Tanya Southwell

I managed a scheme assisting individuals post-hospital discharge in adjusting to home life.
Coordinated support for clients with mental health issues, substance misuse, and dementia.
Led a team of volunteers and support workers to deliver comprehensive assistance.
Facilitated claims for entitlements, grant applications, and signposting to befriending services.
Ensured clients received essential shopping support and maintained comfort and satisfaction.
Liaised with healthcare professionals, including GPs, Occupational Therapists, and District Nurses.
Collaborated with Social Workers and care agency staff to enhance client well-being.

I was made redundant from this post September 2025 after funding ceased.

Served as a vital link between health and social care during a six-month contract.
Was offered a full-time position offer after successful completion of the 6 month contract, but I had already secured new employment with British Red Cross.

My role in this job was to work alongside the Admiral nurses providing a specialist one-to-one service supporting carers of people living with dementia. We worked with families helping them cope with the fears, uncertainty and difficult everyday reality of dementia. We offered practical and emotional support to help them understand and deal with their feelings and to learn different coping strategies. We also provided referrals to additional services and liaised with other health and social care professionals on their behalf.

This role was a one year pilot and we shaped the service as we went along. We attended regular events in the community to offer advice and support, making sure people knew where to come to for advice. We would triage cases when they come in and then either myself of the Admiral Nurse would visit them at home and carry out an initial assessment. This could result in further visits from the team or ongoing referrals to other agencies such as the Alzheimer's Society, Carers agencies, Doctors, day centres, local councils to name but a few.

I worked for the NSFT Trust in several roles. I initially joined as a secretary/receptionist, then felt I would like to explore the nursing side and was successful in gaining a post at the Norvic Clinic. I worked many roles here from Unit Security Officer, Care Assistant Band C, and stayed on the bank in various admin roles at the same time. At the Norvic Clinic I worked with Mentally disordered offenders aged 18-65, dealing with challenging behaviour on a daily basis.

I moved to the Older Persons Community Health Team in 2006 initially as a secondment, which then became a permanent post. I learned to prioritise my workload and to work independently with minimal supervision, but to also seek support or supervision when needed.