Lottie Lee, Clinical Lead Nurse

The environment here is very supportive, with a lot of flexibility – having a work-life balance is taken seriously. My team makes staff wellbeing a priority and everybody wants the best for one another. There are so many learning opportunities, too. You’re encouraged to find learning experiences, whether it’s research, or established therapies and interventions.

Joining the preceptorship programme gave me opportunities to gain new experiences in different services, working Bank shifts across the Trust. After moving into a Band 5 post, my manager and supervisor soon encouraged me to apply for a Band 6 secondment and supported me with courses to strengthen my leadership skills. This means I’m in a great position to help other team members who want to progress.

I have a saying: “If you get a leg up, remember to pass a ladder down” and this is very much my experience here. Everyone I’ve worked with has been helpful and considerate.

Kevin Dury, Perinatal Mental Health Practitioner

I first joined the Trust in 2002 and worked here on and off until 2011. Then after five years

working somewhere else, I came back in 2016. One of the main attractions for me is the range of career opportunities available here. I’ve had the chance to work with a variety of teams in a number of clinical settings. And, since I joined the perinatal mental health team, I’ve received a great deal of training in relation to my work.

The perinatal mental health service is relatively new to the Trust. It was established at the start of 2019, so it feels like I’m part of a service that’s evolving and responsive to the needs of patients and their families. I work in a supportive and varied team, which has a great deal of expertise in relation to perinatal mental health. This means I have plenty of opportunities to learn and develop my skills and knowledge.

Charlotte Mackie, Medical Secretary – Perinatal Mental Health Service

I joined the Trust as a receptionist after leaving college in 2011. Then, after returning from maternity leave in 2019, I became team administrator for the new perinatal mental health service and secretary to the team psychiatrist. I’m really passionate about mental health and enjoyed being able to use the skills and knowledge I’d developed to help set up how the new service worked day-to-day. When I see how caring and compassionate my colleagues are, it’s rewarding knowing that I’m part of it by supporting them.

The Trust supported me in gaining my level 3 certificate in business administration and were very flexible in helping me return to work after I had my baby. I’ve also made some lifelong friends and everyone I’ve met has enhanced my working life. Working here made me realise I wanted a career in the health sector and I’m hoping to study for a degree in leadership and management to take it further.