Every step outside your comfort zone is an opportunity to grow. At Elysium’s Cotswold Spa Hospital, based in Worcester, a specialist eating disorder service, one nurse has gone from staff nurse to acting clinical service manager. This is Sian’s nursing career journey at Elysium.
From Staff Nurse to Acting Clinical Service Manager
In three years, Sian Cook moved from Staff Nurse to Charge Nurse, then Ward Manager and now, Acting Clinical Service Manager. Along the way, she’s learned that leadership isn’t just about overseeing processes, it’s about ensuring service users’ voices are heard, inspiring multidisciplinary teams and making small but powerful changes that add up to real impact.
In this interview, Sian reflects on the advice that pushed her to apply for a leadership role, how she found her calling in mental health nursing, what drew her to Elysium and the moments that confirmed she’s on the right path.
How did your career at Elysium begin, and what led you to take on your current role?
I joined Elysium three years ago at Cotswold Spa as a Staff Nurse. After eight months, I became a Charge Nurse and about a year later, I stepped up to Ward Manager. When our Clinical Service Manager went on maternity leave, I was encouraged to apply for the interim Acting Clinical Service Manager role. My team and manager really encouraged me and said, “What’s the worst thing that could happen? You won’t lose anything by trying.” That mindset gave me the confidence to go for it, and once I was in the role, I realised how much I could influence decisions, advocate for service users and support my colleagues on a wider scale.
What inspired you to pursue mental health nursing, and where did you study?
Funnily enough, I used to find hospitals terrifying, and when I told my family that I was thinking of going into nursing, they were all shocked. I’d planned to become a teacher, but after doing a placement at a secondary school, I realised it wasn’t for me.
I’ve always been interested in psychology and have personal connections to mental health struggles, so when I read about mental health nursing, it felt like a better fit.
I completed my training at the University of Bristol, and my first placement was on an adult acute 21-bed ward, and it was intense. I wasn’t sure I’d made the right choice until my next placement in a CAMHS adolescent unit, where I fell in love with the work. I loved seeing a young person grow and change in real time, building a close bond with them and their family and guiding them from the beginning of their journey all the way to regaining their independence was incredibly rewarding.
I always knew I wanted to make a difference to the lives of young people, and this enabled me to do just that. It confirmed my career path, and I even returned to that unit as a qualified nurse for nearly three years before joining Elysium.
What drew you to Elysium Healthcare and Cotswold Spa in particular?
I first encountered Cotswold Spa at a careers event, and the videos, the ethos, the environment, all of it felt right. Once I joined, I attended a nursing conference and heard from Joy, our former CEO. She spoke with genuine care about the recovery and care of service users, the people who worked at Elysium Healthcare and the Elysium mission. It wasn’t just business jargon; she spoke from the heart. I realised Elysium really values its staff and service as a community. That sense of connection, even with senior leaders, set Elysium apart from larger organisations where you rarely see decision-makers.
How would you describe the culture at Elysium, and have you had opportunities for professional development?
Elysium’s culture is supportive and accessible. You feel connected to every level of leadership, which isn’t always the case elsewhere. I’m currently enrolled in a ward manager leadership development course that brings together professionals from the NHS and private sector. It’s been invaluable to pause, learn new skills and recharge. Those moments of reflection helped me bring fresh ideas back to the ward.
Can you share an example of how you’ve driven positive change on your ward?
One of our simplest but most effective initiatives has been co-production “thank-you boxes.” They give service users and staff a way to share feedback and appreciation. It’s not a massive investment, but the boost in morale and engagement has been noticeable. In leadership meetings now, I can highlight these small wins and push for more service user-driven ideas, and this is something I couldn’t have done before stepping into this role.
What impact have you seen your work have on service users?
I’ll never forget my first key service user at Elysium. We were both new, she to the service, me to the role, and we supported each other through the early days. She’s now thriving, planning to go to university and has given wonderful feedback to our team and community partners. We’ve seen former patients return to sports clubs, complete nursing degrees and simply regain normality in their lives. Those stories remind me daily why leadership and compassionate care matter.
Ready to grow in your role?
If you are a newly qualified or experienced Nurse looking for a new opportunity to work in an organisation that will help you to develop and achieve your goals, then Elysium Healthcare could be for you. To find a new opportunity at one of our sites across the UK, click here to view our careers page.