Celebrating Mother's Day at CWPT | Talking #TeamCWPT blog

For Mother's Day, we talked to members of staff who work with their mums! Joel and Karen Shetliffe, and Rose Fernando and Fleur Greening shared what it's like getting to work together at CWPT.

Joel Shetliffe, Team Secretary/Administrator:

I have always been inspired by my amazing mum, who has worked in the Trust for almost 30 years - an incredible achievement she's proud of. Her passion for mental health, administration and helping others sparked my interest in the NHS. In 2021, I decided to explore opportunities and came across a customer service apprenticeship. My mum helped me apply, shared the pros and cons and explained the career path I could follow if I committed to it.

Throughout my NHS career, my mum has been my biggest cheerleader. From Apprentice, Recruitment Assistant and now as a Physical Health Secretary at band 3. The relationships she's built with colleagues over the years are unmatched and they've even benefited me! It's true what they say: It's who you know, not what you know." I celebrate my mum every day, not just on Mother's Day. If anyone needs a motherly figure, Karen Shetliffe is your woman.

Karen Shetliffe, Medical Secretary:

Joel was at a time when he had finished college, was working in hospitality, didn't know what to do with his life and what direction it was going in. I think it was Joel that mentioned the Trust's apprenticeships. I encouraged him to apply and he was successful. I am incredibly proud of him as he won Apprentice of the Year 2021 after a short time with the Trust. Since then, he's thrived, moving from recruitment to his current role as Secretary for the Physical Health team (Community Mental Health).

I've worked for the Trust for nearly 29 years in various administration roles and it's been a rewarding career.

That is why I knew it would be a great opportunity for Joel and I hope he sees this as a promising future for himself, too.

Rose Fernando, Community Support Worker Apprentice:

I knew that I wanted to progress my career after the end of lockdown, but didn't feel like university would be a good fit for me. My mum was really supportive and she told me about the apprenticeships that the NHS offers.

I have always admired my mum's role in the NHS and how she has been able to help people through things. Therefore, I decided that wanted to follow in her footsteps, as she is my biggest hero.

She helped me throughout my application progress and I am so glad that I made the choice to join CWPT. I have loved being a Support Worker for the Enablement Pathway team and being able to help others improve their mental wellbeing, as my mum has always done for me.

Fleur Greening, Transformation Programme Manager:

I had been talking to Rose about potential career paths, as they were working as a chef in a care home and wanted to help people. Rose has always been very caring and empathetic. They are autistic and have had a lot of life experience, having been through some very tough times for their age.

Having worked in the NHS for over 10 years, I knew how supportive the Trust was of neurodiversity and mental health. Rose carefully considered the options and applied for an apprenticeship in community mental health.

I supported them, but I wanted to ensure they knew the job would be earned on their own merit. When they got an interview, we were overjoyed. After they secured the job, we celebrated by shopping for work outfits that reflected Rose's colourful personality.

It's been wonderful to see how well Rose is supported in the team at CWPT.

When they won Apprentice of the Year, I was so proud, considering the challenges they faced in the past. Now, Rose is planning a long-term career in the NHS and I couldn't be happier for them.