In this episode, Donna interviews Cameron McCann, a former police officer who served for 15 years before facing significant challenges that led to his medical retirement. Cameron shares his journey from the Metropolitan Police to Police Scotland, detailing the physical and mental health struggles he encountered due to workplace conditions and treatment. Despite these hardships, he and his wife June transformed their passions for whisky and art into a successful business, culminating in the establishment of Stirling Distillery. Cameron discusses the innovative pivots they made during the COVID-19 pandemic, including producing hand sanitiser and hosting virtual tastings.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• After a challenging career in the police force, which included serious health issues and a difficult work environment, the individual successfully transitioned to running a family business, highlighting the potential for personal growth and new opportunities after leaving public service.

• The experience of mental health struggles, including anxiety and depression, was exacerbated by the treatment received during the individual's time in the police force. This underscores the importance of mental health support within public service careers.

• Building strong relationships with supportive individuals, such as Gary Hayes from PTSD 999, played a crucial role in navigating personal challenges. This emphasises the value of community and peer support for those in high-stress professions.

• The business adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic by pivoting to produce hand sanitiser and offering online tasting events, demonstrating resilience and the ability to innovate in response to changing circumstances.

• The establishment of a charity gin, with proceeds supporting PTSD 999, reflects a commitment to giving back to the community and addressing mental health issues faced by first responders, highlighting the importance of social responsibility in business.

BEST MOMENTS

"I always say this, and we wouldn't be where I wouldn't be where I was today if it wasn't because of that."

"I ended up getting arrested for fraud. I ended up getting surveillance on me."

"I had a brain tumour. It wasn't cancerous or anything like that. It affected other things."

"I would rather lose money than my word."

"There is some very good people there now, but they're quite often hand-tied by the system, in my opinion."

ABOUT THE HOST

Donna is a Registered Nurse who has worked in the NHS for three decades.

She brings you real-life stories from people in front-line public service roles. Some of the stories discuss war, terrorism, suicide, abuse, COVID, death, and vicarious moral injury, which may be triggering for some listeners. Alongside these are stories of joy, hope, empathy, and humanity, highlighting the positive impact individuals have made. Many of her guests have navigated career changes, found work-life balance, or transitioned into new roles, including charity work or entrepreneurship. If you have a story to share that could inspire others seeking change or additional income, please get in touch. Inviting individuals from fire, police and probation services, healthcare, military, teaching, social services, local government, and civil service.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1FjUrwC7qS

https://www.lifeafterpublicservice.co.uk/

Email: Donna@lifeafterpublicservice.co.uk

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-bentley-carr

This podcast features real-life stories from frontline public service workers, covering tough topics such as war, trauma and loss, and may be triggering to some listeners. Guests also share their tales of everyday heroism, inspiring joy, hope, empathy and humanity. If you have a story to share that could encourage others seeking change or additional income, please get in touch.

In this episode, Donna interviews Chris Henley, a former teacher with a remarkable 35-year career in education. Chris shares pivotal moments from his teaching journey, including the profound impact he had on students, such as a former pupil who credited him with making a difference during a tough time in his life. They delve into the challenges teachers face, the importance of reflection, and the emotional complexities of the profession. After retiring from teaching, Chris transitioned to becoming a civil funeral celebrant, where he utilises his teaching skills to create personalized services for bereaved families. He emphasises the privilege of being part of such significant moments in people's lives and reflects on the transferable skills that have shaped his post-teaching career.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Teaching is not just about delivering lessons; it's about making a lasting impact on students' lives. Personal connections, like the story of a former student expressing gratitude, highlight the profound influence educators can have.

• The journey of a teacher is filled with continuous learning and self-reflection. Acknowledging mistakes and striving to improve is essential, as no teacher is perfect, and every experience contributes to personal growth.

• Skills developed in teaching, such as communication, empathy, and lesson planning, are highly transferable to other professions. The transition to becoming a civil funeral celebrant demonstrated how these skills can be applied in a completely different context.

• The challenges faced by teachers today are more complex due to societal changes, including the impact of social media and mental health issues among students. This complexity necessitates a more structured approach to pastoral care within schools.

• Transitioning from a long teaching career to a new profession can be daunting, but it can also lead to fulfilling opportunities. Embracing change and being open to new paths can lead to rewarding experiences, as seen in the journey to becoming a funeral celebrant.

BEST MOMENTS

"When I was going through that tough stage in year eight, you were the teacher that looked out for me. You made a real difference."

