A cleaner who began working at Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) more than 10 years ago is now supporting teenagers with mental health needs after qualifying as an Occupational Therapist.
Pamela Stevens overcame a number of personal challenges to complete a degree apprenticeship earlier this year and now works on Poplar ward, a child and adolescent mental health unit in Rochford.
As part of Occupational Therapy Week, which takes place from 3 to 7 November, the NHS is shining a light on the vital work of Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants who support people who have difficulties carrying out day-to-day activities because of a disability, illness, trauma, ageing, and a range of long-term conditions.
Pamela began her career at EPUT more than ten years ago as a cleaner, before taking on a support worker role, and eventually working on Poplar ward, an inpatient ward for young people aged 13 to 18.
Pamela has always been passionate about working with young people. She said: “During my time as a support worker, I worked in different areas and had a mixture of experience. However, I have always been drawn to supporting young people. When I was younger, I loved working with young people at Camp America. I really enjoy working with teenagers. I get huge job satisfaction from feeling that I have made a difference to their futures.”
Pamela moved into an activities coordinator role on the ward, and her manager was keen for her to keep developing her skills. She said: “I started exploring different professions. I looked into nursing, but it didn’t quite fit with what I wanted to do. I was drawn to occupational therapy after caring for family members with their physical health. I have always wanted to help people.
“My matron asked if I would like to shadow some occupational therapists on a six-week placement. I was pleased to have that time, and that the Trust wanted to invest in my future. I loved it, and I knew occupational therapy was what I wanted to do.”
Pamela undertook a degree apprenticeship through the Trust, during which she spent some of her time studying at university, and the rest of her time on practical placements in different departments and with the local council.
Pamela faced some personal challenges whilst completing her apprenticeship. She said: “While completing the apprenticeship I was diagnosed with dyslexia. The Trust was really supportive throughout my assessment and diagnosis and I took a six-month academic break before re-joining the course with the following cohort of students.”
During her course, Pamela also received the incredibly difficult news that a close family member had been diagnosed with cancer. Pamela spent time caring for them while also carrying out her studies.
She said: “It has been a rocky and bumpy road to completing my apprenticeship. But the family member was my one of my biggest supporters, she got to see me finish and I know she would be really proud of me.”
EPUT offers a range of apprenticeships to current staff – both clinical and non-clinical – through which they can develop their careers. For Pamela, the apprenticeship route offered the right way of learning for her.
She said: “I have already been to university and have another degree. With the apprenticeship route I could learn something at university on Thursday, and by Friday I could put it into practice on my placement. I am a very practical person, and that way of learning has been invaluable.
“There is a saying that occupational therapy isn’t all just ‘glitter and glue’ and that’s absolutely true – as I learnt more about it I saw how much more complex it is than people may perceive it to be. I love that it’s so diverse and that care can be tailored to the person’s individual physical and mental needs.”