Partthree:Lifechanging Light from the darkness

Prior to working for the NHS I was working at HMRC, collecting debt. It was an office-based 9 – 5 dead end job which at the time was not a good culture. When covid struck everyone was asked if they wanted to join the effort to support specific covid related initiatives I decided to volunteer to help out and the next week started work on supporting the furlough payments scheme.

However, it was the way in which work changed, becoming more agile, working from home, Microsoft Team’s meetings etc that was a real culture change for me and my team. It allowed me to re-consider the way I work, and what I prioritise. Having just had my first child six months previously, I wanted her to know that when called, her dad stepped up and helped - her dad helped to change people’s lives.

part of the Graduate Management Scheme, and then at Gateshead a year later. This, we were told, was the most difficult time to join the

Graduate Scheme in its multiple decade history. However this only motivated me more to make a difference. Covid had shown us things could change and more importantly, these changes could work I was determined to be a part of this and no longer accepted leadership that allowed innovation to be squandered.

Although I was not at Gateshead at the beginning of the pandemic...

This was only further developed when I started working for the NHS in March 2021 at another Trust as

This, alongside being a strong role-model for my now two young children, are what’s important to me

The covid pandemic took so much from us such as loved ones, freedom and safety, it also allowed me to spend more valuable time with my children proving that there is even light in a time of such pronounced darkness A world without holidays and hugs is not a world I want to live in again and is certainly not one I wish for my children. The covid pandemic has allowed me to realise that for myself I need to belong in an organisation where these values are lived and encouraged, which is why I am so proud to be a part of Team Gateshead.