Laura

Lotus Ward provides specialist care and treatment to young people who have complex mental health needs. It offers young people access to private outdoor spaces, a gym, dedicated activity rooms and classrooms, all of which are vital to promote young people’s independence and recovery.

Laura’s day-to-day role involves looking after young people and providing therapeutic engagement. She also administers medication and has daily review meetings with the team. As well as supporting service users, Laura supervises and looks after staff.

She has worked in children’s services for the majority of her career, spending a brief spell on an adult ward and knowing she wanted to return to working with young people.

Laura knew she wanted to be a nurse from a young age. “I can’t remember ever wanting to do anything different,” she said.

“I knew from early on I wanted to work with young people with eating disorders. One of my childhood friends had an eating disorder and I wanted to be able to make a difference.”

For Laura, the best thing about her job is working closely with young people and seeing them recover.

“I find it easier to establish a rapport with young people and you can really see how you’re helping them. It can be hard work but it’s definitely worth it.

“Working in inpatient services is extremely rewarding. You see people at their most unwell and I feel you’re able to give that continuity of care seeing someone every day, rather than just once a week.”

Laura joined Lotus Ward from a different NHS Trust. She said: “I had to get used to a lot of new policies and procedures but the support I’ve had from my line manager has been amazing.”

CNTW is a leading provider of mental health and disability services in the North East and north Cumbria.