Where did you start your career?
I trained at a large children’s hospital and then worked on paediatric wards and in Accident and
Emergency. I gained a wide range of clinical skills from giving chemotherapy to stitching wounds.
What drew you to The Children’s Trust?
It’s very different to a hospital where children come in, get treated and go. Here you can spend time with the children building up a bond. You discover their little quirks, likes and dislikes, and you can build on that to benefit their treatment.
What’s a typical day for you?
There’s no such thing! As a nursing team, our focus is on working closely with the therapy team and medical team to deliver the all-round care each child needs. It’s such a close-knit way of working.
Has working here helped you build on your nursing skills?
Yes. Having more time to care means I can draw on my wider skills including empathy and listening. I now have a deep knowledge of brain injury and its impact, and how to support children effectively through rehabilitation.
Is there ongoing training for you?
The Children’s Trust is known as a centre of excellence and our team is at the forefront of delivering specialist care. As well as a full
induction, we have regular, ongoing training. Within a month or two I was running shifts as standard, which gave my confidence a big boost.
What’s the working environment like?
Fantastic! The facilities are second-to-none and I work in a beautiful setting at Tadworth Court, Surrey. I’ve built such close relationships with my colleagues too, we really pull together as a team. That’s been so important with all the extra challenges around COVID-19.
What makes The Children’s Trust special?
For the children and families who come to Tadworth, it can be their home for many months. So we make it warm and welcoming. We build therapy into each child’s day, making it as much fun as possible. These are tough times and there may be tears, so our team helps raise hope and smiles too.
