Life After Public Service

• Reflections on 30 Years in the NHS and the Path Forward

  In this episode, Donna reflects on her impending departure from a 30-year career in the NHS as a registered nurse. She shares her emotional journey over the past six months, discussing the challenges of burnout, the increasing pressures on healthcare services, and the impact of institutionalization on public servants. Donna also highlights the need for better communication and patient advocacy in the evolving healthcare landscape, expressing her concerns for the future of the NHS. KEY TAKEAWAYS After a long career in the NHS, Donna reflects on the emotional rollercoaster of leaving a profession that has been a significant part of her life, likening it to a grieving process. It's important to recognise when one is overwhelmed. There is a need for resilience among public servants to prevent and recover from burnout. There is a concern about the increasing reliance on technology in healthcare, which may detract from the essential human element of patient care, such as direct observation and communication. The introduction of Martha's Rule in the NHS allows patients and families to call for a rapid review when they feel a patient is deteriorating. BEST MOMENTS "I suppose I've been through a period of grieving in the last few weeks." "The demand on NHS services in general is just growing and growing and growing." "I think there are lots of people working in the NHS who are probably just a little bit broken by the work that they do." "Martha's Rule gives patients, families, carers, and staff in the hospital an opportunity to phone a number for a rapid review when they feel that their patient is deteriorating." "We've lost the art of communication. We've lost the art of being able to instinctively tell when something's not right." ABOUT THE HOST Donna is a Registered Nurse who has worked in the NHS for three decades. She brings you real-life stories from people in front-line public service roles. Some of the stories discuss war, terrorism, suicide, abuse, COVID, death, and vicarious moral injury, which may be triggering for some listeners. Alongside these are stories of joy, hope, empathy, and humanity, highlighting the positive impact individuals have made. Many of her guests have navigated career changes, found work-life balance, or transitioned into new roles, including charity work or entrepreneurship. If you have a story to share that could inspire others seeking change or additional income, please get in touch. Inviting individuals from fire, police and probation services, healthcare, military, teaching, social services, local government, and civil service. https://www.facebook.com/share/1FjUrwC7qS https://www.lifeafterpublicservice.co.uk/ Email: [email protected] Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-bentley-carr This podcast features real-life stories from frontline public service workers, covering tough topics such as war, trauma and loss, and may be triggering to some listeners. Guests also share their tales of everyday heroism, inspiring joy, hope, empathy and humanity. If you have a story to share that could encourage others seeking change or additional income, please get in touch. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

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• Singe Day's Mission to Improve Lives in Conflict Zones

  In this episode, Donna interviews Singe Day, a former military member turned humanitarian worker. Singe shares his journey from growing up in Oxford with a family background in public service to serving in the parachute regiment and eventually transitioning into international development. He discusses the challenges of adapting to civilian life after the military, the importance of planning, and the skills that transfer between military and humanitarian work. KEY TAKEAWAYS The journey from a military background to a role in humanitarian development can be challenging, as the skills and experiences gained in the military can be both applicable and contrasting in the NGO sector. Having a clear plan for post-service life is crucial. Engaging with experienced professionals in the desired field can provide valuable insights and guidance, helping to navigate the transition effectively. Working in humanitarian contexts often requires resilience and the ability to adapt to rapidly changing and sometimes hostile environments. This skill set is essential for both military personnel and humanitarian workers. Successful humanitarian work involves listening to the needs of the affected communities and ensuring that services, such as water and sanitation, are designed with their input and are accessible to all, including marginalised groups. Establishing sustainable systems in fragile and conflict-affected settings is vital. This includes not only providing immediate relief but also ensuring that local institutions can maintain and manage these systems over time, addressing both infrastructure and financial challenges. BEST MOMENTS "I think there are a number of skills that do transition. There are clearly areas and kind of skill sets that I gained in the parachute regiment that I think are readily applicable to the work I've done since." "You have to avoid making eye contact and go in and just emphasise that all we want to do is supply water and sanitation and help these civilians." "You just have to monitor and understand what the trends are year on year, particularly now with issues of climate change." "I just think that's phenomenal. You can meet up and reminisce and pick up where you left off." "I think you just have to focus on your bit, just try and relieve some of the hassles for people." ABOUT THE HOST Donna is a Registered Nurse who has worked in the NHS for three decades. She brings you real-life stories from people in front-line public service roles. Some of the stories discuss war, terrorism, suicide, abuse, COVID, death, and vicarious moral injury, which may be triggering for some listeners. Alongside these are stories of joy, hope, empathy, and humanity, highlighting the positive impact individuals have made. Many of her guests have navigated career changes, found work-life balance, or transitioned into new roles, including charity work or entrepreneurship. If you have a story to share that could inspire others seeking change or additional income, please get in touch. Inviting individuals from fire, police and probation services, healthcare, military, teaching, social services, local government, and civil service. https://www.facebook.com/share/1FjUrwC7qS https://www.lifeafterpublicservice.co.uk/ Email: [email protected] Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-bentley-carr This podcast features real-life stories from frontline public service workers, covering tough topics such as war, trauma and loss, and may be triggering to some listeners. Guests also share their tales of everyday heroism, inspiring joy, hope, empathy and humanity. If you have a story to share that could encourage others seeking change or additional income, please get in touch. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

