International Women's Day - Lynne Mekshi

Being a working mum can often be a difficult balancing act. The daily struggle of providing the attention, time, love and support to your family, matched with the demands of a career can often be a challenge with ‘guilt’ being the primary emotion on many occasion. However, on this International Women’s Day, it’s our aim to slash this emotion and replace it with pride, empowerment and support for the amazing women within our business that do a fantastic job, every day, balancing their work-life commitments. Kids or no kids, life is a balancing act that we must embrace.

We recently spoke with our Operations Manager, Lynne Mekshi, to discuss the trials and tribulations as a successful woman in business.

 

When did you start your career in care?

I started my career as a part-time community support worker back in 2001. I took on this role to work around my studies at Stirling University as I undertook a nursing degree. I graduated in 2002 as a registered nurse and accepted my first post in a surgical ward in Stirling Royal infirmary, however, I had a three month period to wait until I could start in the post. During that three months, I applied for bank nurse shifts in my local care home and remained there for over 10 years as a charge nurse. I absolutely loved it and couldn’t imagine working within any other sector.

 

What made you become a nurse in the first place?

I always wanted to help others and know from a very young age that I wanted to be a nurse. I did consider studying medicine for a while but nursing was where my heart was at and I was delighted when I started my nursing studies, it was my dream.

 

What’s been your career journey?

I started as a community support worker/carer, then qualified and worked as a staff nurse for a few years. I then progressed to a charge nurse in the same place and ended up staying there for over 10 years. I really enjoyed my time here but was also keen to challenge myself and as a result, I took a promotion in another care home where I was an enhanced unit manager, responsible for approx. 40 residents.

Not long after I was offered a clinical services manager job similar to a deputy role but with all clinical oversight responsibilities. This was a really interesting role and gave me a great platform to develop and enhance my clinical knowledge whilst ensuring residents were receiving the very best care. I remained in this role for over five years and before I left to become a care home manager.

I commissioned a brand new care home in 2012 and then took over as home manager for a very large care home of 116 beds. I really enjoyed this although this was extremely hard work and challenging through covid.

After covid, I decided it was time for a change and joined the Renaissance family as a Clinical Governance Manager. A post became available for the Operations Manager role and I quickly stepped into this, where I am today!!

 

You’ve recently had a baby; how did you find it returning to work?

I have three amazing children with my youngest just six months old.  I returned when my baby was just nine weeks old which was a difficult and emotional decision, however, a decision that my husband and I both agreed on. I love my family but I also knew it was important to provide for them.

I have a very busy and challenging role so it was really important to me that I was able to return to the job I love as quickly as possible. I’m fortunate that I work at Renaissance as they made the transition so easy, colleagues were supportive and caring and that meant a lot.

 

How do you find it juggling a demanding job with a young family?

It can be difficult some days, trying to balance my family and work, both can be a juggling act. I know many strong woman within Renaissance that have similar daily challenges and my way of managing it is by writing lists for everything I need to achieve with priorities at the top. Each day, I work my way through my lists and achieve what I can day to day. Some days I manage to tick everything off but others it’s nearly impossible, when that happens, I simply regroup and start again – I try not to dwell on the things out with my control.

I’m also a big believer in self-care -it is vital to ensure I can give 100% to all my responsibilities.

 

What would say are your biggest challenges as a working parent?

Trying to balance life, work, friends and family. Making sure that everyone receives all the support they require from me is important to me. Finding the time to do everything well is tough but that’s where I find my lists and organisation skills come in handy!

 

Is there anything that makes it a little bit easier?

Renaissance is a family friendly and people orientated company that offers a flexible approach to working patterns. This has been a great support for me because this allows me to have the time I need for my children whilst being flexible about how and when I deliver within my job.

Also, my extended family are amazing and really help me with child care. Knowing that the people I love are looking after my baby while I work is  great relief. She, and my other two, are safe and cared for – that’s so important.

 

What drives you to success/do your best in your career?

I’ve always been ambitious in my career and really wanted to make a difference in the lives of others. Achieving positive outcomes for all of our residents who use our services genuinely makes me happy and I love being able to influence positive change for people.

I also always wanted to set a good example to my children. I work hard and it’s important for me to show them that they can achieve anything they put their mind to.

 

What do you hope to achieve over the next few years?

To continue making a difference and working as part of this amazing team. I work with some really like-minded and inspiring people - everyone’s focus is on continually making improvements for the people who live and work in all of our services.

 

We have so many wonderful women who live and work in our homes, each incredibly strong and successful in their own right. Today, on International Women’s Day, we celebrate them.