From Nurse to Mental Health Advocate: Why I Left the NHS to Focus on Wellbeing and Mindfulness
I created Wellbeing Inspire because I’ve lived through the quiet struggles that so many people carry behind the scenes. I’ve seen what happens when stress builds up unchecked, when teams burn out, when people don’t feel seen or heard. And I’ve also seen the transformation that happens when we create space for reflection, understanding, and growth.
This work isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about offering real, human-centred training that helps people feel more connected — to themselves and those around them.
After working as a nurse for over 30 years, I thought I’d retire with my badge, my memories, and my quiet pride in a career that had always been more than just a job. Nursing is a vocation — a calling. But in the end, it was also the reason I reached the breaking point.
I never expected to leave under such circumstances. But burnout doesn’t arrive with a loud announcement. It creeps in quietly, until your body and mind have no choice but to stop.
For many people working in caring professions, the early signs of burnout often go unnoticed — or are dismissed as just part of the job. Long hours, increasing responsibilities, and pressure to keep things running smoothly can build up over time.
When colleagues leave and the workload intensifies, it’s easy to feel solely responsible for holding everything together. Taking time off might feel like a luxury, or even a risk. But eventually, the mind and body demand a pause.
In many cases, this moment of realisation — when the exhaustion can no longer be ignored — marks the beginning of something more profound, such as stress or chronic burnout. It’s a turning point, often difficult but necessary, that prompts the need for change and recovery.
Burnout in Healthcare: You're Not Alone
At the time, I thought it was just me, that I was the one who couldn’t cope.
But recent studies show that:
1 in 4 people will experience a mental health challenge each year.
Burnout and anxiety are rising, particularly in caring professions, education, and leadership roles.
Many employees still don’t feel safe talking about their mental health at work.
The Power of Acceptance
For many of us, the first instinct is to power through. Stress? What stress? we say, while quietly crumbling.
But true change begins with acceptance. It’s the first step to healing.
One quote that helped me greatly is the Serenity Prayer:
“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.”
That became my mantra as I began to reflect deeply on what needed to change — not just in my job, but in how I lived and worked.
What I Did Next
Leaving a job I loved was heartbreaking. But staying was no longer an option.
I decided to retrain in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and learn how to teach mindfulness — both of which had helped me in my recovery. I wanted to give others what I hadn’t known how to give myself at the time: tools to manage stress and prevent burnout.
That’s how Wellbeing Inspire was born.
From Lived Experience to Purposeful Work
Today, I run Wellbeing-Inspire, where I offer:
Mental Health First Aid training to help people recognise signs of mental health issues and respond with compassion
Mindfulness courses that teach practical ways to stay grounded during difficult times
Workplace Stress Management training that shifts culture, reduces stigma, and empowers teams
This isn’t just professional work for me — it’s personal. I know what it feels like to be overwhelmed, and I also know that recovery and transformation are possible with the proper support.
Why This Matters
Mental health is not a luxury. Workplace wellbeing isn’t optional. Whether you’re in healthcare, education, business, or the community sector, stress, burnout, and anxiety are affecting individuals and teams everywhere.
We need safe spaces to talk about it. We need training that’s real, reflective, and compassionate.
At the same time, there’s been a positive shift. More people are open to learning about mental health. More workplaces are recognising that wellbeing isn’t just a perk — it’s essential to performance, retention, and human connection.
But awareness alone isn’t enough. We need practical tools, safe conversations, and compassionate leadership — and that’s where training comes in.
The Power of Acceptance
For many of us, the first instinct is to power through. Stress? What stress? we say, while quietly crumbling.
But true change begins with acceptance. It’s the first step to healing.
One quote that helped me greatly is the Serenity Prayer:
“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.”
That became my mantra as I began to reflect deeply on what needed to change — not just in my job, but in how I lived and worked.
What I Did Next
Leaving a job I loved was heartbreaking. But staying was making me ill.
I decided to retrain in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and learn how to teach mindfulness — both of which had helped me in my own recovery. I wanted to give others what I hadn’t known how to give myself at the time: tools to manage stress and prevent burnout.
That’s how Wellbeing Inspire was born.
From Lived Experience to Purposeful Work
Today, I run Wellbeing Inspire, where I offer:
Mental Health First Aid training to help people recognise signs of mental health issues and respond with compassion
Mindfulness courses that teach practical ways to stay grounded during difficult times
Workplace wellbeing workshops that shift culture, reduce stigma, and empower teams
This isn’t just professional work for me — it’s personal. I know what it feels like to be overwhelmed, and I also know that recovery and transformation are possible with the proper support.
Why This Matters
Mental health is not a luxury. Workplace wellbeing isn’t optional. Whether you’re in healthcare, education, business, or the community sector, stress, burnout, and anxiety are affecting individuals and teams everywhere.
We need safe spaces to talk about it. We need training that’s real, reflective, and compassionate.