In this episode, Donna interviews Sharon Birch, a former police officer with a rich history in public service. Sharon shares her journey from growing up in Hartlepool to joining the Metropolitan Police in London during the 1980s, where she faced the challenges of being one of the few female officers at the time. She discusses her experiences in various roles, including her work in domestic violence and child protection units, and reflects on the cultural changes within the police force over the years. After a medical retirement due to health issues, Sharon transitioned into running a children's nursery and eventually pursued her passion for writing.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Sharon Birch grew up in Hartlepool and was influenced by her family's military background, which inspired her to pursue a career in public service, specifically in the police force.

• Joining the police in the mid-1980s, Sharon faced a male-dominated environment with limited female representation. She navigated challenges such as sexism and the expectation to perform certain tasks based on her gender, but she found fulfilment in her work and developed resilience.

• Sharon's career in the police progressed from working in the East End of London to the West End, where she took on roles in crime squads and child protection units. She played a pivotal role in establishing the first domestic violence unit in the Metropolitan Police.

• After medically retiring from the police due to health issues, Sharon pursued her passion for writing. She began by writing short stories and eventually published books under pseudonyms, including "Confessions of an Undercover Cop" and novels like "She's Not There" and "Mamon."

• Sharon is actively working on new writing projects, including a collection of criminal poetry set to be published. She aims to secure a literary agent to help her navigate the publishing landscape and potentially adapt her stories for television.

BEST MOMENTS

"I loved my job. Absolutely loved it. And it was very much sink or swim. There weren't very many women when I joined."

"I think it is in everybody to be a criminal. We can all teeter on that balance and it's in with everybody."

"I didn't want to do business, didn't want to employ anybody. Anyway, long story short, I obviously did it."

"You mentioned Enid Blyton, which is obviously sort of mystery stories. So tell us about your writing career."

"I didn't like the title Undercover Cop because all of us worked in plainclothes... But it wasn't written for cops. It's written just for the general public to read."

ABOUT THE HOST

Donna is a Registered Nurse who has worked in the NHS for three decades.

She brings you real-life stories from people in front-line public service roles. Some of the stories discuss war, terrorism, suicide, abuse, COVID, death, and vicarious moral injury, which may be triggering for some listeners. Alongside these are stories of joy, hope, empathy, and humanity, highlighting the positive impact individuals have made. Many of her guests have navigated career changes, found work-life balance, or transitioned into new roles, including charity work or entrepreneurship. If you have a story to share that could inspire others seeking change or additional income, please get in touch. Inviting individuals from fire, police and probation services, healthcare, military, teaching, social services, local government, and civil service.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1FjUrwC7qS

https://www.lifeafterpublicservice.co.uk/

Email: Donna@lifeafterpublicservice.co.uk

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-bentley-carr

This podcast features real-life stories from frontline public service workers, covering tough topics such as war, trauma and loss, and may be triggering to some listeners. Guests also share their tales of everyday heroism, inspiring joy, hope, empathy and humanity. If you have a story to share that could encourage others seeking change or additional income, please get in touch.

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, Donna interviews Liz Sharpe, a former public servant with extensive experience in mental health and community services. Liz shares her journey from growing up in Essex and studying psychology to becoming a support worker and eventually a counsellor and hypnotherapist. She discusses pivotal moments in her career, including the impact of personal loss on her decision to transition to private practice with her business, Live Your Life Therapies.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Liz has had a long-standing fascination with psychology, which began in her childhood and influenced her career path, leading her to work in mental health and community services.

• Her initial experience as a volunteer with community services provided her with a strong foundation in understanding and supporting individuals with various mental health challenges.

• After years in the public sector, Liz transitioned to self-employment, driven by a desire to escape bureaucracy and focus on providing personalised therapy through her business, Live Your Life Therapies.

• Liz specialises in helping individuals dealing with heart disease and addiction, recognising the emotional and psychological challenges that accompany these health issues.

• There is an increasing openness in society regarding mental health discussions, particularly among younger generations, which is expected to lead to a greater demand for counselling and therapeutic services in the future.

BEST MOMENTS

"I think back to sort of early days of mental health, there's always the watching somebody recover and move into independent living."

"Life is too short for a commute. Life is too short to be stuck in an office. I wanted to make different choices."

