As part of our ongoing 'Beyond The Badge' series to shine a light on the incredible individuals behind the scenes at Black Country Healthcare, we’re sitting down with staff members across the Trust to learn more about their roles, passions, and what makes them tick.
This week, we caught up with Demi-Leigh Freeman, Administration Officer for the Mental Health Liaison Service and High Intensity Use Service in Wolverhampton.
What do you do?
I work in administration for the Mental Health Liaison Service and the High-Intensity User Service. This means I check letters and occasionally create letters for patients, as well as make referrals and collate information.
Along with my colleague Heather, I also check breaches every week and make any necessary corrections. We also manage referrals and help with any additional work to relieve some pressure on nurses, who are usually very busy and have several things to do after seeing a patient. This helps to reduce any delays in patient care.
We help with new starters, onboarding, or any changes that need to be made, such as sorting out IT issues.
I also take minutes for meetings and order items when needed through procurement / the NHS Supply Chain. My job is quite varied!
In terms of work, every day is different and an opportunity to learn more. ‘Every day is a school day’ is something I live by. Days are always busy and filled with something, although I do like to take time to myself to decompress in the evening before bed after playing and spending time with my nine-month-old puppy!
In my personal life, I am a pet photographer and also do brand deals with my photography - this can be very exhausting on the body but extremely rewarding! I love working with animals because I find them calming. I have been doing photography since I was 13 – that's 15 years, and I still love it!
What is the best aspect of your job?
The feeling of acceptance. I have had many jobs and have never been in an environment where I have felt accepted due to my late diagnosis of ADHD and having an Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder. Learning boundaries has taken me longer than most people, but my managers have been incredible with communication and support to a degree I have never experienced before.
My colleagues don't judge me, and I finally feel like I’m in a safe environment. I can network well with other teams and have made very strong connections and friends. Instead of waking up each day dreading work, I rise with an open mind, ready to tackle the day. I don't dread coming to work, which is important for me. Although I enjoy the job I do, it's the people in it who have made the biggest impact and empowered me!
What do you find challenging and how do you manage that?
Although rare, I will occasionally get calls from patients or their family/friends asking questions I feel unable to answer or there are times I can find myself in situations that I'm not quite sure how to handle.
If nurses are available, I can always ask them for help. However, there are times when they aren't available, in which I can use the resources I have, such as requesting a call back for them or, in emergency situations, contacting the relevant teams that can help.
What are you proud of, or what has been your biggest achievement?
I am proud of my journey and how far I have come since working here. When I first began my job here, I was going through a crisis I’d never faced before, and I wasn't sure how to get out of it. However, with the support of everyone involved - professionals, my manager Harminder, Denise, and external services - I made sure to take in everything they shared with me. I listened carefully and focused on working with the resources available to me rather than against them.
It makes a huge difference when people listen, want to help, and don't judge you. Since the beginning of 2024, I have gradually become better to the point where I am back to where I need to be mentally and out of my crisis. I made steps to reduce my absence and learnt my warning signs. If I have a difficult day or moment, I can tell my manager, who supports me.
I will forever be thankful for those who supported me and were open with me, especially people who made me feel like a human and not a diagnosis. Communication has always been important to me, and it helps so much.
How do you relax?
I usually allow myself private space to decompress, which is in my bedroom. I would just chill on my phone for a while as I struggle to watch TV; my attention span is very short!
On weekends, though, I usually take my dog to the park, allow him to swim or run, try to train him, and even go shopping. I enjoy going to Starbucks or Costa, sitting down for a bit, and enjoying a drink.
I also like to make future plans for events to keep me motivated. On weekends or my days off, I work on my pet photography and spend a few hours editing images, which I enjoy. It's very time-consuming but an enjoyable task that can help me relax.
Tell us something about yourself that people may not know
My biological grandfather is actually a notable figure. He was best friends with Stanley Kubrick and helped him with Eyes Wide Shut, Full Metal Jacket, and The Shining. He also helped on the F1 and wrote a book.
Do you have a wellbeing tip that you would like to share?
Always take it one day at a time. If you’re stressed, take a cold shower, as the shock factor can help de-stress and decompress! Talk, talk, talk, as much as you need to when you need to; it not only works as a distraction but can also help in the long run!