Kate Savage

During my degree, I completed 1,500 clinical hours, primarily in an ambulance placement, which provided me with invaluable hands-on experience. Additionally, I gained diverse clinical exposure through placements in the stroke team, maternity ward, theatres, PPCI, community hospice, paediatrics, and A&E.

I also participated in a four-week elective programme in Tanzania, where I worked in various hospitals and within the community. This experience allowed me to interact with diverse cultures and broaden my understanding of healthcare practices in a global context.

A significant aspect of my training was understanding and addressing mental health needs, particularly in the context of emergency care and vulnerable populations. During my A&E placement, I worked closely with individuals experiencing mental health crises, where I learned the importance of empathy, communication, and creating a safe environment for those in distress. This experience fuelled my passion for mental health support and taught me the value of early intervention and compassionate care for individuals struggling with mental health issues.

I have also completed the 'Time for Dementia' programme, which has given me a deep understanding of the condition and its profound impact on patients and their families. My passion for addressing frailty led me to undertake independent study and successfully complete the NHS Tier 2a Frailty programme, significantly enhancing my knowledge and skills in this critical area.

Furthermore, I opted for a four-week placement in A&E, where I engaged with various aspects of patient care, including majors, minors, resuscitation, and paediatrics. This experience has sharpened my understanding and improved my ability to facilitate streamlined admissions for both patients and hospital staff.

To prepare for my career in healthcare, I completed an Access to Allied Health Professions course, where I studied Biology, Chemistry, and Psychology. I excelled in my studies, achieving an impressive 33 distinctions out of a possible 36. This strong academic foundation not only deepened my understanding of the essential scientific principles relevant to allied health but also demonstrated my commitment to academic excellence and my readiness for the challenges of a healthcare career.

In this role, I was responsible for transporting children safely to various appointments and engagements, ensuring their well-being and comfort throughout. I assisted children with personal hygiene tasks to maintain high standards of health and cleanliness, promoting self-care and independence. By developing strong, trusting relationships with the children, I created a safe and supportive environment that fostered emotional and psychological growth.

I organised play dates to encourage social development, helping children build important interpersonal skills. Additionally, I prepared nutritious meals to support their overall health and well-being. I maintained regular communication with parents regarding daily activities and observed behaviours, ensuring transparency and collaboration in the care provided.

Through assisting with homework and providing homeschooling throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, I contributed to academic improvement and supported cognitive development and learning during a challenging time. I adapted lesson plans to create engaging and fun learning environments using arts and crafts, which helped enhance the children's creativity, problem-solving abilities, and cognitive growth. My approach was tailored to each child's needs, focusing on fostering a positive learning experience and mental development. Throughout, I remained committed to providing compassionate care and support to encourage the children's emotional well-being and academic success.

In this role, I provided one-on-one homeschooling for an 8-year-old boy who had been removed from mainstream schooling due to learning and behavioural difficulties. I was responsible for teaching the full curriculum, adapting lessons to his unique needs and learning style to ensure both academic progress and emotional support. In addition to academic instruction, I facilitated his extracurricular activities by transporting him to tennis and cello lessons, promoting his physical and creative development. Through tailored support and a nurturing environment, I helped him build confidence and the skills necessary to successfully reintegrate into mainstream schooling, leading to the conclusion of the position when he was ready to return to a formal school setting.

I provided dedicated care to two young children, aged 3 years and 6 months at the start of my employment. My responsibilities included performing standard nanny duties such as preparing nutritious meals, assisting with personal care, and managing daily routines. I took the children to playgroups and nursery, ensuring they had enriching social experiences while maintaining a structured and safe environment. Additionally, I engaged the children in age-appropriate activities to foster their physical, emotional, and cognitive development, all while building a strong, trusting relationship with both the children and their family. My role also involved regular communication with the parents to keep them informed of the children's progress and daily activities.

