Disability History Month – Introducing Ashleigh Rickards, our new Disability Support Network Deputy Chair

Hi everyone, my name is Ashleigh I am one of the internal communications officers at EEAST. I first joined the Trust back in 2005 when it was still Essex Ambulance Service, so technically you could say I have been with the Trust since day one!

My career began as a call handler in Chelmsford EOC when I was 19 years old. At the time, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life, mum told me to apply for the job. I didn’t see a reason not to, and before I knew it, I had completed my call handler training, was handed my headset and off I went.

Thanks to an incredibly supportive team leader and duty manager (Tina Theobald and Sandra Chick, two wonderful ladies who are also still with EEAST), I progressed into the role of call handler team leader, which I continued to do for some 12 years. I met some amazing people throughout this time, many of which have gone on to achieve great success in their own careers within EEAST, and it always brings a smile to my face when I see everyone doing so well, and others who have become wonderful friends for life.

It was during my time within EOC that I had an extended period of sickness which led to my diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Looking back there were many signs over the years, but I found it easy to hide these things from my loved ones as it’s very easy to disappear off the radar when you are working long shifts. I’m very fortunate that my diagnosis happened relatively quickly once I became really unwell, and I was soon receiving the treatment I needed.

Going back to work though was a whole other story. I was quite frankly terrified. When you are diagnosed with a mood disorder it makes you question everything about yourself. What is you and what was a symptom? Do people like you for who you are, or will you become boring to them now? Will I still be able to do the job I had loved my whole adult life? These were all things I had to work through, and honestly still do to this day, though as I head in to my late 30’s I’m quite happy being ‘boring’ now!

My job felt like a big part of who I was as a person, and I knew I didn’t want to lose that. I had grown up in the role and wasn’t ready to give it up. Thankfully, I received incredible support from my management team who were kind, patient and understanding. They helped me believe in myself again and didn’t write me off, something I know can happen to so many people with mental health conditions.

I really enjoyed my time in EOC, where I also spent some time as a compliance auditor, but after 15 years it was time to move on. One of the things I love most about working for EEAST is that there is so many different jobs out there and thanks to the support I received I felt like I was able to take the next step in my career. I took on some additional training outside of work to build my knowledge and skillset, and eventually took an opportunity to join the communications and engagement team, where I’ve worked for the past 3 ½ years years.

It is because of the incredible support that I received around my diagnosis that I was spurred on to join the Disability Support Network (DSN) and apply for the role of deputy chair this year. I am proof of what can happen with the right support. Not only did I manage to continue as call handler team leader, but I was also able to make the transition to the communications and engagement team, something I had wanted to do for many years before taking the plunge.

Having a disability, whether it be mental or physical, is no reason to write someone off. We all have something to offer, and our lived experiences help us bring something new to the table.

I’m so excited to be working with Esther and the team and I hope that I can provide the support and guidance to others that I so gratefully received when I needed it most.