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• Karen Marshally's Journey from Teaching to Property Success

  In this episode, Donna speaks with Karen Marshally, co-director of Gold Star Property Group, about her remarkable journey from being a PE teacher to thriving in the property business. Karen shares her childhood passion for sports, her experiences travelling the world with her husband Barry, and the challenges she faced in balancing teaching with family life. KEY TAKEAWAYS The journey from a teaching career to the property business was driven by a desire for more family time and flexibility. The speaker initially pursued teaching after a background in sports and personal training but found the workload challenging, prompting a shift to property. Engaging in property education was crucial for gaining the necessary knowledge and confidence to succeed in the property market. The speaker emphasises the value of understanding various strategies and the importance of continuous learning. Building a supportive community is vital in the property industry. The speaker highlights the benefits of networking with others who share similar goals, which can provide motivation and solutions during challenging times. The shift to property has allowed for greater flexibility in family life, enabling the speaker to spend quality time with their children and engage in family activities without the constraints of a traditional job. This change has significantly improved their work-life balance. BEST MOMENTS "For us, it's just really, really important. To have a community around you that are working towards the same goals and aspirations as yourself." "We always buy run-down houses, but if the right flip project comes along, we're not going to turn that down." "You need to do some education. If you haven't got funds or you have got funds, there's a strategy that will be possible for you." "I was really struggling with all the workload outside of school. I was missing out on things when I was at home." "It's just about educating. You need to have an understanding of what should be happening at what times and the kind of costs that you should be expecting." ABOUT THE HOST Donna is a Registered Nurse who has worked in the NHS for three decades. She brings you real-life stories from people in front-line public service roles. Some of the stories discuss war, terrorism, suicide, abuse, COVID, death, and vicarious moral injury, which may be triggering for some listeners. Alongside these are stories of joy, hope, empathy, and humanity, highlighting the positive impact individuals have made. Many of her guests have navigated career changes, found work-life balance, or transitioned into new roles, including charity work or entrepreneurship. If you have a story to share that could inspire others seeking change or additional income, please get in touch. Inviting individuals from fire, police and probation services, healthcare, military, teaching, social services, local government, and civil service. https://www.facebook.com/share/1FjUrwC7qS https://www.lifeafterpublicservice.co.uk/ Email: [email protected] Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-bentley-carr This podcast features real-life stories from frontline public service workers, covering tough topics such as war, trauma and loss, and may be triggering to some listeners. Guests also share their tales of everyday heroism, inspiring joy, hope, empathy and humanity. If you have a story to share that could encourage others seeking change or additional income, please get in touch. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

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• Connecting the Dots: The Gut-Brain Axis and Its Role in Overall Wellbeing