I cared for two young children, aged 3 and 5, providing full-time nanny services that included daily routines, meal preparation, and personal care. I took the children to nursery and school, arranged activities to foster their development, and ensured a safe and stimulating environment. In addition to my childcare duties, I also managed housekeeping tasks, ensuring the home was clean, organised, and well-maintained. I prepared nutritious meals for the children, as well as for the family and staff, catering to their dietary needs and preferences. My role involved a high level of responsibility, balancing childcare with maintaining a household, while developing strong, supportive relationships with both the children and their family.

I provided dedicated care for three children, aged 11, 13, and 15, with a focus on addressing the individual needs of each child. One of the children had autism, and I worked closely with him to ensure a structured and supportive environment that catered to his specific needs, helping him build social and communication skills. The youngest, who struggled with anorexia, required additional support, and I was the most actively involved in her care, working alongside healthcare professionals and her family to ensure her nutritional and emotional needs were met. I developed meal plans, encouraged healthy eating habits, and provided constant emotional support to promote her recovery. I also assisted with daily routines, schoolwork, and activities to foster their overall well-being, while maintaining clear communication with the parents to track progress and address any concerns.

During this period, I focused on raising my three children, one of whom was born with a serious heart condition and required multiple surgeries. As a full-time housewife, I dedicated myself to providing the necessary care and support for my children, ensuring their emotional, physical, and developmental needs were met. My role involved coordinating medical appointments, managing the household, and being an advocate for my child's healthcare needs, all while maintaining a nurturing and stable home environment. This experience strengthened my ability to multitask, problem-solve, and provide compassionate care, and I am now excited to re-enter the workforce, bringing these skills and experiences with me.

As a Senior Account Manager at T C Communications, I played a key role in driving the growth and success of the Antler Homes account. I was responsible for crafting and executing strategic marketing initiatives that were closely aligned with the client's business objectives, ensuring the delivery of innovative, high-impact campaigns. My strong relationship management skills allowed me to serve as the primary point of contact for the client, fostering trust, collaboration, and open communication. I thrived in the fast-paced marketing agency environment, consistently delivering results while maintaining a client-focused approach.

As a Recruitment Consultant, I played a key role in connecting top talent with leading organisations, utilising my expertise in talent acquisition and in-depth knowledge of various industries. I managed the full recruitment lifecycle, from assessing client needs and sourcing high-quality candidates to facilitating interviews and ensuring seamless onboarding. My ability to build and maintain strong relationships with both clients and candidates was integral to the success of the recruitment process, ensuring alignment, satisfaction, and long-term partnerships through clear communication and tailored service.

As Head Cashier and Croupier in the casino aboard a luxury cruise ship, I had the unique opportunity to travel the world while overseeing the financial operations of the casino and delivering an exceptional guest experience. I was responsible for managing cash handling procedures, overseeing the cashier team, and ensuring the smooth operation of all transactions. As a Croupier, I facilitated various casino games, providing engaging and professional service to guests from diverse backgrounds. This role allowed me to combine my expertise in finance and customer service, while also enhancing my ability to adapt to different cultures and environments.

As a Customer Services Advisor at Thomson Directories, I was responsible for handling a wide range of customer inquiries and providing efficient solutions to ensure satisfaction. I managed inbound calls, assisting customers with directory listings, subscription enquiries, and troubleshooting any issues they faced. My role involved maintaining a high level of professionalism and empathy while addressing customer concerns, ensuring that each interaction was resolved promptly and effectively. I consistently met performance targets and contributed to a positive customer experience by offering clear guidance and tailored solutions, enhancing both customer loyalty and company reputation.

As a Telesales Representative at Thomson Directories, I was responsible for proactively reaching out to potential clients to promote and sell advertising solutions within the directory. I effectively managed outbound calls, presenting the benefits of listing in the directory while tailoring my pitch to meet the specific needs of each business. My role required strong persuasion and negotiation skills to close sales and exceed monthly targets. I consistently delivered exceptional customer service by understanding clients’ requirements, offering relevant advertising options, and building long-lasting business relationships, ultimately contributing to the growth of the company’s client base and revenue.