It was at least 8 or 9 years ago that the phrase Knackered Nurses, Tired Teachers and Shattered Souls came to mind. At the time I hadn’t long qualified as a Children and Young People’s Nurse and I was full of hope and inspiration about how I could make a difference working as a Nurse.
Having worked in hospitals, across education and social care as well as regionally and nationally, I’ve pretty much seen it all. Sadly this means that much of that hope and inspiration I had has been eroded along the way. From managing children’s airways, delivering training and discussion/support groups around children, young people and staff’s mental health, to chairing regional and national meetings on everything from workforce challenges to safeguarding; It’s been a whirlwind of a career having come into nursing later than most at the age of 29.
Having seen the very best and the very, very worst of human beings as a child, Nurse, Mother (I’ve been a mum since I was 18) and person and having listened to, read and analysed more policies, plans and priorities across education, health and social care than I wish to remember, one thing is crystal clear; those that work tirelessly to support and enable others are always the last to care for themselves or to be cared for.
So, I thought I’d do what I could to see if what I’ve believed all these years is really true; that it’s the population, professionals and people working with those in need that really have the potential to create the change they want and need.
So, I am asking you as a person who by my reckoning, will have been supported and enabled by at least 1 or 2 really good Knackered Nurses, Tired Teachers or Shattered Souls in your lifetime to support those that supported you and those you care about. (I know they’re not all perfect and some really should have chosen a different path but on the whole we’re not a bad bunch).
There are two ways you can offer your support:
The first is: the next time you find yourself in need of care and support, ask the person if they’ve had a break in the last 3-4 hours and if they say no tell them you’ll wait 5 minutes whilst they go and breathe a little, maybe even treat themselves to a wee and a drink or a snack. This is especially important for those working in care homes and hospitals because the chances of those you care about receiving safe care significantly increases when the person looking after them has been offered and enabled to take breaks that they’re legally entitled to.
The second way is: to donate to this page and I will personally see that every penny is spent on supporting Knackered Nurses, Tired Teachers and Shattered Souls. So often the practical support that people need is missing, whether funding for treatments is not readily available (or accessible in a timely way) such as acupuncture, psychotherapy, reflexology, reiki etc or healthy food for families, rest and recovery time away for a holiday or even just a new plant to brighten up a room in temporary accommodation for someone having just escaped an abusive relationship.
Here are three of the key projects I aim to establish as and when I can raise sufficient funds:
1.I’ll create a Rest and Recovery Fund that will enable people and professionals to take more control over their own wellbeing and the improvements they want and need in their lives.
2.I’ll set up a way for people to donate therapy sessions, professional skills, holiday and temporary accommodation, and healthy food that those in need can access either for free or at a greatly reduced cost.
3.I’ll set up an online community that will allow for professionals from a variety of disciplines, and the people they support, to collaborate more effectively, share challenges, ideas and resources, and create new ways of working.
So, will you help me support, enable and encourage those that we all need most right now? Even if it’s just the cost of a cup of coffee, a new lipstick or a weekly newspaper. You see, just like all the little things wonderful people do that go unnoticed everyday, if everyone contributes what they can, then together we can make the biggest difference. So if you can, I hope you will.
If you are a Knackered Nurse, Tired Teacher or Shattered Soul (which is anyone anywhere that feels alone, sad, exhausted or just in need of a little calm in the chaos) please hang on because you are not alone, I see you, I hear you and I care about you.
I hope wherever you are and whatever you're doing you can find moments of calm in the chaos, strength in the sadness and peace in the panic.
Look after yourself because it's the only way we have the capacity to support, enable and encourage other's to become the best and strongest version of themselves. When we're all the brightest and best version of ourselves is when the world will become bright again.
