Health worker honoured for helping mum with post-natal depression

Kelly, who works for Rotherham’s early attachment service, provides support for parents and young children identified as having attachment or relationship difficulties.

She won the Public Recognition Award - sponsored and promoted by the Advertiser - after her anonymous nominator told how her listening and support helped her “fight my demons”.

“Kelly offered me listening visits at times of crisis, when I couldn’t access any other services,” she said.

“She makes you feel like you are the most important person there, like there are no other problems as important as yours.

“Look up the word ‘outstanding’ in a dictionary and there should be a picture of Kelly.”

The grateful mum added: “Kelly put my mind at rest and helped me fight my demons.

“She validated my concerns, worries and fears and understood them in a way I didn’t think possible.

“I suddenly didn’t feel like a failure and that there was help out there for me and my son.

“Kelly understood my emotions as though she had watched my life as a fly on the wall, she felt my emotion as though it was her own.

“When I think of Kelly, I think of a person who gave me the most wonderful gift - she gave me my son back.”

Kelly said: “I was totally shocked when I won the Public Recognition Award - it was such a surprise to hear I had been nominated.

“Like many others, I just go about my daily job and don’t expect this level of recognition, which I am really grateful for.

“In my 14 years at the trust, it has been the biggest highlight of my career.”

Visit tinyurl.com/postnatald for more information about post-natal depression.