NHS Stories – Celebrating 75 Years of the NHS
To celebrate 75 years of the NHS, we are sharing stories of how the NHS has inspired us. We begin with our wonderful team, who together can count over 75 years of service across the NHS.
Sarah Knowles – Talent Programme Officer
When did you start in the NHS? 2008
Why did you choose to work in the NHS? After deciding journalism wasn’t for me, I joined the NHS as a project assistant on the recommendation of my mam who had a 40 year career as a biomedical scientist and manager at Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. I was amazed by the range of careers within the NHS and the opportunities to develop a range of skills and experience. I’ve stayed in the NHS ever since as the NHS values really resonate with me and I love being part of a service that is there for us all throughout our lives.
Describe what you do in 100 words? I currently work at NHS England as Talent Programme Officer. My role is to design, implement and support talent management interventions within the North East and Yorkshire region to ensure that we have the strongest pipeline of future executive leaders. My current areas of work include the North East and Yorkshire Aspirant Executive Director Talent Pool and Executive Development Pathway. This involves commissioning and delivering support to individuals who aspire to be an executive director such as executive coaching, psychometric diagnostics and leadership development.
What do you most enjoy about your role? I love supporting our people to reach their potential and become the future leaders of the NHS.
How would you describe the NHS in one word? Inspiring!
Deb Whalen – Senior Programme Manager Leadership & Lifelong Learning
When did you start in the NHS? October 1988
Why did you choose to work in the NHS? I wanted to feel that I was doing a job that made a difference to others, so applied to do nurse training. The original plan had been to then go on to do midwifery and I still regret not doing that.
Describe what you do in 100 words? I became a nurse to make a difference, and to look after people. Over the years my role has changed but not that motivation; now I look after the people that look after the people.
I firmly believe that everyone deserves the chance to recognise and reach their potential and through being part of the NHS Leadership Academy I am proud to have been part of the team that created learning opportunities for thousands of our NHS staff.
What do you most enjoy about your role? Hearing people’s stories and making connections – it is difficult sometimes since so much of our work is now over virtual platforms, but it is always worth the effort.
How would you describe the NHS in one word? supercalifragilisticexpealidotious
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Claire Carrick – Leadership Development Coordinator
When did you start in the NHS? 2012
Why did you choose to work in the NHS? I wanted to work somewhere where I was making a difference to people’s lives.
Describe what you do in 100 words? I support the planning, recruitment and marketing of the Academy’s Leadership Development and Coaching and Mentoring programmes. I am also trained in psychometric and 360 assessment tools, supporting people to be their best selves.
Another part of my role involves the recruitment of the Mary Seacole Local programme. This is a 6 month leadership development programme designed to develop knowledge and skills in leadership management. I support local facilitators in the delivery and support participants during and throughout the programme.
What do you most enjoy about your role? I enjoy connecting with new people and helping them to develop their skills and talents further.
How would you describe the NHS in one word? Caring
Uzma Hussain – Leadership Development Manager
When did you start in the NHS? 2007
Why did you choose to work in the NHS? Working for the NHS has taught me that the smallest things can make the biggest difference to people development. I work with the most amazing people, focusing patient care.
Describe what you do in 100 words? My role is to prepare current and future leaders to perform effectively in their roles. Leadership development enables employees to improve their skills, develop and train to provide first class patient care.
What do you most enjoy about your role? The Personal satisfaction and personal commitment, that comes from knowing that you have contributed to positive impact and culture change and development of an individual, team and organisation.
How would you describe the NHS in one word? Caring
Emma Reynolds – Leadership Development Administrator
When did you start in the NHS? 2013
Why did you choose to work in the NHS? I started as a work experience/volunteer receptionist at an Education Centre. I was over the moon when this became a full-time role, and after a few more NHS roles in different areas, I later returned to the NHS in 2021 as an Organisational Development Administrator. I work for the NHS because I want to do a job that benefits society – and also enables me to develop and learn.
Describe what you do in 100 words? I support the Leadership Development, Coaching & Mentoring and Organisational Development workstreams, as well as the Ops team. This includes supporting programmes and events, comms and data.
What do you most enjoy about your role? Being creative.
How would you describe the NHS in one word? Multifaceted.
Glenn Sheard – Leadership Development Coordinator
When did you start in the NHS? May 2016
Why did you choose to work in the NHS? I wanted a rewarding career that felt like it “meant something” and had an impact. The NHS ethos and values closely aligned with my own.
Describe what you do in 100 words? I’ve had varied roles during my time in the NHS, starting in Health Education England in Business Support as an administrator, supporting the Dean & Deputy Deans, supporting our EDI lead, working with Programme Support across multiple specialties & moving into being involved in the Primary Care School.
I now support the training and development of NHS Future Leaders primarily through the Graduate Management Training Scheme but also through supporting our wider work in the North East & Yorkshire Leadership Academy. I ensure the quality of our NHS GMTS placements whilst supporting all the trainees, managers and stakeholders involved.
What do you most enjoy about your role? I enjoy having the opportunity to engage with colleagues across the breadth of the NHS and see first-hand the development of our NHS people landscape.
How would you describe the NHS in one word? Invaluable
Stephanie Wilton – Interim Business Officer
When did you start in the NHS? October 2011 (As an apprentice)
Why did you choose to work in the NHS? My role before joining the NHS was to care for and support parents and children. I wanted to continue this passion but in a slightly different way by being part of a team that supports and develops leaders and managers within the NHS in order to help improve our culture and better outcomes for patient care.
Describe what you do in 100 words? I am currently on secondment in the role of Business manager which sees me lead on business management across the North East and Yorkshire including planning and performance, procurement and finance. Day to day I manage financial budgets, keep our Business plans up to date, work with our stakeholders, support communication and the wider team. I work closely with the Leadership and Lifelong Learning team, coordinating and supporting various Leadership and Management interventions and Programmes. I particularly enjoy managing our very talented Ops team, where we continuously look for new ways to work and improve our processes.
What do you most enjoy about your role? The variety of work and the relationships I’ve made with many people with the same values and commitment to the NHS as my own.
How would you describe the NHS in one word? Amazing!
Michael Ziki – Positive Actions Inclusion Coordinator
When did you start in the NHS? April 2019
Why did you choose to work in the NHS? I felt it was a fair and safe place to work and the ideal place to bring my full self to work
Describe what you do in 100 words? I support and coordinate leadership programmes within our region and facilitate learning relations by having system conversations to identify learning needs.
What do you most enjoy about your role? The engagement piece with the system, and the richness of information to inform decisions.
How would you describe the NHS in one word? Evolving