We are delighted that some of our colleagues have been named on the “Ribbons” sculpture by Pippa Hale, a recognition of their remarkable contributions to our organisation and the NHS. In celebration, we’ve invited them to share their thoughts and career highlights with us.
Hear from Belinda Archer, our Macmillan Breast Care Nurse and Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist Team Leader, as she tells us how it feels to be included in this incredible piece of art.
How does it feel to be included in the sculpture?
A great honour, but a bit embarrassing to be honest. I’m humbled that someone should think enough of me to nominate me. Many thanks are sent to them I just feel I’m doing my job. I always feel there are many others doing voluntary works and good deeds who deserve recognition.
In your career what achievements have stood out to you the most?
I have loved my nursing career, I’ve had my ups and downs, laughter and tears. Nursing is a team affair!! No-one achieves without others by their side.
One of my standout achievements is passing my exams to be a Nurse. My tutor was a saviour, without his guidance I never thought I would stay in the same job for very long, believing variety is the spice of life, but here I am, a Breast Care Nurse at the Trust. I love the variety of my role, but most of all love the people I work with.
My other biggest achievement is being the first Breast Care Nurse in ĢtvƵ, starting with the Breast Screening Service and then setting up a symptomatic service at the St James’s site, being chosen to lead the team and growing and maintaining that team to this day.
What influenced/why did you choose to have a career in the NHS?
On leaving sixth form college I did not know what to do, I got a job as a dental nurse and the team there told me I was capable of more but what? I asked others what they thought, the world is a rich and wonderful place, there were so many things I would have loved to do. I used to go to the careers officer with about 50 options! I wanted variety, a career pathway with variable options and lots of people said: “you should be a nurse”, “you like and get on with people and your kind”. I listened and I looked at the NHS and it fitted the bill, there are so many pathways available to you in the NHS.
I got a place based on passing an entrance test to go to university, as I did not have the required qualifications to enter. There are many ways now to enter the NHS, not just by going to University, which is great for people wanting a nursing career. Nursing remains a vocation to me and if your heart is in it and you get the help you need you can be the part of the NHS you want to be.
What message would you like to say to the public who nominated yourself to be recognised on this project?
I am very honoured, very humbled and thank you very much for your kindness and thoughtfulness in nominating me.