Before joining the Priory Group’s Ty Catrin mental health unit, Gemma had studied Business at university and was climbing the career ladder in marketing working as a Senior Marketing Executive for an IT company.
“I liked the company I was working for but the work began to lack meaning for me,” remembers Gemma. “I knew I wanted to do something different and decided to retrain as a counsellor.”
Gemma looked into retraining and realised that she would ideally need some experience working with people requiring help to cope with mental illness. She applied for a job as a Healthcare Support Worker at Ty Catrin, a low secure mental illness and personality disorder service in Cardiff.
“They gave me an opportunity and I’ve been here two years now. I help to run the ward each day, observing and interacting with patients, helping them with difficult days and giving them as much support as possible.”
The switch from marketing to healthcare was a massive change for Gemma and she had her doubts about taking the leap.
“I wasn’t sure about it as I had no idea whether I was capable of doing the role or if I’d be any good at it. But I’ve really enjoyed it, right from the start. You realise quickly that everyone needs support sometimes and I’m just glad I can be there to help.”
“I love the thought that I may be able to make a difference. I can’t make huge changes to people’s lives, but if I can help them through the dark days by listening when they’re anxious, distracting them to make them laugh or just through a friendly smile, then I can be proud that I’ve made even the smallest of differences.”
Gemma was nominated for a Cavell Star Award for going above and beyond for her team mates during the recent Covid-19 pandemic. Colleague and Ward Manager Michelle Mason explains,
“Gemma is the most amazing Healthcare Support Worker that I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. Our hospital has been hit hard by Covid-19 and Gemma has continued to show a bright and positive outlook. Despite working in an extremely stressful and difficult environment, Gemma brings light and when she enters the ward, the whole atmosphere is lifted. Colleagues appear relieved to see her because I genuinely believe they feel safer when she is on duty. She brings a sense of security.
“In this environment, you don’t often get much reward for what you do, and I feel Gemma deserves recognition for what she does on a daily basis.”
Gemma reacted to winning her award,
“I don’t think I deserve it! I’m always keen to say that everyone has worked hard and I’ve done nothing special. But it’s really nice at the same time to be recognised by your colleagues in this way.
“We all get each other through the day and we have a good team spirit. We’re here for each other as well as being here for the patients. It can be hard sometimes but that’s why we do the job. I feel what I’m doing now matters to people and that means so much more to me.”