#TeamNorthMid blogs

“My reflection is, be kind, be patient and make a deliberate and intentional effort to understand and learn from each other, especially if they have had a different life course or journey experience to you.”

Words by Manal Sadik

Dear North Mid, my name is Manal and I am the Associate Director for Health Equity. I started in the Trust late September 2023 so very honoured to be asked to share my story with you.

If I’m honest I find talking about myself quite difficult, I don’t know if this is a cultural, gender, or personality thing or a combination of all, anyway here it goes and hopefully my story resonates, inspires, or connects with you in some way.

I am of Arab heritage, born, lived and worked my entire life in Southeast London. My parents and their immediate family came to London in the late 60’s and carved a good life for themselves. I was born in a part of London where there was very little visible ethnic diversity. We were the only brown family on the Estate, and I was one of three children in my primary school who were not white. I coped by assimilating, snubbing my heritage and was embarrassed when my mum walked out the house in her traditional and beautiful dresses. I only wanted to eat traditional English food, beans on toast, pie and mash and shepherd’s pie and couldn’t understand why my parents felt the need to include spices into everything, pasta and shepherd’s pie!

As I got older and a gobby teenager, I soon realised that I had done myself, my family and anyone that felt they didn’t “fit in” a disservice. There is an Arabic proverb that says “those who refute their heritage have no heritage” I didn’t want to be that person. I challenged whenever I heard the saying “no offence but……” I did take offence and I sure let them know. I found that I gave myself the role of advocacy and speaking out for those who couldn’t or whose voices were not heard, I think this is where it all started for me, so the work I do now is not “just” a job, its who I am.

Fast forward, I graduated with a BSC in Psychological Sciences wanting to pursue a career in clinical psychology, I worked in the Royal Hospital for Neurodiversity, I absolutely loved it, it was humbling, challenging and a reminder of how everything you know can be snatched away from you in seconds after a tragedy like an accident or overdose. I then moved to work for Sure Start, my role involved working across statutory and voluntary boundaries to remove barriers and enable families with children under 4 and where English was an additional language receive equitable access and outcomes from health, education, and support services.

One of my proudest work moments was the development of an accredited community interpreting programme, seven local mums finished the course and secured health advocate roles in the local hospital. This partnership working flourished and a year later I secured a role at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Trust creating and centralising a language and accessible support service, the first in the NHS. My career at this Trust span 19 years, I progressed to manage Outpatient Services and Inpatient Services and was the lead for patient equality. My leadership style has always been to try and elevate others, enable authenticity and curiosity. I’m motivated by always striving to do better for staff and patients, always listening and engaging with others and most importantly to respect and value those around me.  

An important part of my career journey has been the amazing wrap support received from my managers and teams over the years. The last 8 years have tested every ounce of my being, my patience and my strength. In 2015 my husband was sent home from a long stretch in hospital and from that point become reliant on myself, my children and health professionals. I managed the best I could working full time, caring for my husband, looking after 4 young children and completing a Masters. I was able to work from home before it was even a thing, my team knew when I hadn’t slept well or when I needed some extra TLC, which was usually lots of chocolates and coffee.

When we often talk about diversity and bring your whole self to work, we often go straight to thinking of aspects of the person we can see, their ethnicity, gender, age, religions etc. There is so much more that makes us who we are, that shape us, affect our thoughts and behaviours, steer our career decisions and interactions. My reflection is, be kind, be patient and make a deliberate and intentional effort to understand and learn from each other, especially if they have had a different life course or journey experience to you. 

I would like to end by saying thank you for the warm welcome. This Trust oozes determination and dedication for making it a caring local hospital and community service. I have heard many staff say they were born here, they’ve studied here and now they work here, this loyalty, dedication and affection is real.

Please feel free to contact me, ask me about my role, my experience or share with me yours.

Watch Manal Sadik's vlog on X.

We thank Manal for taking part in our #ThisIsMe blog series which focuses on the incredible diversity of our workforce across North Mid, beyond the usual protected characteristics of age, disability, ethnicity, religious beliefs, gender, sex and sexual orientation.

Please help us encourage fellow Trust colleagues to do the same by sharing this post.

Feel free to share any feedback or comments. If you wish to share your own story or think you know colleague who might want to share their thoughts, ideas and experiences about diversity, please contact our communications team at northmid.comms@nhs.net