Becky Bate

• What do you enjoy about the job you have?

Where to start? I enjoy getting to know our staff from every corner of the hospital. We’re in a very unique position in that we get to work with all units, wards and departments across both hospital sites. So we regularly have a big variety of staff who pop in the office to just say “hello” and I’m really glad that they feel they can come to us for any guidance and support.  I run the Pot Luck draws, so it’s always such a fab feeling letting the winners know the good news! When taking donations, I get to hear first-hand the fantastic care our patients receive at UHNM which always fills me with pride. I love getting to work with a small, brilliant team here at the Charity.

• What challenges have you faced getting to where you are now?

When I applied to work for UHNM in 2019, it was actually because I got made redundant, which was a difficult situation but I used it as an opportunity to apply for a role that would be more fulfilling and rewarding. Having faith in myself and my skills paid off in the interview and I was hired! Last year, the Charity team had the heart-breaking news that our colleague, Suzanne Feeney, had passed away. This was very challenging for myself and the team, not only emotionally but trying to carry on operationally without such a vital cog was hard and we still miss her.

• Tell us about the path that’s got you to where you are now and what interesting experiences you’ve had in your career so far/what you’ve learned from them…

My past jobs have always been heavily customer experienced-based, which has been vital in helping me have a great relationship with our donors. From the onset at 17 years old, my first paid job was a Birthday Hostess for Tenpin Bowling (I wasn’t the best face painter or balloon modeller though!) Working for Disney World in Orlando twice was incredible. Who else gets to say Mickey Mouse was their boss?! I also worked in food and beverage at the Sci-Fi Dine In at Hollywood Studios for a Summer and then in the U.K Pavilion in the World Showcase at E.P.C.O.T for a year, proudly representing Stafford, England! It was a long, vigorous interview process so to be successful was an incredible achievement.

I was living with international roommates which taught me so much about diversity and respecting different cultures (as well as sampling their cuisine, which was an added bonus!) The job itself was highly fun and rewarding but it was hard work, busy and came with its own pressures. I think anyone who has worked in hospitality can gain important skills that they take into their personal lives. Being a cast member, I got to create so many magical moments for guests and while UHNM Charity doesn’t have any fairy dust, we have our own way of forming special moments for our patients.

• How does what you do make a difference to other people?

My main job is to make sure our donors and fundraisers know how thankful we are for their support; after all, it’s thanks to them that we are able to make things better for our patients and their families. All of the money given to UHNM Charity is used to support improvements for our patients over and above what the NHS already funds and provides. I encourage everyone to follow us on social media to keep up to date on what we’re up to!

• What would you say to other women who may have doubts about their ability to achieve their goals?

Life is tough, but so are you! Always be a first-rate version of yourself instead of a second-rate version of somebody else. Every woman's success should be an inspiration to another. We're strongest when we cheer each other on.