I struggle to find the words to articulate in a tweet how privileged I feel to have had
@CancerAndQuiff
grace my life
Sadly, Ben has left this life now
My heart is broken
“Love you to pieces… see ya laters”
One action from our team away day today was to set up a secret work buddy system. We all pick a colleagues name from a hat & we become their secret bud. We’re going to look out for our buddy & do discreet & random acts of kindness here & there
#team
#wellbeing
#NHS
#mentalhealth
When I was 22, I was a single parent sharing a room at my mum & dads with my toddler
This is my 22 yr old son, who today picked up the keys to his first home
#Homeowner
1) Just had call from Track & Trace checking in about us isolating due to the lads
#COVID
. After discovering I was a
#mentalhealth
professional I was asked if I could recommend how they could better approach supporting people over the phone re mental wellbeing. Talked about...
2)... occupational balance & structure, physical activity whilst indoors (& for people who don’t have access to garden), activities of daily living. Also recommended some self-help & apps. Nice that the caller wanted to support people around their mental health better
My son has been emailed by
@WestYorksPolice
today to say all his pre-employment checks have now been completed & he’s now just waiting to be notified about which cohort of the Police Constable degree apprenticeship he’ll be joining. Fingers crossed for sooner the better 🤞
Guess there will be a change of bio coming soon 🎉
I’ll shortly be starting a secondment as
#AHP
Workforce Lead. Excited to work across the ICS to help co-create the future of Allied Health Professions
Best of all, still get to work the much respected colleagues that I do now
Just been out walking the dog with my lad (19). White man, late 40s - passed us & shouted “EDL” in my sons face before chuntering some other racial slurs. Tried to maintain a sense of calm for my lad but I’m absolutely raging inside
#RacistBritain
I was going to wait until after work tomorrow to open the fizz. But earlier I got my feedback & results from
@NHSLeadership
for the Rosalind Franklin leadership programme. I did much better than I believed I had so… CHEERS TO THE FAB FACILITATORS
#FranklinProg
#Leadership
#NHS
Decided I’m switching to an electric car. But it’s so mind boggling figuring out how to get a home charging supply fitted which takes into account the government grant?!? 🤯
The lad went for 1:1 at his 1st choice Uni this week following conditional offer he got. He wants to study media & challenge the ethical issues in the industry. Spoke of his passions re equality, animal welfare & planet. He got letter today changing his offer to unconditional❤️
1) Sorry but I have to dispute the
#ACAB
hash tag as being a dangerous & smearing reference to our Police officers. I wanted to make this proud announcement in a more positive context but... My son is waiting for a start date as a Police Constable & I couldn’t be prouder....
I’ll never forget when I carried out a
#mentalhealth
assessment a few years ago for someone who’d recently been filmed for the
#JeremyKyle
show
They were chewed up & spat out by ITV. Exploited. Left with more significant stressors in their life as a result
Zero after-care
Been in touch with new member of staff who is
#Trans
He shared his experience of starting in
@LeedsandYorkPFT
& seeing ops manager
@JeanetteLawson1
wearing her pronouns. Made him feel more confident & reassured he could be himself in his new clinical team
#PinYourPronouns
🏳️⚧️
Yesterday I went to the very spot at Tower Bridge where
@CancerAndQuiff
finished his last fundraising walk. It was an amazing day & I couldn’t have been prouder of him
A random white feather appeared
I then ordered a Margarita (Bens fave cocktail) in the bar we once went to 💚
Wish
@CancerAndQuiff
could have been here in person to see release of his
@BootsUK
@macmillancancer
“Be You” campaign
Such a gorgeous & wonderful man with a magnetic personality who wanted nothing more than to help other men who were living with cancer
Makes me think of story of JFK visiting NASA in early 60s. Whilst there, he approaches employee who is sweeping the floor. He asks the man “what are you doing?” & the man says... “I’m helping put a man on the moon” ⭐️ We’re all contributing to the bigger picture
#WeAreTheNHS
To the man at Maudsley Hospital who cleans the floors
Who always smiles at you & says good morning
Who never has a frown on his face
Who takes great pride in the work that he does
Who leaves the floors shining with a blinding sheen
Thank you from the bottom of my heart ❤
I’m so grateful that my current role includes involvement with our LD services. Its given me such an insight into learning disability nursing. Fabulous nurses making a huge difference to the lives of the people they care for ❤️
Nurses specialise in a range of areas across the NHS, including GP nursing, mental health and learning disabilities. Consider a career that allows you to make a difference to the lives of patients every day — search 'nursing careers' now.
