A Familiar Face, A Fresh Start
That’s when I reached out to Chelma Graphics, a local company where I’d done work experience nearly a decade earlier, back in high school. Luckily, they welcomed me back with open arms and found some basic tasks I could help them with, whilst simultaneously earning some money. After such a long time away from any kind of work environment, just being around people again, learning new skills and finding purpose in the day-to-day made a huge difference. The team at Chelma was — and still is — incredible. Friendly, supportive and patient. I still pop in to say hello, and keep in touch. Unfortunately, my time there was cut short due to some restructuring by the then-director, but as one door closed, another opened…
The manager at Chelma, who had known me for over a decade, understood my health challenges, work ethic, but also my skills and what I was capable of. She introduced me to her partner, the Head of Technical Operations at Health Diagnostics (HD), and suggested I’d be a good fit. After a few conversations, I was invited to visit their office in Chester.
My initial impression upon arriving was how friendly and welcoming the team was. I met Julie (Managing Director) and Selina (who would become my manager). Not knowing anything about the arena they are involved in, we proceeded to have a long conversation about the work Health Diagnostics did, what roles could be undertaken, my past experiences, and what I could bring to the team. Immediately, it was clear HD was prepared to cater to my needs. Crucially, they offered flexibility. I didn’t know from week to week how much energy I’d have, how many hours I could manage. Initially, I started with 3 days a week, 10 am to 2 pm. This might not seem like much, but for me, it was a significant step. After years away from an office, learning new systems, terminology, and processes was overwhelming at times. But I was never made to feel like a burden. Quite the opposite — I was supported every step of the way.
I spent my early weeks shadowing different teams, asking questions and slowly finding my feet. The office culture was unlike any I’d known — relaxed yet focused, collaborative, and genuinely caring. Everyone pitches in, shares knowledge and helps each other. This makes all the difference. It has allowed me to push through the hard days and gradually take on more responsibilities.
My goal when I first joined was to sustain working 3-4 days a week for a few months and build up from there. Again, although that might seem small, considering everything I’d been through — the fatigue, the cognitive challenges, the emotional recovery — it was a significant milestone. Thankfully, being in an environment that thrived on teamwork, supporting one another and working towards the same goals meant the process of returning to work was much easier and enjoyable than I expected. I get on with all of my colleagues and genuinely enjoy coming into the office. The working environment is laid back yet professional, and the skills amongst the whole team are exceptional. If ever you have a problem, someone will be able to help, or point you in the right direction, so there is never anything too stressful as workloads are shared amongst the whole team.
Growing With the Role
Over the past two years, I’ve increased my hours, taken on new roles and contributed to a wide range of projects across the company. Some of my work includes customising our core software – Health Options® CS – for different clients, often local councils or health programs with very specific needs. We work closely with these clients to understand their goals and tailor solutions that deliver real value to their communities. One thing I love about HD is that “no” is rarely the answer. Even if something isn’t possible immediately, it’s added to our development roadmap. As a team, we always meet to discuss possible solutions when faced with something we have not encountered before.
This strategy is built around the team’s strengths; everyone has an input at some stage during a new project setup or when dealing with new requests from existing projects. Keeping the whole team involved throughout the entire process keeps everyone informed and allows for the sharing of suggestions for improvement. Being involved in such a great team makes smaller tasks, such as getting feedback on a new design or template, much easier.
Understanding Health Prevention, Firsthand
Going through brain cancer treatment and working closely with the healthcare industry over the last few years has helped me appreciate the importance of understanding your health. While it’s the role of healthcare professionals to guide and inform the public, it’s ultimately up to us to take proactive steps. My diagnosis came down to a series of unfortunate events — but since then, I’ve made my health a priority. It’s far easier to stay on top of your wellbeing than to rebuild from a serious illness.
The office environment itself is a breath of fresh air — clean, modern and well-equipped. Julie, our MD, sets the tone with her leadership: involved, empathetic, and always there to support the team. She makes sure the little things are never overlooked — from snacks and treats in the office to making sure everyone feels valued. It’s those small, thoughtful gestures that create a space where people genuinely want to be.
Flexibility is also a key component of life at HD. Whilst in many other industries and businesses, everyone works to the same fixed hours, HD has a far greater understanding of personal circumstances and needs. This is obviously true for me, but many other staff members have unique working days or times that fit around their personal lives. Wherever possible, the team enables people to take time off when needed, swap their working from home days etc. Working from home is something that’s worked into our weekly rotas. For me personally, just navigating an office environment is a very tiring experience thanks to all my tumours’ side effects. Working from home is often more manageable, especially when fatigue sets in. I can pace myself better, avoid long drives, and sometimes even get more done in a comfortable setting. It’s not just about productivity — it’s about being trusted to do your best, wherever you are.
Doing Work That Makes a Difference
Since joining HD, I’ve grown enormously. My confidence, which took a huge hit after my diagnosis and treatment, has returned in ways I didn’t think possible. After my treatment, I lost confidence in all aspects of my life. First, I worked hard on my physical health and fitness for a few months, making solid progress. Mentally, I wasn’t as confident, but due to the nurturing, friendly and caring environment at HD, it has allowed me to grow and gain confidence at my own pace, which in turn has allowed me to flourish far more than I expected.
I’ve taken on challenges I once thought ‘beyond me’ and delivered work I’m genuinely proud of. A lot of this stems from Julie’s work ethic and leadership qualities. I have been very fortunate to build such a strong relationship with her. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity she gave me, and all the encouragement she provides – even to this day. I know I can always go to her for help and support, as is the case for everyone in the office.
Looking Back, Moving Forward
Looking back over the last five years, so much has changed – not just in my circumstances, but in how I see life. Strangely, I’m grateful for what I’ve been through. Before, I was caught up in the small stuff and rarely paused to appreciate the moment. Now, I try to find the positives every day, and offer support to those around me – a shift that came after spending so long relying on others simply to survive. I have so much gratitude for the NHS teams that supported me during my treatment and continue to help me and monitor my condition. Without their intervention, I would have passed away years ago. Now, thanks to their help, I live in confidence that I can overcome any obstacle I face. It’s well known that 1 in 2 people will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime. Thankfully, in most cases, it is treatable. Sadly, this is not always the case.
Fortunately for me, my treatment worked; however, I’m always aware of what I’m living with, and the challenging thing is maintaining a positive mindset. My working environment is one of my few ‘safe spaces’ where people don’t treat me like I’m different, as none of my colleagues knew me before my tumour. (Some still don’t know the full facts about what I went through.) Despite the difficulties, staying positive is always worth it. Even when things seem impossibly glum, there can always be something to smile and laugh about – it’s just key to focus on the good, and making a positive impact in the world. This attitude is something I bring to my work at HD, even when it’s busy and stressful. Fundamentally, the work we are involved with is aimed at improving and providing better health and well-being for the general public.
If my experience has taught me anything, it’s the joy that can be found in helping and supporting others and the people around you, whether through charity work, supporting neighbours, or collaborating with councils to improve community wellbeing. The culture that Julie and the team have built at HD shows just how powerful it is when people support one another. I know I wouldn’t be here without the incredible people who stood by me, and now, I want to be that person for someone else — wherever and whenever I can.