I have been fortunate enough to have had the most (in my option) amazing, unbelievable and varied career path. From being a classically trained opera singer, fire eater, escapologist, stand up comedian, choral conductor and arranger, singing and music teacher, failed army reservist, care home assistant, Senior Health assistant, Prehospital and emergency care, and now an occupational health technician.

Before I had even left high school I had completed a summer season in repertory theatre, a season at the Edinburgh “Fringe” festival and performed on Broadway (New York) and London’s West End.

After leaving school (having not done that well) I embarked on a career in the business of show. I performed in holiday parks, clubs and pubs, cabaret venues, theatres, pantomimes and corporate and sporting events. I even had the honour of meeting and playing to members of the British royal family.

When I turned eighteen the world was my oyster and I was able to work on cruise ships and embark on an international stage career touring the Far East and Europe. It was an incredible experience, and I still feel privileged to have had those experiences and meet some phenomenal people.

After an almost twenty-year career in entertainment, family commitments, divorce and a road traffic accident found me looking for a new career path. Having not done anything else but stage work, I applied for countless jobs. The only interview I got was for an activities coordinator at a dementia care unit.  I think I was given the job because the other candidate didn’t turn up. I knew nothing, but the company were willing to train me. I was put on every course imaginable, from doll therapy, reminiscence coaching, basic care and assistance and skin integrity. The list was endless and I loved it. I had found my new vocation and passion.

After a few years I started working in the NHS as a healthcare assistant, later to a nursing auxiliary and then onto a role as a senior health assistant. I performed my duties on a general medical, gastroenterology, endocrine and isolation unit. I also took as many “Bank” shifts as I could in the emergency department. It was at this time I completed the FREC (First Response Emergency Care) levels in my spare time.

Five years later I was sitting doom scrolling and, in my feed, came a position for an occupational health technician. On further investigation I discovered that I already had many of the skills required for the role. A further deep dive and many rabbit holes later my thirst for adventure and something new had been peaked. After lengthy debates with my wife, my CV was prepared, interview preparation went into overdrive and many applications were filled.

Seven months later, I had earned a position at Health Partners.  After several years I went to work for PAM Group and then moved over to Clarity OH.  These technician roles were peripatetic, and I travelled the length and breadth of the UK and islands in a mobile medical unit (MAU) and would complete health surveillance, fitness for work medicals and wellbeing activities.

Life as an OHT can be, at times, surreal. On Monday and Tuesday, you could be based on a royal estate looking out over rolling parkland and spot deer frolicking in the distance. Wednesday and Thursday be ancle deep in mud and sand on a building site with a view of the gent’s toilet. Friday you could turn up at the docks only to be told the clinic has to be cancelled as the tide times dictate that the boats must be stacked and ready to leave port with the next tide and all the people you have booked in are loading the ships.

After over six years of traveling and living in hotels, I noticed that my children were no longer at my hip level, but creeping towards my chin. As a result, I am moved to an in-house multidisciplinary OH team with Anglian water.

Having been an OHT for some time, I have the pleasure of being a mentor for the SOM programme to encourage and advise on achieving employment as an OHT. I also attend the SOM special interest groups for OHT’s, mental health and neurodiversity.

I am passionate about occupational and workplace health and wellbeing and the role of the OHT has no glass ceiling. I am currently enrolled in further training to expand my skills in neurodiversity coaching (I am late diagnosed dyslexic, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, ADHD and Autistic), counselling and strategic workplace wellbeing.

In conclusion, the qualities and attributes that have served me well in OH are resilience, adaptability, willingness to learn (as every day is a school day), communication and people skills and above all a broad sense of humour.