From working on a ward as a healthcare assistant to working in paediatrics and audiology, Jonny has worked in various roles before his current admin and clerical role: “I love my job and the NHS. I’m one of the personal assistants who look after members of the Executive Team. I look after Alex Berry, Director of Transformation and Strategy and Yarlini Roberts, Chief Finance Officer as well their deputies – Denise Madden and Irfan Mundiya.”
Proud of his northern roots, Jonny says: “I’m from Lincoln in Lincolnshire. I’m always going to be a country lad and dream of settling down in the Yorkshire Dales. I love it down here, but I just don’t like all the concrete buildings. With work and such, and with my life as it is, I have to be where I am for now.”
“I’m the youngest of six children and my family still live in my hometown. I don’t think they will ever leave. I was the one destined to do things differently. One day in 2008, I threw a dart at a map on the wall, and it landed near Kingston upon Thames, so I packed a bag and jumped in the car and here I am.
“I was always the shy one, but I think as I’ve got older, I’ve become more confident. I used to really worry about what other people thought of me, but it doesn’t bother me anymore. I believe we come into this world as a blank canvas, and I think who we hang out with and who and what we deal with over time, paints the picture of what we think the world is, when it could be totally different. We just need to keep changing our canvas.
“I didn’t think an admin role would be for me because I’m dyslexic, but I’ve got my coping mechanisms, prompts and ways of dealing with certain words which I can never get right. I keep trying and I don’t let dyslexia define me because it shouldn’t, and it shouldn’t define anyone.
“This role has been the best opportunity for me. It’s busy but so varied – no day is the same.”
When asked what the hardest part of his job is: “Actually, I think it’s time. We need to give ourselves time and make time for ourselves. I think it’s the same for everyone and it’s always going to be an issue because there’s never enough hours in the day!”
14 years ago, Jonny met his husband Ben through Facebook speed dating: “We love our holidays – we like to go on cruises and cottage holidays. With the pandemic I’ve not actually missed going abroad because I’ve now found that I prefer exploring here in the UK.”
As well as his love for walking, which helps him relax: “I enjoy being outdoors. I have recently taken up running and wild water swimming, and I’m starting fell running soon.”
Looking to the future Jonny shares his thoughts: “I want to be healthier. I saw myself a few years ago and I wasn’t unhealthy, but I wasn’t where I wanted to be, and I think with COVID now it’s important to have a healthy body and a healthy mind.”
