I am currently a mental health nurse (RMN) working in a specialist community-based service where I can support a wide range of patients and their families across Doncaster with challenges that they face when experiencing mental health symptoms and/or presentations. That means I get to see people grow and develop creating positive changes to their lives and achieving their goals by talking and listening to them. I mean what could be better than realising you have made a positive impact on somebody’s life? For me, nothing is better.

I have worked in health and social care settings for over ten years; starting as a support worker in third party organisations, to being a health care assistant in physical health hospitals. My passion is to help people with overcoming barriers to accessing person-centred trauma informed care that not only is treatment focused, but encompasses all aspects of their lives.

Whilst working as a nursing assistant in forensics, I decided to pursue a career as a mental health nurse so I could be involved with providing robust support and care to patients.

During my time as a student nurse, I joined the RCN mainly for the library access if I am being honest. However, due to the COVID pandemic, things quickly changed and left students with no placements, online lectures, and uncertainty about our future. One day whilst looking at ways I could support my peers, I came across RCN articles that spoke about supporting members through challenging times and decided that I would enquire for support. Looking back, this was a decision that changed the trajectory of my life and empowered me to stand up and believe I could make change.

I spoke with the RCN about things I could do to support student nurses and with their support I managed to create change and improve the student experience. For this I was recognised and received the Student Ambassador of the Year Award 2023, and I was introduced to members fighting for the rights of all RCN members and the wider healthcare industry. I am still in awe of the people I have met on the way: from actual policy makers, local and national nurses, to people working at every stage of healthcare, and even people I saw on the news a few minutes ago.

I am currently the treasurer of my local branch, a steward and a Yorkshire and Humber Board Member which allows me to actively discuss issues facing my colleagues across the UK. I have represented my branch at Congress for three years and each time I have had opportunities to learn and develop my professional knowledge and skills. I have also spoken on stage during debates about the importance of person-centred care especially within communities that are often marginalised in health and social care, and I encourage everyone to use their voice.

I was elected to the Yorkshire & the Humber Board in March 2025 and attended my first board meeting in June. Beforehand, I was anxious and unsure if I would have anything to contribute, but at the meeting I was welcomed and really felt part of the team. I felt empowered to speak about members’ experiences, thoughts and feelings and to ask questions confidently.

The Board is made up of a range of experiences including members working in acute and mental health NHS organisations; independent health and social care; all with different areas of activism and interests. All RCN members are represented within the meeting, with some members at the start of their career, some towards the end of their career, but all contributing and making informed decisions.

As a board member I am involved in discussions around the strategic, operational, and financial plan for the Yorkshire and Humber region. I am also an advocate for members ensuring their voices and opinions are heard, and develop ideas, projects, working groups to meet the objectives of the RCN and its members. I am a voting volunteer actively involved in the RCN’s pay campaign, and actively use the Nursing Workforce Standards in my Trust.

Observe a Board meeting

Did you know that any RCN member can attend their regional board meeting as an observer?

Observing a board meeting is a great opportunity to find out about the work of the RCN in your region, and learn about the RCN’s governance processes.

If you’d like to observe our next board meeting on Friday 11 September, please contact the Yorkshire & the Humber regional team.