National Inclusion Week (NIW) is a week dedicated to celebrating inclusion and taking action to create inclusive workplaces. This year’s theme is Impact Matters. As we begin marking this important week, we spoke with Elysium colleague Laura Helps.
Laura has many roles across Elysium. She is Personal Assistant to the Hospital Director at The Copse, and the service’s Compliance Lead. She sits on the Disability Employee Resource Group (ERG) and the newly formed Neuro-diversity Employee Resource Group. In January 2024, Laura’s world dramatically changed when she had a stroke aged just 40. Hospitalised for two months, she was determined to return to work as quickly as possible.
In this blog, Laura shares her on-going journey and returning to work, the support she’s had from the team at The Copse, the challenges she has faced along the way and her ambitions for the future.
“I’ve been working at The Copse for around two years, and before that worked in a different Elysium service for about 18 months. Everything changed for me in January 2024 when, aged 40, I had a stroke. It came out of nowhere, and they haven’t found the reason for it. What happened to me is very rare. Not only was I very young to have had a stroke, it came after a bleed on the brain; only 15% of strokes are bleeds rather than clots.
“I was in hospital for two months. As a result of the stroke I had right-sided weakness, balance problems and challenges with communication, some of which I still experience now. I use a wheelchair.
“Immediately after the stroke, while I was in hospital, I was immediately supported by my Hospital Director Danielle. She said everything would be taken care of and that I didn’t need to worry about anything, which was incredibly reassuring. She kept in regular touch and just knowing that I didn’t have to worry about work helped me focus on recovery.
“I was incredibly keen to get back to work however I could, as soon as I could. But I knew there would be challenges. First of all, I live some distance from the hospital, which is in Weston-Super-Mare. I used to work two days in the office – driving there and back – and three days from home. I couldn’t do that anymore; I can’t drive and public transport isn’t currently an option as I have developed epilepsy.
“But Danielle and the team have been incredibly supportive in making sure I can do my role in a way that works for all of us, as much as possible. I am still very tired, so I work mornings. We use Teams a lot. They have visited me and they try to keep me as in the loop as possible and make sure I know I am still very much a part of the team. And I hope to be able to get back to the service on a regular basis as soon as possible.
“As I still have some cognitive challenges as a result of the stroke, my role has naturally had to change. But I know that my colleagues see me as a valued member of the team and the effect being able to go back to work has had on my self-esteem is immeasurable. It is my ‘beacon of normality’ in a world which has changed for me so quickly and suddenly.
“I was already a member of the Disability employee resource group at Elysium, and have joined the recently created Neurodiversity ERG, taking the role of Co-Chair. I hope to bring my lived experience and perspective to both groups. Groups such as this are really important for inclusion because they give a voice to those who may be more marginalised. These groups can come together to discuss issues that are faced in the workplace, and help create potential solutions.
“I think that because of the very nature of what Elysium do, we were always going to be naturally inclined to be extremely supportive of a person who has experienced a significant health challenge such as mine. I don’t think all sectors might have been so inclusively minded in supporting me to get back to work in the way Elysium has.
“I sometimes underestimate myself and think I won’t be able to do things because of the stroke. But Danielle, my HD, is so supportive. She encourages me to give things a go. But she’s also very good at kindly and gently reminding me that I am still recovering, that I shouldn’t try to do too much and that I need more rest!
“As I move forward, I want to gradually increase my hours and get back to doing more of my original role – and I want to get back on site as quickly as possible!”
