Miriam Lester (she/her)

Organisational Development & coaching specialist with a passion for engaging & supporting staff. EDI & MH Ally. All views my own.

[Bournemouth Uni @bournemouthuni]

The UCAS undergraduate application deadline for equal consideration may have passed but that doesn't mean that the door to starting uni this September has closed! 👨‍🎓 You've got until 30 June to apply, so find your place at BU today: https://t.co/F3cVebJPLU

#DegreesOfDifference

[Miriam Lester (she/her) @MiriamLester1]

Wishing everyone a lovely Christmas and a peaceful 2024. This is my last post as I am leaving Twitter X , I wish to do a digital detox. It’s been a blast 💥 bye all.

[Miriam Lester (she/her) @MiriamLester1]

Can we rethink the need for a level 3 qualification for staff to do the Trainee Nurse associate training in Dorset? Are we missing out on excellent experienced HCSWs who would like to train to that higher level but don’t wish to do a level 3 qual first. Any thoughts welcome 🤗

[Lancashire County Council @LancashireCC]

#ChangeTheStory by making the White Ribbon Promise never to use, excuse or remain silent about men’s violence against women. https://t.co/BZcE8fzH6w.

[Miriam Lester (she/her) @MiriamLester1]

@nursejennyw @ed_dteam @UHD_NHS @CypBu My daughter was there and said it was brilliant.

[Miriam Lester (she/her) @MiriamLester1]

@kate_rackham What about a prom for someone to read out at a wedding/ graduation/ 21st birthday or other significant event in their future lives? It can be silly, funny and poignant. Best wishes to you.

[Bournemouth Uni @bournemouthuni]

Considering your uni options for next September and not yet visited us? Book our Saturday 18 November Open Day to get a feel for life in Bournemouth. Learn about our degrees, explore our campuses, and chat to staff and students: https://t.co/UpBFAF9Lb1

#DegreesofDifference

[Bournemouth Uni @bournemouthuni]

Unsure about applying to BU because of your grades? We consider your whole application and other achievements, so don't forget to include these in your UCAS application! ✍️ Get the inside scoop on what we look for: https://t.co/kp6RMvjyWJ

#DegreesOfDifference #BelongAtBU

[Bournemouth Uni @bournemouthuni]

Feeling overwhelmed? We are here to help.

Join our ‘Don’t Drop Out, Drop In’ event organised by SUBU to chat with different university teams who can give support and guidance in one place.

Find out more: https://t.co/EtrISbsCRV

[Miriam Lester (she/her) @MiriamLester1]

Come and see this amazing University. A chance to learn locally and still earn your degree/masters/PhD, if staying nearby is important to you.

[Bournemouth Uni @bournemouthuni]

We are less than a week away from our Undergraduate Open Day! ⏰

This Saturday, 28 October, visit us to explore your subject area of interest and experience student life by the sea! 🌊

Haven't booked yet? Register here: https://t.co/86i64RpE39

#BUOpenDay #DegreesOfDifference

[Miriam Lester (she/her) @MiriamLester1]

Week 3 and the sun is still shining @bournemouthuni. On campus for a meeting and enjoying the buzz associated with this part of the University.

[Miriam Lester (she/her) @MiriamLester1]

Amazing new artist worth spreading the news https://t.co/Q9hJbFxD6q

[Stuartw @stuart_willes]

Come join us in the sunny south as Head of Security & Portering ⁦⁦@UHDjobs⁩ excellent chance to be part of significant NHP build changes for Dorset.
https://t.co/KshzsxQwQ4

[Miriam Lester (she/her) @MiriamLester1]

@RobWhiteman So sorry for your loss Rob.

[Miriam Lester (she/her) @MiriamLester1]

A memory popped up - my daughters award winning Anne Frank poem. Applicable to how our children & young people must feel when faced with any violence.

[Miriam Lester (she/her) @MiriamLester1]

@McInTweet hilarious show Michael, here in Bournemouth. Looking forward to the second half 😆

[Miriam Lester (she/her) @MiriamLester1]

#WorldMentalHealthDay2023 - you can’t have good health without good mental health. Local and online support available should you need help.

[Miriam Lester (she/her) @MiriamLester1]

Last day @UHD_NHS - what a journey it has been. An amazing team to work with and a great hospital Trust. Thank you so much for your kind gifts and well wishes. @AllmanKaren @LisaMcManus12 @lisa_white33 @catherinephr @S_HarringtonNHS @gemmalynn13 @helenmartinuhd @PappuDeepa

[Miriam Lester (she/her) @MiriamLester1]

Powerful https://t.co/UkF2vKFsXz

[Dr. Nicole LePera @Theholisticpsyc]

THIS IS GOING VIRAL SO I WANTED TO SHARE IT HERE TOO:

A bit from my past:

My first job after getting my PhD was working as a therapist for people from low socioeconomic backgrounds.

Almost all of them were diagnosed with depression, GAD, bipolar, or BPD. Most were highly medicated— some to a point that still sticks with me years later.

As I got to know their background and lives 3 things were very clear:

1. A vast majority had been emotionally neglected, emotionally abused, or physically abused as children.

2. A vast majority had experienced domestic violence or were currently living in it.

3. Basic needs were never met. Life was an hour by hour struggle. Treatment was an attempt to allow them to get to work in most cases. To just continue to surviving.

It was the start of me questioning the field I had been trained in. One that diagnoses people with disorders without taking a look at the whole picture. It began my path of holistic understanding.

A person cannot be well when one unexpected bill will have them fall behind on rent. When they lay their head on a pillow and all they can think about is expenses piling up. When a bill at the grocery store is almost double what they paid last year when their income has stayed the same.

An entire family unit deeply struggles within survival mode. When a job is lost. When daycare needs to be paid, but so does the light bill— what do you choose? When parents can’t even think about the emotional needs of their children because they have to figure out where their next meal is going to come from.

In 1942, 10 years before the diagnostic manual of mental illness was released Maslow knew what was once just common sense: we have a hierarchy of needs.

At the bottom are basic needs food and shelter. Then safety (resources, security). Then belonging (connection, friendship, intimacy.) Without three things we *will* be sick, period.

I get pushback for questioning the status quo. And I’ll continue to do it. The status quo is keeping people sick. It denies their experience. And it says we should bandage people’s symptoms so they can return to the environment that made them sick.

May we wake up, heal ourselves, and build conscious communities to help each other.

Retweet if you feel this is true in your body 🙏