Tim Beardsmore, Clinical Team Lead, Torbay
Tim has worked for with us at Devon Partnership NHS Trust for 14 years, and has a nursing career spanning 32 years. Here, he shares his story of his journey into nursing and moving his family to Devon.
Why did you decide to become a nurse and how did you do it?
I became a nurse 32 years ago in Wolverhampton at the College of Nursing. My training was old style, with more time on the wards that you spent in college. I began work in the West Midlands, working on a unit there as a student nurse, experiencing what it was like to work within inpatient, older adults and community, amongst other services. After finishing my training I ended up as a Staff Nurse on an acute ward based on a general hospital site, before going on to manage community forensic liaison services.
I moved to Devon 14 years ago to give my now 23 year old daughter and 18 year old son a different environment to grow up in. I started at Devon Partnership NHS Trust (DPT) as a drug and alcohol worker in the Criminal Justice Team in Exeter Drug and Alcohol Service, before moving to Torbay to do the same role. I was missing mainstream mental health work and wanted to get back into it so I was fortunate enough to get a job in the community mental health team in Torquay. From there I took a Practice Lead role, before becoming a Clinical Team Leader for the last seven years.
Why did you want to work in mental health?
I was set to go into the marines but due to family circumstances I changed my mind. At that time, I was doing voluntary work on mental health wards in my local hospital – I have always wanted to help people, having a strong history of healthcare within the family. I have also always studied people’s behaviours, which led to my interest in forensic psychology and profiling.
What does being a nurse mean to you?
"To me, being a nurse is having the opportunity to make a difference. What a privilege it is to get alongside somebody in their darkest moments; being there with someone who is in the worst moments of their lives, and they’re asking you for help."
We get caught up in the nature of the job and targets but we can’t forget the basics of what we do – helping people. We’re meeting them as strangers but they’re still willing to talk to us about their darkest moments. It’s a huge privilege being invited into someone’s life, home and world and I have always felt so fortunate to be able to experience this. As nurses, we shouldn’t take this for granted.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Making a difference in somebody’s life. I also love staff development and a huge part of my role as a nurse, manager and leader is to develop people. I think that when people come into a team we shouldn’t think ‘we’ve got to keep these people forever’, we should set them up to achieve their own goals, helping them to learn more about mental health and to develop in confidence and experience
What gives you the strength to keep going when dealing with an upsetting or difficult situation at work?
For me, I cling onto the fact that we are making a difference. Even if it’s small, that could be monumental for that person, that family.
With a physical health problem you have a procedure done and you see the end result, but we don’t get that instantly in mental health – it is more of a long term project. Open Dialogue has been an incredible project to be part of and one that I feel has almost rejuvenated my career. I wish we’d done it years ago! I see the difference that it makes in people’s lives as well as for families and clinicians.
Do you have any hobbies?
My home life involves lots of keep fit – running, circuit training, football. I also coach football. Walking my youngest dog is a highlight of my day, and I love eating and finding nice pubs!
What is it about Devon that makes you feel at home?
I come from Wolverhampton, but Devon has always been a second home to me. My aunty moved to Torbay 60 years ago and my cousins were raised here. As a teenager, I’d spend the six weeks of summer holidays in Torbay. Moving here, I knew the area so well and loved the sea. We’re so fortunate – we’re on the doorstep of the moors and I can see the sea from my house. I am able to walk my dog on the beach before work every day: moving from working in a city with tower blocks and now next to the beach, there is no comparison. We even have a beach hut at the bottom of the road which has been a real blessing for the children growing up.
What do you think makes Devon great place to live?
Devon is great because of its wide open spaces: Dartmoor, my favourite place on earth - I could easily get happily lost on the moors - the amazing beaches and and the fact that in an hour you can be in Cornwall and feel like you’re on holiday.
Describe your perfect day off from work
I run every day – on the beach every morning before work. There’s a circular walk from my house which takes in two sets of woods and ends up on the beach and has the best views. I take pictures of the views often. You really appreciate the simple pleasures here. If you’ve not lived anywhere else you may take it for granted, but I never fail to be inspired by what’s on the doorstep.
What support does DPT give you as a nurse?
In my 14 years I have had some very good leaders and managers. I’ve had good leadership and opportunities to train and develop, particularly developing Open Dialogue, despite the challenges we knew it would bring. I am very glad that the Trust chose to support us in this. Recently, we have Senior Staff Forums which give us the opportunity to network across Devon and meet colleagues, peers and friends from across the entirety of the organisation. Coming from a city-wide area, it’s unique to be able to say that we are so interconnected and that we have been able to have face-to-face conversations (before COVID-19).
Of all the Trusts in the country to work for, why did you choose Devon Partnership NHS Trust?
I knew DPT had a good reputation in the county and I also didn’t want to travel and commute. I was initially in Exeter but now work in Torbay, where I can see the sea from my office and I work ten minutes from my house.
What is it like working with your team?
I believe I’ve got the best staff in DPT! This is partly because in 2.5 years, they’ve trusted Dr Tom Cant and I to run the Open Dialogue trial, including taking part in four residential weeks of training throughout the first year. Spending all day every day together, you get to know each other well – this cemented relationships and bolstered the bonds between us.
Despite the challenges they face there is nothing they’re not prepared to do. I am full of admiration for my team – they have sometimes difficult, challenging jobs and they always turn up and they always give 110%.
"If I was poorly or any member of my family were, I would completely trust them to treat them and care for them, which I think is the best recommendation you can give."