Lyndsey is living proof

Lyndsey Tyndall is living proof that, in life, if you want something badly enough and you’re prepared to work hard, eventually you can get there.

Lyndsey, 33, works at Pine Martin Grange, and with the help and support of the home’s owners, Dormy Care Communities, has just qualified as a Nurse Associate.

It caps a remarkable journey for Lyndsey who saw her dream of becoming a nurse halted after bullying at school put her off education and saw her leave at 16.

“I always knew I wanted to be a nurse, I feel I am a caring, compassionate person and saw it as a role where you were helping people,” said Lyndsey. “But I was bullied and so didn’t want to continue with college or university and instead went straight into work.”

Lyndsey trained with the family business to become a baker but couldn’t shake her calling for the care sector and so took a job in home care support.

Whilst working she gained National Vocational Qualifications in health and social care. She progressed up the career ladder and in 2021 gained the post of team leader at Pine Martin Grange.

Helen Davies-Parsons, founder of Dormy Care and herself a registered nurse for 33 years, recognised Lyndsey’s potential and she was offered the chance of a sponsored degree in nursing – combining her work at Pine Martin with University study.

It offers a pathway for mature students to qualify as nurses who, for financial or personal reasons, wouldn’t be able to take the traditional route of spending three years full time at University.

The two-year course was very demanding as Lyndsey learned a range of nursing skills. It meant working 12 hour shifts three days a week at Pine Martin Grange, with another day spent studying at Bournemouth University. There were also placements at a hospital, GP surgery and District Nursing team.

That hard work has paid off as Lyndsey now has a Foundation degree and is a qualified Nurse Associate, allowing her to carry out a far greater range of nursing skills as well as leader and management duties in her role at Pine Martin Grange.

“I can’t thank Pine Martin enough for giving me this opportunity,” said Lyndsey. “The support of my colleagues, the manager and founder has been phenomenal. I have achieved a lifetime ambition and I couldn’t have done that without them.”

Outside of work Lyndsey likes to relax with a bit of gaming – with Call of Duty and Zelda her favourites. She also likes to travel and is looking forward to a city break in Sofia, Bulgaria and hopes to return to Eqypt.

“It’s such a fascinating country, full of history. I’ve been once before and got to touch a pyramid but there is so much more I would like to see,” she said.

Career-wise she’s currently discussing with management the possibility of a further year of University and work to complete her degree and become a fully qualified nurse. A remarkable turnaround for someone who left school at 16.

“I used to hate school, now I love to study and want to learn more so I can be the best I can at my job,” she said. “I love working at Pine Martin Grange, everyday is different and the residents are lovely, it’s so rewarding to be able to help people live out their lives as comfortably and enjoyably as possible,” said Lyndsey.

Helen Lacey, Home Director at Pine Martin Grange, said the company is always looking to develop, train and promote from within and the vocational study route worked well both for Lyndsey and the home.

“We are all extremely proud of what Lyndsey has achieved,” said Helen. “She is now able to offer so much more as a result of this qualification. In addition to being a team leader, she brings a wealth of current nursing knowledge and confidence in leadership and managing clinical incidents.”