: About Me

 I have been a qualified psychiatric nurse for 22 years now and have worked both in the UK and New Zealand.

Presently I work as a unit manager in an NHS stepped care Rehabilitation unit.

Previous roles have encompassed all sectors of the care industry including Primary Care, tertiary care, the private sector:

I have worked in Management and overseas, as a Clinical Nurse Specialist. My previous roles have enabled me to work as an honorary distance lecturer to a number of Universities.

My interests are in promoting positive mental health and offering education and service development both within the health organisation (statutory and private sector) and to the general public. Additionally, I am passionate to the philosophy of continual change within health and to systems dedicated to ensuring it. In the past this included devising clearer innovative care pathways and access to services; presently it is in the pursuit of intelligent skills knowledge within the workforce. I am committed to reducing the stigma and outmoded views of others both within the service and within the wider community. My work is very important to me and I believe I possess many attributes that make me a good Mental Health Nurse and an exceptional manager. This includes Empathy, Compassion, Intuition and Creativity. I am pragmatic yet organised. In addition I place much value on integrity and morality in myself and in others. My experience enables me to act not only as a competent and safe clinician but also in a consultative role to immediate and to more remote colleagues. This includes offering both formal and informal training.

I strive to retain a clinical focus to my work; presently self funding my training to become accredited as an EMDR practitioner.

On a personal note, I am 41 years of age, was very happily married, but sadly now widowed after my darling wife Paula died in April 2011 from cancer.  She was my soulmate and my truest friend; I will remain deeply affected by her passing, but also forever enriched by the joy of being with her and sharing an incredible and passionate journey. Together we have two children, Nathan (12yrs) and Isaac (9yrs). I adore them.

I am a practicing Buddhist and believe passionately that leading a spiritual path of mindfulness, meditation and compassion apart from helping me personally to cope with tremendous loss and suffering, can also significantly reduce the suffering of others. This does not however exclude me from leading a life of modern convenience and technology.

I'm also a very keen cyclist so my articles may stray from time to time into more energetic pursuits!

My passion is ...

My family and our health

I know too much about ...

Obsolete computer gear and cycle maintenance, quantum mechanics, Lancia

My parents always told me ...

Don't be too self disclosing.

My childhood ambition ...

To build a space rocket from wood and stuff in the garden.

My favorite memory ...

Seeing my two boys playing happily together. Oblivious to the admiring glances of passers by and to the woes of the world.

Why I write ...

To make a difference and to make a point.

What I am reading/watching/listening to ...

French Revolutions, Tim Moore

My first job ...

Selling fake (sorry; "budget alternative") perfumes whilst at college.

My best moment ...

Realising that I am actually happy with my lot.

My inspiration ...

I am inspired by many things in the natural world and in people: compassion, courage, humour, passion, love and integrity.

Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Memories of you

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Each lonely beat of my restless heart bears a memory. The hugs we shared that I wished would never end. The picnic in the car, in the rain. The times you beat me at scrabble; again. The rush of your warm love surrounds me. Flowing deep inside without a pause for my human form. The times we held each other close feel but a breath away, In death we hold each other closer; in stillness and solitude. We shared a oneness with life, we can never separate. One of times past and of feelings shared A love not born of naïve passion, nor mutual need. I am with you always darling&n...

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Writing:

Rating:

• Marketplace Approved Writer
• Registered Nurse
• Helium Charter Member