I am ready to start this new chapter in my life, going to university as I finish the Access to HE course for Health Professionals at Tees Valley Women’s Centre.
Growing up I never had anyone to encourage me into thinking about a career. I was brought up in a household where there was substance abuse and chaos. Throughout my life I have had to face challenges to get to where I have got to. I left school at the age of 15 with no GCSEs and my life was going nowhere but I refused to give in. I made the choice to join the army and completed my passing out but due to personal reasons I got medically discharged. After being in the army for 7 months helped me with structure and routine. I have worked in several different settings such as the cleaning industry, shop work, café work, and care.
My current job role is working in mental health for TEWV as a support worker. I work alongside other health care professionals and have a variety of different patient types. I work in LD service, forensic service, elderly, PQ wards and acute male and female. I volunteered for a year before I got a place on the bank, I have currently worked in this job role since 2018 and love going to different places and meeting different people.
Coming from a background of addiction and suffering from mental health myself I understand people’s lives and circumstances. I have gained a lot of life skills having two children and dealing with my dad’s suicide, also being a young care giver for my nana from a young age and having to take care of my two younger siblings. I have experience in a life-or-death situation when my daughter was only 18-month-old she choked on a 5 pence piece my initial reaction was to respond and by doing so I saved her life.
I have done training through the NHS such as BLS, Moving and Handling, Positive and Safe Care training VNS training and peg training. I love to help other’s and try to make a difference to someone’s life no matter how big or small. I’m looking forward to this new challenge in becoming who I am meant to be. I want to be an example for my children that no matter what you don’t give up and you can do anything you set your mind to. I’m now going on to university to do Learning Disabilities Nursing.
