A Bury mental health nurse has shared his journey from healthcare assistant to deputy ward manager.
Babatunde Babalola, known as Baba, works across Greater Manchester and is hoping to inspire others to consider a career in healthcare.
Originally from Nigeria, Mr Babalola moved to the UK in 2004 and began working as a healthcare assistant before training as a mental health nurse.
He said: “I remember caring for my grandmother and younger cousins and it all felt so natural to me.
“I felt so rewarded by the comfort I could bring.
Mr Babalola started his career as a healthcare assistant(Image: Supplied)
“I’d use skills I’d learnt by watching videos to help.
“It made me feel like I had a true purpose and that feeling never left me – it was a calling.”
After completing his degree, Mr Babalola spent several years working in security, including a role at Wembley Stadium.
There, he saw people supported by carers and support workers, which sparked his interest in mental health.
He said: “I’d always had an interest in healthcare, but I’d never considered the illnesses we cannot see – like mental illness.
“I wanted to learn more about how to help them.”
He began volunteering in a dementia care home, where colleagues quickly recognised his skill and compassion.
This led to a permanent job and eventually a move into NHS mental health rehabilitation services.
Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox by signing up to the Bury Times morning newsletter as well as our breaking news alerts.
He later joined an adult acute mental health ward in Bury as a nursing assistant.
He said: “Patients can spend quite a long time on the wards, and you can see their progress and know you’ve made a real difference.
“The role is so fulfilling.”
Mr Babalola completed his care certificate and later qualified as a registered mental health nurse.
He now works for Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, which provides mental health, learning disability, and autism services across five Greater Manchester boroughs.
He was recently promoted to deputy ward manager.
Kerry, 47, from Bury, was supported by Baba during her time as an inpatient on Fairfield Hospital’s north ward.
Kerry, who was helped by Mr Babalola during her time in Fairfield Hospital(Image: Supplied)
“When Baba was on shift it was always a better day. The ward felt lighter.”
READ MORE:
For those considering a career in mental health, Mr Babalola believes the most important quality is compassion.
He said: “Think to yourself – are you caring?
“If you are, you can build on those skills and change lives.”
More information can be found here: http://www.penninecare.nhs.uk/working-for-us