  In this episode, Donna interviews Lina Kumar, a former podiatrist who transitioned into a career as a registered nutritionist. Lina shares her journey from working in diabetic foot care to exploring the vital connection between nutrition and health. She discusses the challenges faced by patients with chronic conditions and emphasises the importance of preventive care and healthy eating habits. KEY TAKEAWAYS Lina transitioned from a podiatrist specialising in diabetic foot care to a registered nutritionist, driven by her desire to empower individuals to take control of their health through nutrition and lifestyle changes. Lina emphasises the critical link between nutrition and health, noting that many patients she encountered had poor dietary habits that contributed to their health issues, particularly in the context of chronic conditions like diabetes. There is a need for better education around nutrition and healthy eating, advocating for a return to teaching cooking and food preparation skills in schools to foster healthier eating habits from a young age. Lina discusses the interconnectedness of the gut and overall health, including the gut-brain axis, and stresses the importance of addressing lifestyle factors such as sleep, hydration, and emotional well-being in addition to diet. The approach to improving health should be gradual and personalised, focusing on small, manageable changes rather than overwhelming individuals with drastic dietary shifts. BEST MOMENTS "I always wanted to be different to what everybody else was doing. So yeah, that was it." "Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone. It needs to be dealt with quickly with antibiotics, otherwise it could progress to an amputation." "We just do the best that we can with our time and money that we have. It's always about the small steps." "If we take care of our bodies in the right way, with the right support, we shouldn't need to be supported by the NHS massively." "Food is medicine and the pillars of health being a little bit of movement every day, managing your emotions is very, very important." ABOUT THE HOST Donna is a Registered Nurse who has worked in the NHS for three decades. She brings you real-life stories from people in front-line public service roles. Some of the stories discuss war, terrorism, suicide, abuse, COVID, death, and vicarious moral injury, which may be triggering for some listeners. Alongside these are stories of joy, hope, empathy, and humanity, highlighting the positive impact individuals have made. Many of her guests have navigated career changes, found work-life balance, or transitioned into new roles, including charity work or entrepreneurship. If you have a story to share that could inspire others seeking change or additional income, please get in touch. Inviting individuals from fire, police and probation services, healthcare, military, teaching, social services, local government, and civil service. https://www.facebook.com/share/1FjUrwC7qS https://www.lifeafterpublicservice.co.uk/ Email: [email protected] Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-bentley-carr This podcast features real-life stories from frontline public service workers, covering tough topics such as war, trauma and loss, and may be triggering to some listeners. Guests also share their tales of everyday heroism, inspiring joy, hope, empathy and humanity. If you have a story to share that could encourage others seeking change or additional income, please get in touch. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

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• How Jo Hall Turned Redundancy into a Thriving Coaching Business

  In this episode, Donna interviews Jo Hall, a former NHS occupational therapist with over 33 years of experience. Jo shares her journey from clinical practice to senior leadership roles, including her time in commissioning for an Integrated Care Board (ICB). She discusses the challenges she faced after a life-changing breast cancer diagnosis and how it shifted her perspective on life and work. KEY TAKEAWAYS Jo Hall's journey from a clinical role as an occupational therapist to a leadership position in commissioning highlights the diverse career paths available within public service. Her transition into running her own business demonstrates the potential for growth and change after a long career in the NHS. Throughout her career, Jo emphasises the significance of effective communication and building rapport with patients and colleagues. These skills are essential not only in healthcare but also in organisational development and business. Jo discusses the importance of being non-judgmental in her work, particularly when dealing with older adults. Respecting individuals' choices and understanding their unique perspectives is crucial in providing effective care and support. After facing redundancy, Jo initially experienced feelings of rejection but ultimately recognised it as an opportunity to pursue her passion for coaching and business development. This shift in mindset illustrates the importance of embracing change and taking risks for personal and professional growth. Jo's business, "Let's Get On With It," reflects her values of making a positive impact and helping others. She encourages individuals to align their careers with their personal values to find fulfilment and joy in their work. BEST MOMENTS "I think it was more by chance being asked and having people seeing an opportunity. I was always interested in bringing the junior people along." "You think, 'I'll do that when I'm older,' and then something like that happens and suddenly you think, 'Well, I might not ever be older.'" "I just couldn't find myself, I couldn't get back to being who I was. So I just really struggled and I have to say my mental health just went down the pan." "It's almost that feeling of you've had this security for 30-something years, and now you're going into a world where you haven't got that security." "I just think you should, even if it's talking to someone you've not spoken to for a long time or just going out and doing that nice thing that you want to do." ABOUT THE HOST Donna is a Registered Nurse who has worked in the NHS for three decades. She brings you real-life stories from people in front-line public service roles. Some of the stories discuss war, terrorism, suicide, abuse, COVID, death, and vicarious moral injury, which may be triggering for some listeners. Alongside these are stories of joy, hope, empathy, and humanity, highlighting the positive impact individuals have made. Many of her guests have navigated career changes, found work-life balance, or transitioned into new roles, including charity work or entrepreneurship. If you have a story to share that could inspire others seeking change or additional income, please get in touch. Inviting individuals from fire, police and probation services, healthcare, military, teaching, social services, local government, and civil service. https://www.facebook.com/share/1FjUrwC7qS https://www.lifeafterpublicservice.co.uk/ Email: [email protected] Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-bentley-carr This podcast features real-life stories from frontline public service workers, covering tough topics such as war, trauma and loss, and may be triggering to some listeners. Guests also share their tales of everyday heroism, inspiring joy, hope, empathy and humanity. If you have a story to share that could encourage others seeking change or additional income, please get in touch. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

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