Sometimes, life has a funny way of bringing us back to where we belong. My journey with Gateway started as a Health Trainer, working in South Birmingham GP practices. I loved helping people improve their health and confidence, but when the funding ended, I had to move on. I found myself in a finance office, but it just didn’t give me the same fulfilment. I missed working in the community, supporting people to become the best version of themselves.

In 2020, redundancy turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I saw a Social Prescribing role at Gateway and applied immediately. I was thrilled to be back! Before long, I moved into the Solihull Lifestyle Service, a role that brought me back to my passion—helping people take control of their health.

Gateway is more than just a workplace. It’s an organisation that truly cares, not only about the people we support but also about its staff. From wellbeing days to an open-door culture where ideas are encouraged, it’s a place where I feel valued.

I’ve seen Gateway change so many lives, and I know there’s still so much more to do. I’m proud to be part of this journey, and I can’t wait to see what’s next!

Irritability, mood swings, and constant tension were becoming overwhelming for Anna. She found herself snapping at her children, clashing with her partner, and struggling to keep her stress in check. Desperate to regain control, she turned to Gateway’s Health & Wellbeing Coach, Charlotte, for support.

From their very first session, Charlotte listened with empathy, helping Anna identify the key triggers behind her emotional distress. Together, they created a personalised action plan designed to offer both practical solutions and emotional relief.

With Charlotte’s guidance, Anna learned coping strategies to stay calm during stressful moments. She made small but meaningful lifestyle changes—reducing caffeine, increasing exercise, and working on communication with her partner. These adjustments helped lower her anxiety and create a more peaceful home environment.

As the weeks went on, Anna’s progress was undeniable. She found herself staying calmer with her children, resolving conflicts with her partner more constructively, and feeling more in control of her emotions. By the end of their sessions, she felt empowered and confident in managing her emotional well-being moving forward.

With a new set of tools and a fresh perspective, Anna’s journey didn’t just improve her own life—it created a ripple effect, fostering a healthier, happier home for her family too.

I started at Gateway back in 2009 as a Programme Lead and am fortunate during the intervening 16 years to progress to Chief Executive (by way of a few steps along the way!). During that time, I’ve been part of many changes, most of them positive – though that’s always easy to say in hindsight I think 😊

Losing some of the services we’ve been passionate about during the last 19 years has been really hard – our Pregnancy Outreach Worker Services as well as our Health Trainers, felt devastating at the time, and indeed was. But thankfully, we were able to use the learning from those services, and the staff that worked in them, to better support people who now need us, through services like our Solihull Lifestyles, Early Help and MNVP (as well as all the other things we do). So, wherever we’ve had losses, we’ve certainly also had amazing gains. One of our values is that we work hard and never stop learning so I guess that’s true!

The reasons I’ve stayed here at Gateway and not strayed are many – I believe greatly in the work that we do and have never previously had a role that has given me so much personal job satisfaction and pride in what I do. I love working in the areas we do – with, for and alongside genuine, down to earth people who love their communities and want to see them thrive. We also work with some amazing partners, and I’ve met so many brilliant people, who I learn loads from and who, hopefully I support in turn and who we have developed productive and effective partnerships with (you know who you are 😊 ). But mostly, I love the team I work with. It sounds like a cliché, but they really do go the extra mile, in pretty much everything they do and their creativity and can do approach is inspiring to see and be part of.

I hope to be around for a while yet to see what we can achieve next – hopefully you’ll come along with us.

For Mr. W from Kingshurst, walking had always been more than just a way to stay active—it was a form of solace after the loss of his wife. Suffering from a musculoskeletal condition, he found that regular walks provided relief from discomfort, but his routine remained solitary, limited to local errands and familiar routes.

That changed when he met Scott Baldwin, an Active Travel Navigator, at a local church group. Scott saw an opportunity to connect Mr. W with a wider walking community and introduced him to the Active Travel Project. Encouraged by their conversation, Mr. W agreed to attend the upcoming Try It & See event.

At the event, Mr. W found himself surrounded by like-minded individuals eager to explore walking as a social and health-boosting activity. Inspired by the camaraderie, he took the next step—joining a local walking group, with Scott’s support.

Since then, Mr. W has not only rekindled his love for walking but has also discovered a newfound sense of belonging. Engaging with the Active Travel Project has strengthened his confidence and deepened his commitment to staying active.

But his journey doesn’t end there. Mr. W has become a passionate advocate for walking, encouraging others in North Solihull to explore their local routes. Through his involvement, he now champions walking as an accessible, rewarding activity—helping others overcome barriers and discover the benefits of staying active.

