Navy veteran says his NHS nurse mum inspired him to follow in her footsteps

Nottinghamshire Healthcare has been a long supporter of the Armed Forces Community and recognise the valuable contribution, wealth of experience and skills that Armed Forces personnel and their families bring to the organisation and that this contributes to the delivery of safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led patient care.

In supporting the Armed Forces the Trust has signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant and NHS Employers Step into Health programme. Armed Forces and their families include: Service leavers, Reservists, Veterans, Cadet Forces Adult volunteers and spouses, partners and families of those serving.

We’re sharing stories from our reservists and veterans who, having had a career in the Armed Forces have now chosen to continue their career in the NHS.

Simon Ralls is a Clinical Nurse Specialist for Veterans and has worked at the Trust for 30 years. He joined the Royal Navy straight from school to follow a career in engineering and to have the opportunity to travel. Hear from Simon as he talks about his time in the Royal Navy and what made him choose a career in the NHS.

Simon Ralls, aged 16, undertaking his
training at HMS Sultan, Gosport

International Women's Day: Trust nurse plays key part in the vaccination programme and shares what it's like to be part of the biggest vaccination programme in the world

International Women’s Day 2021 celebrates the incredible efforts by women and girls around the world in shaping a more equal future and recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

We’re highlighting some inspirational women at the Trust who have played a key part in the roll out of the vaccination programme. Over 20 million people in the UK have now had their first jab and the rollout of programme is the biggest vaccination effort the world has seen.

Marie Winter is Trustwide Covid Testing & Vaccinator Nurse and has worked for the Trust for 42 years.  She talks about her involvement in the vaccination programme and how she has felt extremely valued that her skills and previous experience have been recognised.

Marie Winter, Covid Testing and Vaccination Nurse

International Women's Day: Inspirational women who are playing a key part in the vaccination rollout

International Women’s Day is on 8 March and celebrates the tremendous efforts by women and girls around the world in shaping a more equal future and recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

On this day, we take a look at some inspirational women at the Trust who have played a key part in the roll out of the vaccination programme. Over 20 million people in the UK have now had their first jab and the rollout of programme is the biggest vaccination effort the world has seen.

Karen Ceesay is Head of Workforce Transformation and has worked at Nottinghamshire Healthcare for 6 years. She talks about her involvement in the vaccination programme and how she felt extremely privileged and proud to be part of a programme which was so monumental on a global and national scale.

Karen Ceesay

Eating Disorders Awareness Week: Inspirational story from a former patient

 As part of Eating Disorders Awareness Week, 1-7 March, we spoke to Emily, a former patient, about her experience of suffering with an eating disorder and the help she received to recover.

Emily had started suffering with anorexia from the age of 15. She spent three years getting support from our CAMHS eating disorder service before being supported by our adult service for two years.

Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2021

1-7 March is Eating Disorders Awareness Week, which is an international awareness event, fighting the myths and misunderstandings around eating disorders.

Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses affecting people of all ages, genders, ethnicities and backgrounds. People with eating disorders use disordered eating behaviour as a way to cope with difficult situations or feelings. This behaviour can include limiting the amount of food eaten, eating very large quantities of food at once, getting rid of food eaten through unhealthy means (e.g. making themselves sick, misusing laxatives, fasting, or excessive exercise), or a combination of these behaviours.

As part of this important awareness week, we spoke to Sarah McDonald, Clinical Psychologist for the Trust’s Eating Disorder Service. She spoke about how lockdown has affected people struggling with eating disorders and how you can get help if this relates to you or someone you know.

From health and social care apprentice to a qualified mental health nurse

National Apprenticeship Week (8 to 14 February 2021) celebrates and promotes all that is great about apprenticeships. It gives us a great opportunity to shine a light on our inspiring apprentices.

An apprenticeship combines on the job practical work experience, whilst studying, allowing you to gain experience and achieve a recognised qualification and earning an income.

Amy Clarke, Mental Health Nurse

 

Amy Clarke, Mental Health Nurse and former Health and Social Care Apprentice, takes a look back on her apprenticeship journey.

 

An apprenticeship was the perfect mix of being paid to work and developing my knowledge through university

As we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week (8-14 February) at Nottinghamshire Healthcare, we highlight some of our fantastic apprentices and the value and opportunity apprenticeships bring to individuals and organisations.

Kayleigh Wain - Occupational Therapist Apprentice

Apprenticeships are a great way to learn and gain experience whilst gaining a qualification and still earn. If you’re not sure whether an apprenticeship is right for you then our blog from 26-year-old Kayleigh Wain, Occupational Therapist Apprentice, may inspire you to go down the apprenticeship route.