#WeAreTheNHS
No surprise that
#MyGayLife
is drawing out the trolls, homophobes & spineless keyboard warriors spewing their hate.Dont comment & give the pathetic & ignorant excuses for people an opportunity to interact further.Just spread support & love for lovely Billy & his family✌🏼🏳️🌈
Wearing new pin badge on shift today
I’m committed to continually developing own understanding of racism. Also how I use my NHS role & also my place in society as a white person in order to make a difference & be part of a movement to end racism
#WYHRootOutRacism
#Antiracist
Working on
@NHSLeadership
course today & the module is “When things go wrong & don’t go to plan” Very reflective module with some difficult narratives presented at times. Hoping to develop further as a future leader who can be vulnerable & is honest & has integrity
#FranklinProg
Taking the rest of the day off
We’re not ‘professionals’. We’re humans in a frontline job role
When devastating events happen to those we are supporting, we hurt too 😢
#mentalhealth
#NHS
On shift with the Intensive Home Treatment Team today & been dishing out some
@rainbowlypft
pronouns badges & bobbing some in the internal post to other areas too
#PinYourPronounsLYPFT
🏳️⚧️ 🏳️🌈
The teen is power dressing in Paul Smith for his job interview for KFC. He’s been wanting a wkend/evening part-time job for ages & has applied for various roles, sent CVs... but never hears anything more. Fingers crossed this time 🤞
I’m 40 next year and decided I’m going to celebrate all year & plan 40 experiences throughout 2020. Starting big with number 1.... just sent passport details off to get permits for an Inca Trail trek!
#Peru
#Wardys40things
Thank you so much to
@masato_jones
for breathing life back into this gown for me. All in preparation for celebrating the birthday of our much missed
@CancerAndQuiff
at the
@maggiesyorks
charity ball
I can’t wait to pick it up in a couple of weeks
Today I took
#BigTaco
to the work with me as it was the
@RainbowLYPFT
away day. He’s found a day in the life of an NHS worker all so very tiring. So as we all socialise as a group for a little... he is taking the opportunity to have a quick power nap 🌮
Can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed painting my face up tonight in preparation for
@YorkRITemplars
fundraising night for
@macmillancancer
No so just need to work out what to wear!
I’m in
#Camden
& I’ve come to visit the newly established
#VaginaMuseum
It’s a really interesting place which highlights taboos around vaginas & attempts to abolish myths & stigma around periods, sexual health, safe sex. Also info about sex & gender identity
It has been truly wonderful to walk this weekend with
@CancerAndQuiff
& his bro Tom. They reached Tower Bridge in London & officially hit their 300 mile target!
They have raised over £34k this year for both
@macmillancancer
&
@CancerResrch
Such amazing lads 💚
Had much needed time with friends this wkend. Lots of laughs, bonding & reminiscing so very fondly about
@CancerAndQuiff
throughout our time
Back home now. Feeling apprehensive for tomorrow. It doesn’t seem real that our Ben is having a goodbye ceremony. It doesn’t feel fair 😢
Always grateful to
@LeedsandYorkPFT
supporting me to train & become an
#AlliedHealthProfessional
As single parent of a young lad, I wouldnt have been able to afford to Uni back then
Here’s me graduating from inservice
#OT
programme… wearing 2 coats of Fake Bake 😂
#AHPDay
Thank you. Ben hugely valued his identity as a Nurse & loved the career he had in the NHS.
@CancerAndQuiff
was so caring and compassionate & was so very loved by so many colleagues he worked alongside
@themothership22
how lovely is this 💚
@Katewardleeds
We are so sorry for your loss. Ben was one of us,so on behalf of the mental health nursing community, we will remember Ben, who was an exceptional mental health nurse and inspirational human and who did so much for charity towards the end of his time here 💜
1) 19 years ago today, Logan came into my life... like a bowling ball (10lb 😣) I was 21 and in hospital on my own. I’d tell people who would ask that my partner was ‘working away’ because I didn’t want to say anything to anyone otherwise. I was feeling excited to meet my boy...
