57-year-old Sheffield man quits career to fulfil his dream of becoming a nurse

A ‘caring’ Sheffield man who has become a nurse at the age of 57 hopes his new role will inspire others to pursue their life-long passions.
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Sheffield man, Dellroy Blake, 57, hopes to encourage other people to follow their vocations after he is set to start a new nursing career with Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Trust (RDaSH).

The former planner and designer in a kitchen and bathroom showroom is now a Bank Nursing Assistant at RDaSH after he decided leave his job and to follow his dream to care for others.

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Dellroy, who is in the final year of his BSc Mental Health Nursing Degree at the Open University, explained why he decided to switch careers.

Dellroy Blake has become a nurse at the age of 57Dellroy Blake has become a nurse at the age of 57
Dellroy Blake has become a nurse at the age of 57

“After being impressed with the level of nursing care in the Brambles Ward at The Woodlands during my placement, I decided that I wanted to become a member of the RDaSH bank staff”, he said.

“Throughout my working life various people have told me that I should go into nursing because of my caring nature and people skills.

“I have always been interested in helping and supporting people.”

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The 57-year-old shared how his previous job as a planner and designer for kitchen and bathroom showrooms helped him realise his passion for nursing.

“During my time working in the kitchen and bathroom showroom, I noticed a young man being disadvantaged by his peers.

“On intervening I established that he was unemployed and offered him the opportunity to work in the showroom for a couple of weeks doing some cleaning work which he did.

“He turned up every day and during that time I realised that he had a learning disability.

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“He did a good job and I like to think that I boosted his confidence and provided him with some job opportunities in the future.”

Dellroy also demonstrated his caring nature that would help him in his career, through his involvement in the Wilfward Family Trust, a charity that provides respite care for parents with challenging young people.

He said: “The charity work made me realise that I enjoyed supporting people.

“Although I wanted to go into nursing, I wasn’t in the position to leave my current employer.

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“Eventually, when the time was right, I joined an agency and started working for a private forensic mental health hospital.

“It was during this time that one of the doctors noticed that I had the right people skills and attributes for nursing.

The 57-year-old who was mentored by Maggie O’Malley and Kim Gostolo, hopes his brave decision to pursue his vocation will inspire others to do the same, no matter how old they are.

“It has been an amazing and challenging journey especially being a mature student and returning to education”, Dellroy added.

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“The staff are so empathetic, caring and compassionate, I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you ladies.

“Age is just a number and it shouldn’t put you off changing careers.

“I am now doing a role which I am very passionate about.

“I can see the positive difference it makes to people’s lives.

“It’s fulfilling and enjoyable and I would recommend nursing to anyone.”

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