"People generally do have a reason for the drink to be in their hand. Bereavement or stress or work pressures can all come into a reason why somebody picks up a drink."

"The most important thing for anybody with any sort of illness is: how they can integrate into their social circumstances and not allow that illness to prevent them from living a good life."

"I think the days of people needing to be in therapy on a couch for many, many years, I don't think that's what it's like."

ABOUT THE HOST

Donna is a Registered Nurse who has worked in the NHS for three decades.

She brings you real-life stories from people in front-line public service roles. Some of the stories discuss war, terrorism, suicide, abuse, COVID, death, and vicarious moral injury, which may be triggering for some listeners. Alongside these are stories of joy, hope, empathy, and humanity, highlighting the positive impact individuals have made. Many of her guests have navigated career changes, found work-life balance, or transitioned into new roles, including charity work or entrepreneurship. If you have a story to share that could inspire others seeking change or additional income, please get in touch. Inviting individuals from fire, police and probation services, healthcare, military, teaching, social services, local government, and civil service.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1FjUrwC7qS

https://www.lifeafterpublicservice.co.uk/

Email: Donna@lifeafterpublicservice.co.uk

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-bentley-carr

This podcast features real-life stories from frontline public service workers, covering tough topics such as war, trauma and loss, and may be triggering to some listeners. Guests also share their tales of everyday heroism, inspiring joy, hope, empathy and humanity. If you have a story to share that could encourage others seeking change or additional income, please get in touch.

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, Donna interviews Merrisha Gordon, a leadership coach with a rich background in the NHS. Merrisha shares her inspiring journey from growing up in inner-city Birmingham to navigating her way through a challenging career in healthcare management. She discusses the pivotal moments that shaped her, including her experiences with workplace bullying, the pressures of leadership, and her eventual transition into coaching.

www.merrishagordoncoaching.com

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The journey from aspiring doctor to a successful leadership coach highlights the importance of adaptability and the willingness to pursue new paths, even when initial plans do not materialise.

• Building strong relationships and seeking mentorship can significantly impact career progression, as demonstrated by the early support received from a manager that led to rapid advancement in the NHS.

• Experiencing workplace bullying underscored the need for a supportive and respectful work environment. Confronting toxic behaviour and advocating for oneself can lead to empowerment and positive change.

• The transition to motherhood and the challenges of managing a demanding career during the pandemic emphasised the importance of self-care and the need to reassess priorities in life.

• The shift from a secure job in the NHS to a coaching business illustrates the significance of following one's passion and the fulfilment that comes from helping others, reinforcing the idea that it’s never too late to change direction and seek joy in work.

BEST MOMENTS

"I knew that I wanted more. I wasn't sure what more looked like, but I knew that I absolutely wanted more."

"I was working ridiculous hours. I had a lot to prove because there were lots of people around me that didn't think I could do the job."

"I confronted them individually. It was incredibly empowering, because actually speaking to them one-on-one, I didn't have this collective of consultants."

"There are a proportion of individuals in their public service roles who are stuck, looking for something different."

"I want to just remind people it doesn't have to be this way. We can have a life of joy, regardless of where you have started."

ABOUT THE HOST

Donna is a Registered Nurse who has worked in the NHS for three decades.

She brings you real-life stories from people in front-line public service roles. Some of the stories discuss war, terrorism, suicide, abuse, COVID, death, and vicarious moral injury, which may be triggering for some listeners. Alongside these are stories of joy, hope, empathy, and humanity, highlighting the positive impact individuals have made. Many of her guests have navigated career changes, found work-life balance, or transitioned into new roles, including charity work or entrepreneurship. If you have a story to share that could inspire others seeking change or additional income, please get in touch. Inviting individuals from fire, police and probation services, healthcare, military, teaching, social services, local government, and civil service.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1FjUrwC7qS

https://www.lifeafterpublicservice.co.uk/

Email: Donna@lifeafterpublicservice.co.uk

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-bentley-carr

This podcast features real-life stories from frontline public service workers, covering tough topics such as war, trauma and loss, and may be triggering to some listeners. Guests also share their tales of everyday heroism, inspiring joy, hope, empathy and humanity. If you have a story to share that could encourage others seeking change or additional income, please get in touch.

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/