Peter, a dedicated single father from North Solihull, was facing the challenges of living with fibromyalgia while caring for his three young children, each with additional needs. At just 31 years old, Peter’s fatigue and pain from his condition made it increasingly difficult to care for his children, particularly his two sons, who both had complex needs.

After seeking help at Arran Surgery, Peter shared his story with Laura Heslington, a social prescriber. He described the struggles of caring for his children, one with ADHD and autism, the other with severe autism, and a daughter awaiting her own assessment. Peter’s parents had supported him with occasional childcare, but their growing challenges made it harder for them to assist.

Understanding Peter’s situation, Laura provided emotional support and connected him with key resources. She referred him to the Connected Care Network, which integrates NHS, education, and social services to address the children’s needs. She also introduced him to the All Age Autism Directory and shared valuable information about Autism West Midlands and Elmwood Family Hub’s activities.

By the end of their sessions, Peter had made significant progress. He connected with the Solihull Carers, referred his sons for assessments, and felt more equipped to navigate both his children’s and his own health needs. Peter expressed his gratitude for the support and resources that have helped him move forward in his journey.

Josephine and her husband Saroj, both in their late 40s, attended the Keep Warm and Well event seeking support. Living with multiple life-affecting medical conditions, they were feeling the weight of the cost of living crisis, which was exacerbating their health challenges and causing additional stress.

They were introduced to the event by their Social Prescriber, who was also present, and Josephine and Saroj were initially uncertain about how they would manage. Reflecting on their experience, Josephine shared, “I came with a heavy heart with little hope but am leaving with a lighter soul and a spring in my step, even after eating all that bread!”

At the event, they received valuable support and resources that made a real difference. They learned about applying for additional welfare benefits, ensuring they receive the full support available to them. They enjoyed a hot meal of delicious soup and left with items to keep warmer through the winter months. A Safe and Well check was arranged with the Fire Service, and they were introduced to Fiona’s courses at St. Germain’s, which they plan to attend.

Josephine and Saroj were also connected with Karis Befriending and spoke with a social worker who will follow up with them. They were overwhelmed with gratitude for the support and connections made during the event, and Josephine expressed their heartfelt thanks, saying, “Thank you for this.”

This event was a beacon of hope for Josephine and Saroj, offering practical support and a renewed sense of community.

Returning to work after a 10-year maternity leave felt like an overwhelming challenge. I had completely lost confidence in my ability to find a job, thinking no one would be interested in hiring someone who had been out of the workforce for so long. However, joining Gateway changed everything for me.

From the moment I started with the Hardship Support Fund (HSF) team, I felt supported in a way I had never experienced before. Gateway not only cared about its clients but also made the wellbeing of its employees a priority. I’d never worked for a company that truly valued its staff in the way Gateway does.

After completing several rounds of funding with the HSF team, I realised how much I enjoyed my work and wanted to stay at Gateway. I was fully supported in transitioning to a more permanent role, with all the necessary training to become an Early Help Administrator. As I settled into that role, Gateway recognised my strengths and encouraged me to take on the role of Family Support Worker. It was the perfect fit for my skills and passions.

I honestly believe that if I’d worked for any other company, I wouldn’t have received the same level of support and nurturing that Gateway has provided me. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities they’ve given me, helping me to grow both professionally and personally.

Katy, Nadia, and Lynsey—our dedicated Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership (MNVP) team—alongside a passionate group of Service User Leads, work tirelessly to ensure that the voices of women and families across Birmingham, Solihull, and the Black Country are heard.

Through open conversations and feedback sessions, they listen to personal stories—some deeply distressing, including experiences of baby loss and trauma—and ensure that these lived experiences shape the design and delivery of maternity and neonatal services. The courage of families in sharing their journeys is matched by the empathy, warmth, and unwavering support of our MNVP team.

But don’t just take our word for it—here’s what families have said about the impact of these meetings:

💬 “Thank you so much for putting on this event. You are doing a wonderful job in trying to improve maternity services and providing a link between services and those accessing care. I found the meeting really useful and felt heard.”

💬 “It was surprising to hear so many others have had negative experiences, but I felt validated knowing I wasn’t alone. Of course, it was also lovely to hear positive experiences—something that doesn’t get celebrated enough.”

💬 “Really felt listened to. Hearing how healthcare professionals are implementing changes after receiving feedback made me feel motivated to do more. If there are more opportunities to help, I’d love to be involved.”

💬 “I wish I had known about this service before. I felt lost in the system when I had my son, and this would have been an excellent way to ensure my voice was heard.”