"You never stop learning. I can remember watching a young probationary teacher sort out quite a knotty problem in the playground. I was in absolute awe."

"It's not the things you say or do, it's the way you make people feel that has the real impact."

"Once you've been engaged, you have to meet with the family. It's exactly the same sort of scenario as when I sat and met with families in an education context."

"You know, sometimes I think it's easy to cling on to teaching, even if it's hard, because you can't think what else to do."

ABOUT THE HOST

Donna is a Registered Nurse who has worked in the NHS for three decades.

She brings you real-life stories from people in front-line public service roles. Some of the stories discuss war, terrorism, suicide, abuse, COVID, death, and vicarious moral injury, which may be triggering for some listeners. Alongside these are stories of joy, hope, empathy, and humanity, highlighting the positive impact individuals have made. Many of her guests have navigated career changes, found work-life balance, or transitioned into new roles, including charity work or entrepreneurship. If you have a story to share that could inspire others seeking change or additional income, please get in touch. Inviting individuals from fire, police and probation services, healthcare, military, teaching, social services, local government, and civil service.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1FjUrwC7qS

https://www.lifeafterpublicservice.co.uk/

Email: Donna@lifeafterpublicservice.co.uk

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-bentley-carr

This podcast features real-life stories from frontline public service workers, covering tough topics such as war, trauma and loss, and may be triggering to some listeners. Guests also share their tales of everyday heroism, inspiring joy, hope, empathy and humanity. If you have a story to share that could encourage others seeking change or additional income, please get in touch.

In today's episode, Donna interviews Gary Hayes, the founder of PTSD 999, a charity dedicated to supporting frontline staff with their mental health. Gary shares his compelling life story, beginning with his childhood in East London and his early passion for football, which fostered a sense of teamwork and leadership. He discusses his military service in the army and his subsequent career in the British Transport Police, where he faced the challenges of dealing with traumatic incidents, including the aftermath of the 2005 London bombings. Throughout the conversation, Gary reflects on the importance of trust, the emotional toll of public service roles, and the lack of mental health support for emergency responders.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Individuals often pursue careers in public service due to a desire to help others, driven by personal experiences and a sense of responsibility, as illustrated by Gary's early life experiences and his roles in the army and police.

• The podcast highlights the psychological toll that traumatic experiences in public service roles can have on individuals, including feelings of guilt, anxiety, and moral injury, particularly after dealing with distressing incidents like suicides or fatalities.

• There is a significant gap in mental health support for frontline workers, as many officers, including Gary, faced traumatic events without adequate resources or training to process their emotions and experiences.

• Many individuals in high-stress public service roles resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as self-medication with alcohol, to manage the emotional burden of their work, which can lead to long-term mental health issues.

• Maintaining relationships with colleagues and peers is crucial for emotional support in public service roles. Shared experiences can foster camaraderie and provide a network for discussing challenges and seeking help.

BEST MOMENTS

"I was a victim of sexual child abuse. I became that child looking out for everyone else. As long as I was looking out for everyone, nothing could happen to them."

"I ended up joining the TA. It was fantastic. It was just almost like being back in my battalion."

"I was dealing with someone who, unfortunately for this individual, was still alive at the time. It just throws your world upside down."

"It's about how you as a person have been able to portray that you're empathetic, in the kindest and least ambiguous way."

"We normalise stuff that's not normal. I was self-medicating through booze."

ABOUT THE HOST

Donna is a Registered Nurse who has worked in the NHS for three decades.

She brings you real-life stories from people in front-line public service roles. Some of the stories discuss war, terrorism, suicide, abuse, COVID, death, and vicarious moral injury, which may be triggering for some listeners. Alongside these are stories of joy, hope, empathy, and humanity, highlighting the positive impact individuals have made. Many of her guests have navigated career changes, found work-life balance, or transitioned into new roles, including charity work or entrepreneurship. If you have a story to share that could inspire others seeking change or additional income, please get in touch. Inviting individuals from fire, police and probation services, healthcare, military, teaching, social services, local government, and civil service.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1FjUrwC7qS

https://www.lifeafterpublicservice.co.uk/

Email: Donna@lifeafterpublicservice.co.uk

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-bentley-carr

This podcast features real-life stories from frontline public service workers, covering tough topics such as war, trauma and loss, and may be triggering to some listeners. Guests also share their tales of everyday heroism, inspiring joy, hope, empathy and humanity. If you have a story to share that could encourage others seeking change or additional income, please get in touch.