This morning I was in a coffee shop way too early. The lady behind the bar noticed my badge and asked what I do for the NHS. I told her it’s kinda complicated but that I tell the stories of the people who change lives even if they don’t know it. (1/3).

She said she’d love to work in the NHS but had no idea where to start. She looked completely bewildered for a minute. It was 6.30am and she had little burns on her fingers, I could see them through her gloves. Maybe it was tiredness or Covid weariness but my heart opened. (2/3).

I told her about a barista who worked at Costa coffee in the Royal Liverpool Hospital who spent four years listening to the doctors and nurses and HCAs and learnt their orders day by day and in turn they got to know her. Without GCSEs she applied to the staff bank. (3/5)

When I interviewe Gemma, she had just been offered a full time position in the hospital as a Health Care Assisiatnt. She beamed like nothing I’ve seen before. I told this lady behind the bar she could try doing this on the bank at Manchester Royal Infirmary and she lit up (4/5).

She thanked me and said she would. I told her that when I come back in a week how I hope she’s been able to do it. I went to pay with my card and she said it was free, for telling her a story.

There’s always potential to change a life. Even at 6.30am on a Wednesday. (5/5).

For those interested, this is Gemma. I hope she’s well. I know she’ll have made a great HCA. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="💙" title="Blaues Herz" aria-label="Emoji: Blaues Herz">

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