Mercy Kaggwa, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Advisor at NCH&C tells us why she loves Norfolk
The Norfolk countryside is so beautiful and so easy to find. Stepping outside of your front door or going on a drive you will come across the most beautiful open green space, woodlands and beaches, some of which appear through the most incredible and winding nooks that truly make Norfolk an adventure.
Being from London, I never thought that I would settle in such a place. Norfolk is obviously much quieter and less overtly diverse than some places; however, these do not outweigh the incredible benefits, especially for family life.
Norfolk is not that far away from Cambridge or even London by train, or further afield such as into Bedfordshire by car, which makes living here so much better than you can imagine, because you can reach and leave the cosmopolitan fast paced lifestyle whenever you want.
The great thing about working for an NHS community trust is that it celebrates community in all its different facets, without wanting to change it to fit its purpose (square peg in a round hole) but will work to adapt to learn about the community it serves. Going into patient's homes, whilst empowering staff to be their authentic selves, is a workplace environment that recognises the diversity within each individual. Prioritising staff wellbeing to impact the delivery of outstanding care is part of the trust's ethos, where staff experience and patient experience co-exist.
With sites in a variety of places across the county, each is a wonderful experience of how diverse Norfolk truly is (in its own unique way). Driving passed Sandringham (waving to the monarch) on the way to St James' in King's Lynn, through Norwich city centre to visit Norwich Community Hospital or Colman Road Hospital where you can visit Eaton park or Earlham park for a chilled countryside in the city walk or the quaint villages and wonderful tree arches to Kelling Hospital, each one different and serving the community in the unique ways that they deserve.
Norfolk is a very creative environment with a wonderful eclectic arts scene, with gigs, theatre productions, exhibitions and more every day of the week. Famous for its traditional Norfolk cuisine (which is great, FYI), the food scene here has become even more culturally diverse in recent years with bright and scented spice markets, and street food stalls of cuisine from countries such as Nigeria, Jamaica, the Philippines, USA, Japan etc, as well as farmers markets every other weekend to coincide with a makers market the following, to not enjoy food and arts and crafts here would be a sin, as there is something for everyone.
Where walking is definitely a past-time enjoyed by the whole family with or without a doggo companion (but more likely with and sometimes a horse, a donkey or alpaca), there will always be a countryside café to enjoy cake in, somewhere to buy wellies (because you will always need them in the boot of your car), and eventually you will develop an understanding of what, Normal for Norfolk! means, especially if you partake in alpaca walking.
If working for the trust is the reason you are in Norfolk, it's a good one. You will be treated with kindness and respect; you will be encouraged to learn what looking after yourself means for you and you will find that you never outstay your welcome as time seems to work differently here, because before you know it, it'll be five years later, and you will continue to love it
Although I was not expecting it, I truly love it and hope you will too.