Shweta Joel, who is from India and currently works as assistant psychologist in the trust, is reflecting on how her South Asian heritage has and continues to shape how she provides care to our patients.
Hailing from a historcial city called Gwalior, Shweta comes from a working-class family where her life revolved around her parents and a brother. Her dad was a former government employee and her mother was responsible for running the household.
The 43-year-old said: “India is an agricultural country and Indians are very attached to their rituals and core beliefs.
“We strongly believe that everything that has the power to nurture and sustain life is worth worshipping such as food, climate, and environment.”
The sad demise of her father in 2018 was a huge setback for her, but Shweta was determined to exhibit the values that was instilled by her father in her everyday life.
Following her MBA in finance and marketing, Shweta took the plunge to pursue a Masters in psychology in the UK in 2019 – enabling her to make a real impact on an individual’s life.
One of the biggest and hardest transitions of my life
Although daunting to switch a career from an office-based role to actively supporting patients on wards, Shweta was up for the challenge.
She added:
It was one of the biggest and hardest transitions of my life in so many different levels including being away from all social connections and my family, finding my space and maintaining my identity in a new country, new culture and amongst people of a much younger age.
“I realised that my core values were my strength, and my identity was my asset during this time which helped me navigate through challenging times.”
Whilst pursing her studies, Shweta decided to pick up a bank job in February 2020 as a healthcare assistant within NHS to build up her work experience. This is where she witnessed her values grow even deeper as woman of colour.
This experience led her to develop a passion to create more awareness about EDI (equality, diversity and inclusion) characteristics and to support and empower the cause.
My South Asian roots shape my everyday life
“As I celebrate my cultural heritage and my ethnic identity, I realise that I have gained resilience, courage and zeal to help people due to my cultural background and heritage as we have always believed in mottos like ‘Athithi Devo Bhava’ which is a Sanskrit saying and translates to ‘The guest is God’,” she said.
This motto has made Shweta treat every patient as God – making sure that she diverts all her resources and attention in helping them get better.
Moreover, she joined the NHS at a time when the unexpected Covid-19 made it difficult for patients to have the everyday interactions with their loved ones.
“In the past couple of years, I have worked in different clinical roles as HCA and nursing assistant before commencing my current role of assistant psychologist in 2022, however, I firmly believe my dedication towards caring for others stems from my family and societal value of being there for each other,” explained Shweta.
Free to be me: an expression of freedom
Reflecting on this year’s theme for South Asian Heritage Month ‘Free to be me’, Shweta says it is a sense of liberation to celebrate her identity as a mature Indian woman working in a role which is usually preferred by younger individuals.
Her favourite memory during her time in South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was getting involved in one of the Schwartz Rounds, which are organised by the medical psychology department.
Schwartz Rounds are a confidential forum where staff come together regularly to discuss the emotional and social aspects of working in healthcare.
Here, she came across many powerful stories and themes which she could relate to. Shweta realised that having a common forum where people can feel acknowledged and belonged to, can be so fulfilling to the various identities that one links themselves with.
“As I reflect on my past journey, I feel like in the wake of making choices which are not normal for my identity, I am proud to have broken so many stereotypes in so many ways and this sets me free and gives me the power to be me,” said Shweta.
We are all proud of you, Shweta!