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Progression is not just professional, it's personal too
While LinkedIn is often a place to showcase career achievements and networking, I believe true growth happens when we nurture our personal interests. For me, that means playing the alto saxophone 🎷
Having a passion outside of work is a great way to stay motivated and creative and it's a great way to clear your mind after a busy day or week at work.
Whether it's music, art or sport, finding something that brings you joy can fuel both your personal and professional life and enable you to have a positive growth mindset.
What activities do you enjoy outside of the workplace?
#PersonalGrowth #WorkLifeBalance #AltoSax
What if? .....
What if… today was the day you saved a life? 18 years ago this August, I came close to dying. A severe postpartum haemorrhage nearly took my life — but thanks to the generosity of blood donors, I’m still here. Strangers gave blood. That blood gave me life. Today, NHS England has launched an urgent call for one million new donors to secure the nation’s blood supply. Stocks are low, and lives depend on it. If you're healthy and able, please consider donating. The outcome in my story could have been so different. But thanks to blood donors — it wasn’t. Thank you to every blood donor out there. You are true life savers. 🛟 #raisingawareness #blooddonation #childbirth #PostpartumHaemorrhage #GiveBlood #RealLifeHeroes #NHSBloodDonation
SHRN report
As an office based education professional, I’m nearing the start of my annual leave. This is something I’m very much looking forward to. A well earned chance to rest, recharge, and come back refreshed for the new academic year in September.
As the term ends, I can’t help think about students who struggle through the summer. For many, it’s a time of increased loneliness, reduced access to (healthy) food, and fewer opportunities for physical activity. For some, it means spending weeks in environments that are far from safe, happy, or nurturing.
The summer holidays are a reminder of the inequalities and challenges that exist in the whole of the U.K. These figures are not just results on families receiving social security benefits, these are families who work full time, but do not qualify for any support.
The 2023 School Health Research Network (SHRN) report paints a sobering picture. It highlights the declining mental health in the youth, their physical wellbeing, and emotional support among students. It’s well worth a read.
As we head into summer, we should have knowledge of the facts, reflect and act on how we can support the most vulnerable students - not just during term time, but all year round.
#mentalhealth #summerholidays #youthmentalhealth #emotional #demographic #costofliving
Breaking the Stigma Around Support Staff in Education
Working in education and in a support staff role is not an easy job.
There’s a lingering misconception among some educators that office staff are not qualified individuals, sometimes even looked down on — but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
We are 'qualified' to do the jobs we do. Many of us have taken different career paths, but that doesn't diminish our qualifications, skills, knowledge, or experience. Our work is vital to keeping schools running smoothly, supporting students, staff, and parents alike.
It’s time to recognise the value we bring — not just with words, but with pay and opportunities that reflect our qualifications and the dedication we pour into our roles every day.
Support staff are the backbone of education too. Let’s break the stigma and start giving credit where it’s due.
#EducationSupport #SupportStaff #SchoolSupportStaff
