Jenny Allum spoke to us about her AHP journey and the work she does at CUH.
What’s your role in our organisation?
Team lead Occupational therapist for stroke and neuro-rehab
Tell us a bit about your CUH journey – when did you join, what positions have you held here?
I joined CUH in June 2018 after having completed my band 5 rotations at Peterborough hospital. I joined the stroke team as a static band 6, and remained in that position until April this year when I was appointed the team leader for stroke for a year-long secondment.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
When someone has a stroke it can cause a minor disability that is easily overcome with a little rehab, or it can completely obliterate their life. I count it a complete privilege to help someone to put their life back together piece by piece. This might be through doing things differently to how they did it before, or it might be working to regain brain functions.
The brain is fascinating! One of the things I love about this job is trying to get to the bottom of the brain function(s) that are causing someone a problem in their daily activities- sometimes this is a complex challenge, but it means I’m never bored!
What advice would you give to someone who is starting their AHP career journey?
Do it! Working in healthcare is hard work, but the rewards are so great! Getting to support someone through a difficult time gives you so much purpose and joy.
I would also highly recommend getting work experience before you start a course, and try out different professions. If you think you want to be a physio, try out occupational therapy or nursing as well; you don’t want to start doing a job and then realise you joined the wrong profession for you!