SPOTLIGHT – SAM YOUNG

SPOTLIGHT – SAM YOUNG

The Spotlight shines on Sam Young, our home bird, Reading loving and Moon Walking School Nurse 

Sam grew up in Reading and being quite a home bird, stayed put for college and university even carrying out some of her training in the same hospital that she was was born in! She was one of the Project 2000 nurses and when she trained she was lucky enough to have a year and a half working in all specialisms before completing her training in paediatrics. Sam worked her way up to become a senior nurse at the Royal Berkshire Hospital working with some amazing children and their families. Nursing is hard at times, but the positive times made sad times a little easier. After visiting Warminster, Sam and her family made the decision to move to the countryside and she changed roles to became a nurse advisor for Cow and Gate and Aptamil.  Her advisory role widened her experience of nursing enormously and, at one time, was even pictured in adverts adorning the pages of Mother & Baby magazine! Sam missed the hands on of nursing and went back to the paediatric wards at the RUH in Bath. She stayed there until she made the choice to try her hand at school nursing. She was lucky enough to join a great team at Kingswood School in Bath. There she gained a diploma in teaching SRE and a degree in mental health, as well as the experience and confidence to apply for a nursing role at Warminster. Thank goodness she did!  Sam is very proud to say she is now part of Warminster School, even living on site with her daughters and dog, meaning she can be on call at any time and part of all sports fixtures on Saturdays.

How long have you worked at Warminster?

Two and a half years.

What’s the best thing about your role?

Taking time to listen and support, building up the trust of pupils and them knowing there is someone who is always there for them.

Describe a typical day?

There is no one typical day. Sometimes I can be dealing with injuries on the sports field with the indiscreet first aid green bag on my back, to spending time with someone, listening and making a wellbeing plan, giving them the time to talk with reassurance that things will improve. It is very different to working on the paediatric wards, but can be extremely busy in its own way.

What do you think makes Warminster a special place to live and learn?

What has always made Warminster special to me is everyone cares for each other, no matter who you are within school or what area you work in, people always say hello, wave or just smile. Pupils too. A smile speaks volumes and helps to make Warminster the welcoming community it is.  

What would surprise us about you?

I have completed two half marathons and the 26.2 mile Moon Walk through London. You would never guess what was on a certain piece of clothing I had to wear during the walk!

As a child what did you want to be when you grew up?

I always thought about being a teacher or a nurse. From a young age I liked to take care of people. After work experience in a school, I made the decision teaching was not for me so I followed my dream to go into nursing.

What did your school reports say about you?

I was always scared of getting into trouble at school so my reports were generally good, I did always like to chat. Nothing has changed!

Your note/advice to teenage self?

Be proud of who you are and don’t change for anyone.

Your mantra/motto or favored quote?

Don’t wait for the storms to clear, learn to dance in the rain.

Most treasured possession?

Photographs – I could spend hours looking through them.

Biggest bugbear?

Name calling, there isn’t a need and all it does is cause hurt and upset to someone else.

Favourite musician/group?

At the moment loving Lewis Capaldi – favourite song Someone you loved.

Guilty pleasure?

Watching the series of Jane the Virgin on Netflix and Squashies.

If you were on Masterchef what would your signature dish be?

Thai chicken curry and egg fried rice.

Favourite TV programme?

Friday Night Dinner.

Last book you read?

Currently on number 6 – The Secret Admirer by Carol Wyer. Detective Natalie Ward series, read the first one The Birthday and was hooked. Really enjoy a book which keeps you guessing.

Last movie watched?

The Long Shot which made me laugh at times.

The best movies are the ones which make you laugh out loud.

Which actor would play you in a movie about your life?

I would like to say Kate Winslet, my children would say Edna Mode from the Incredibles…

Favourite tipple?

Large glass of chilled Pinot.

Favorite place/city in the world and why?

I would love to travel the world in the future. Currently, my most favourite place to visit would be Reading which is where I grew up. It has lots of memories and I could spend time with my family who I am really missing at the moment.

Twitter or Facebook?

I have just joined Twitter, but I do much prefer meeting for a chat or picking up the phone.