Almost a year after turning her dream into reality, former volunteer Mehtap Durmus, from Hartlepool, is celebrating a successful milestone in her role at University Hospitals Tees.
Mehtap’s inspiring journey first began as a hospital volunteer on ward 40 at the University Hospital of North Tees and as a welcomer in the main outpatients in the University Hospital of Hartlepool, while she pursued her ambition of returning to a career in healthcare.
In October 2025, she secured a paid role within critical care at the University Hospital of North Tees, fulfilling a dream of working within the NHS.
Now, as she nears 12-months in post, Mehtap is reflecting on how far she has come and the opportunities her role has already provided.
Since taking on the role, Mehtap has progressed from clinical support worker to healthcare assistant and continues to develop her skills every day within the critical care unit.
Mehtap said: “I am learning so much every day on the unit. Since starting my role, I have progressed to becoming a healthcare assistant and it has really helped me grow in confidence.
“I have to say that my family – especially my husband and daughters – have been a huge help throughout this journey and I wouldn’t have been able to do this without their unwavering support.
“Working here has also made me think about what the next steps could be for me, whether that is progressing into nursing or midwifery in the future.”
Mehtap credits her volunteering experience as being a key part of her journey into employment.
Before securing her role, she spent several years volunteering within the trust, gaining valuable insight into hospital life, supporting patients and developing her confidence.
She continues: “Volunteering really helped me with the transition into employment. It gave me experience of helping on the wards and the opportunity to see how a ward operates within the NHS.
“I was able to observe staff, interact with patients and understand more about working in a hospital environment. It reassured me that I could work within the NHS as an employee and helped me return to doing what I love most – caring for others.
Caring for others has always been my passion, I have done it all my life and I feel very fortunate that I can continue doing something that means so much to me.”
As someone who qualified overseas before moving to the UK, Mehtap is keen to encourage others in a similar position not to give up on their ambitions and is keen to highlight how volunteering can be the first step towards a rewards career in the NHS.
She said: “Volunteering at the hospital can help improve your confidence and language skills. If you are qualified to work within healthcare but have not yet secured employment within the NHS, volunteering can give you a real sense of belonging.
“It allows you to work within a health and care environment, gain experience, help others and build your confidence while working towards your goal.”