Nikki Richards - ‘In the Spotlight’

People are at the centre of everything we do. Those who work at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board make a difference to people’s lives every single day.

Each month, the ‘In The Spotlight’ campaign will shine a light on the different people who make up Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, from those who support behind the scenes, to those who have passions that led them to work in their role.

As an organisation with over 17,000 colleagues, the campaign will highlight the variety of roles, teams and individuals across the health board. Working in the NHS can be life-changing, both for colleagues and for the patients they help.

In the spotlight this month is Nikki Richards, an Occupational Therapy Technician working at the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital of Wales. 

“Before working as an Occupational Therapy Technician, I never thought I'd feel lost if I wasn't carrying a set of Allen Keys and a tape measure in my pocket! I am often found around the children’s wards measuring children for wheelchairs and static seating. Then I source and adjust suitable equipment to the child’s specification.

“Seating can be crucial for rehabilitation and will often mean a child can be safely discharged home and get back to school. It can also provide a child with the postural support they need after elective surgery, trauma or illness, to participate in important occupations like feeding, toileting, dressing or to enable them to participate in their favourite hobbies such as arts and crafts, computer games etc.

”Playing such an active role in supporting children and young people to participate in meaningful occupations is very satisfying.

“I took voluntary redundancy after 18 years working as a Project Controller in corporate IT. I was keen to pursue a more rewarding role, so I began looking online for a suitable NHS job. The Occupational Therapy Service for Children and Young People was looking for a Technician to work part time in Ty Gwyn Special School. It seemed ideal and ticked many of my boxes both professionally and personally. I didn't have any experience in Health Care but I could see that I had many transferable skills. I was fortunate enough to get offered the job!

“After a while I was asked to provide Occupational Therapy Technician cover one day a week at Noah's Ark Children's Hospital for Wales. Eventually, I was moved to work solely in the Children's Hospital. It was difficult leaving the Special Needs School, but I felt happy and content working 4 days a week in a hospital setting.

“I have now been in my role for 15 years and I still feel very fortunate working every day in the Children's Hospital, helping to make a difference to the lives of children and young people. I love working in a hospital environment. I love the variety of the role, working with an amazing team, feeling valued and respected by my team and the wider multi-disciplinary team, making a difference to the patients and their families, being busy and organised and having robust processes in place.

“I got married in Orlando on 11th September 2000 at a 'Disney Springs' hotel. During the evening dinner, we watched the Epcot Fireworks from the 28th Floor of the hotel. It was a magical moment. Being a wannabe Disney Princess, I don’t need an excuse to talk ‘Disney’ with the children on the wards and if a Disney song is playing, I can’t resist singing along. It can be a great ice breaker when interacting with the children and helps them feel more relaxed and at ease in the hospital setting. When I work with them pre and post-surgery I find they are more likely to respond and trust me to help with their post-op management.

“My advice to anyone thinking about becoming an Occupational Therapy Technician is if you've organised your day and have a 'to do' list, be prepared to change your plans at the drop of a hat as that's the nature of the 'acute' setting. Knowing you are making a difference to the patients and the families in so many clinical areas, makes the role interesting and fulfilling. If you embrace the role and the variety of tasks that cross your path every day, you should be very happy and enjoy the role as much as I do.”