Tonight we will celebrate the life of one of the most beautiful, caring & considerate people & who I had the privilege of calling my mate
@CancerAndQuiff
would have turned 43 today
In the words of our Ben, we will “Go dance that dance” at
@maggiesyorks
ball tonight 💚
A 17-year old contacted me today for NHS careers advice. She’s found it difficult to get career guidance via other avenues. I have such a soft spot for our youngsters. We chatted & I so hope the connections & information I gave them open a door to their aspirations
#WeAreTheNHS
A highlight of Zanzibar… visiting the rescued sea turtles at the sanctuary in the local village. These will be released back into the ocean in February
#Zanzibar
🇹🇿
Had my second
#AstraZeneca
#CovidVaccine
yesterday & other than a tender arm (wouldn’t even call it sore) I’m totally fine. Last time I felt like I had a bad hangover, few chills & craved the sofa. This time I was up, fresh & ready for my shift 👍🏼
Watching
#Halftime
& I love
@JLo
even more. She’s so beautiful, so talented, a loving mum, a strong Latina woman. She’s fought oppression & objectification. Been judged as a ‘diva’ & ‘difficult’ when she has had to fight harder than others to be heard & respected. What a woman
3 years since we introduced 2
#nursingassociates
into
@LeedsandYorkPFT
workforce. Come March we’ll have 20 NAs working in various settings another 20 in training. 7 are currently topping up their qualification to become
#mentalhealth
#nurse
& 1 will start LD nurse top up in Sep
Tomorrow marks 3 years since the
@nmcnews
register opened to our amazing first nursing associates. So it is my annual call out. Where are you now? Tell me about your career.
Lad came home from work & wanted to chat about S136 as he’s been covering this in his Police Constable training this wk
He asked for advice on how can best support someone when they’re in mental distress & he has responsibility for their safety while on a S136
💙
The lads been struggling to adjust to virtual Uni life. He’s unclear of expectations, stress of constant changes, difficulty getting to know people. Self-doubt creeping in. Tonight said “Can I get a hug” Im glad I can be here to support. Feel for those who are away from home
Just seen on our
@LeedsandYorkPFT
trustwide bulletin that our Physical Health Team are putting on a raft of ward staff training re physical health monitoring, recognising deteriorating people & oxygen therapy training. Hats off to them 👏
#COVID
ー19
#Mentalhealth
#COVID19
#NHS
For anyone isolating at home & needing a shop... I couldn’t get a slot with any of the supermarket apps for a week or more. But you can get a Morrison’s shop via Amazon Prime within a day. And they don’t use plastic bags either 👍🏼
Been a funny week. Just set off to my families for first of my son’ 21st birthday celebrations (bday not until 30th so still got time to get my head around having a 21 yr old 🤯)
Opened door & a big white feather was sat there
I feel it was
@CancerAndQuiff
checking in on me 🥰
Spent a lovely afternoon walking around Fewston & Swinsty reservoir with
@CancerAndQuiff
today. As the sun was going down the mist across the water & through the trees was enchanting
Me & the lad are making
#vegan
Quesadillas tonight. Current affairs have taken their toll on his wellbeing this week. He’s handed over his phone & says he wants me to keep it for a couple of weeks when he hopes he’ll have his mojo back
Feels good to be picking back up
@RainbowLYPFT
work. It’s needed more now than ever. Today I’ve been setting up a meeting to take place next wk between other
#NHS
trusts, Public Health
@yorkshiremesmac
&
@FlamingosLeeds
to discuss LGBT+ access to the COVID vaccine
Woke up today feeling such sadness for
#RichardOkorogheye
mum Evidence. Had little cry. I can’t begin to imagine what her pain is like. Richard sounded like such a beautiful, bright son who was loving, intelligent, focused. Like many, I wanted him back with his mum so so much 😢
Been on leave today. Felt so flat this morning. Was hard to get myself going. Been thinking lots about my friends. So walked to the ‘big ASDA’ & bought new gorgeous diffusers for round house & treated myself online to new LED anti-ageing contraption which should arrive soon 🤣
Talked to 1st year
@UniversityLeeds
students today about issues re diversity, inclusion, equality in
#NHS
They engaged well, asked curious questions, showed empathy compassion & commitment to be inclusive in their practice. My parting words were... “Be the change the NHS needs”💙
Bye bye Community Mental Health Team!!! I’ve really enjoyed the last 5+ years of being a care coordinator and will always look back fondly on them. But it’s now time to take the leap and take on a new job! Out with the old... in with the new (after a bit of leave!)
#mentalhealth