GRACE MISIAK

• Led a nationally recognised industrial action campaign for over 1000 NHS Healthcare Assistants based in Nottingham University Hospital.

Built the campaign from the ground up across Nottingham hospitals to address pay inequality, burnout, and structural neglect. Used a trauma-informed organising model that centred worker wellbeing and psychological safety. Campaign gained national media coverage and shifted the conversation around staff treatment and equity.

• Secured funding through lobbying and cross-sector influence.

Successfully lobbied local MPs, Nottingham University, and aligned with other unions to secure additional funds. This resulted in compensation for HCAs who lost income during the campaign, a significant financial and emotional win for the workforce.

• Designed and delivered long-term workplace wellbeing strategies.

Facilitated listening campaigns, ward walks, and staff engagement initiatives to surface systemic barriers to wellbeing. Used findings to inform campaign actions, rep training, and internal reports that fed into Trust-level discussions.

• Developed workplace leaders and peer support networks.

Recruited, trained, and supported new workplace representatives. Built leadership pipelines rooted in community values, empathy, and advocacy, fostering sustainable infrastructure for future wellbeing campaigns.

• Produced high-impact communications and engagement materials.

Created accessible campaign content, including printed literature, online briefings, and speeches. Ensured messaging was both emotionally resonant and strategically aligned with negotiation demands and wellbeing outcomes.

• Collaborated with senior stakeholders under pressure.

Maintained ongoing dialogue with NHS Trusts, union leadership, legal teams, and media contacts. Balanced adversarial campaign needs with professionalism, clarity, and long-term vision for safer, fairer workplaces.

• Monitored wellbeing risks and managed internal safeguarding.

Supported members through highly stressful periods of action, often while navigating existing health issues, financial strain, and poor workplace treatment. Provided safeguarding referrals, emotional check-ins, and signposting.

• Designed and delivered neurodiversity-informed wellbeing programmes for public and private sectors.

Developed and facilitated therapeutic programmes tailored for neurodiverse individuals, integrating modalities such as CBT, and mindfulness. These programmes have been implemented in both individual and group settings, addressing workplace stress and promoting mental resilience.

• Provided strategic consultancy on workplace mental health.

Advised organisations on creating inclusive workplace environments, focusing on mental health awareness, neurodiversity inclusion, and stress reduction strategies. This included conducting workshops, developing policy recommendations, and offering one-on-one coaching sessions.

• Developed and managed digital wellbeing resources

Created accessible online content, including guided meditations, educational articles, and self-help tools, to support clients and the broader community. These resources have been instrumental in extending the reach of mental health support beyond traditional therapy sessions.

• Collaborated with cross-sector stakeholders

Partnered with educational institutions, healthcare providers, and community organisations to promote mental health awareness and deliver joint initiatives. These collaborations have enhanced the impact of The Hollow Tree Therapy’s services and expanded its community engagement.

• Led continuous professional development and supervision

Engaged in ongoing training and supervision to stay abreast of the latest developments in mental health practices, ensuring the highest quality of care for clients and maintaining professional standards.

• Delivered strategic safeguarding and wellbeing programmes in high-risk environments

Led the delivery of the government’s Prevent strategy across five local authorities, supporting schools, healthcare providers, prisons, and local councils. Developed psychologically-informed approaches to risk that prioritised early intervention, emotional wellbeing, and community safeguarding.

• Designed and implemented multi-agency response plans

Coordinated detailed risk management plans involving mental health professionals, education leaders, police, and local government. Built consensus in sensitive contexts, balancing security concerns with the wellbeing of individuals and families.

• Presented to senior stakeholders and influenced internal culture

Delivered briefings and training sessions to police leadership teams, safeguarding boards, and public sector executives. Promoted compassionate, trauma-informed safeguarding approaches that challenged fear-driven narratives and supported more sustainable, ethical practice.

• Led training and capacity-building across sectors

Designed and delivered workshops for professionals in education, health, and local government, enhancing their confidence in identifying psychological vulnerability and responding appropriately. Supported staff wellbeing by embedding resilience and reflective practice into frontline strategy.

• Monitored and evaluated outcomes to improve system-wide wellbeing

Produced formal case reports, action plans, and performance reviews to inform regional and national policy. Advocated for improvements to mental health referral processes and inclusive practice across departments.

• Modelled inclusive and values-driven leadership

Acted as a bridge between enforcement and care, ensuring individuals at risk of radicalisation were treated with dignity, respect, and genuine opportunity to recover. Maintained high ethical standards under political and emotional pressure.

• Led strategic equality campaigns to improve workplace culture and wellbeing.

Championed inclusive policy reform and support mechanisms for neurodivergent, LGBTQ+, and faith-based staff. Centered psychological safety, dignity, and access in all campaign goals and communications.

• Redesigned internal policies to support mental health and neurodiversity.

Advocated for reasonable adjustments and accessible performance frameworks for neurodivergent employees, based on both personal and collective insight. Successfully influenced policy amendments and training delivery.

• Collaborated with national staff networks and faith organisations.

Worked with the Police Pagan Federation and internal diversity networks to implement inclusive religious and spiritual accommodations, ensuring all staff felt seen, respected, and supported within institutional systems.

• Advised senior HR and leadership teams on systemic change.

Used lived experience and policy knowledge to engage directly with decision makers, shaping inclusive practices and helping to reframe approaches to workplace wellbeing beyond compliance.

• Facilitated education and awareness across departments

Created written briefings, led awareness sessions, and contributed to intranet resources and internal campaigns, helping to shift everyday understanding of workplace inclusion from theory to action.

• Balanced grassroots engagement with strategic influence.

Acted as a bridge between frontline staff and leadership by listening deeply, feeding concerns upward with clarity, and co-creating realistic, progressive responses that supported morale and long-term wellbeing.

• Managed caseloads of vulnerable young people at risk of reoffending.
• Developed community programmes, court reporting, and integrated support plans.
• Built resilience-focused frameworks with families and education providers.

• Delivered behavioural change programmes, court assessments, and reintegration plans for adult offenders.
• Advocated multi-agency solutions and promoted long-term rehabilitation.