Ruth's PAs

The experience of being Ruth’s PA was varied, rewarding, challenging, exciting, and unpredictable – that’s the nature of a job which runs alongside someone’s everyday life. I got to experience things which I wouldn’t have otherwise, like assisting Ruth during legal mediations or accompanying her to talks at engineering firms. Even the more ordinary moments like getting ready in the morning or cooking dinner in the evening were made enjoyable by Ruth’s stories and advice, or turned entertaining when Sprocket (Ruth and Dave’s dog) stole something into the garden which needed carefully retrieving!

I applied to be Ruth’s PA during my final year at university as a third-year History student with little idea of what I wanted my career to be but with the shorter-term plan, like lots of my friends, of taking a gap year to go travelling. Just because I wasn’t searching for a permanent position didn’t mean I wanted to compromise on work which was fulfilling and engaging, and which would give me skills to take into future employment. Also, the shift pattern allowed me to take up other part-time work and further grow my pot of travel savings.

Though growing up with a disabled brother, I had no practical experience of providing personal care or working as a personal assistant, and can remember just how nervous I felt as I approached the door for my first shift. But here is where future PAs should take note: throw yourself into this job which will likely feel unknown and daunting. As clichéd as it might be, stepping outside of your comfort zone is where you’ll learn the most. Most of all, as a self-proclaimed perfectionist, I learnt to be patient with myself. Mistakes happen, but you must get on with it – especially when you are responsible for someone beyond yourself!

With the lessons I’ve learned and the money I’ve saved, I’m soon off to travel Australia, New Zealand, and beyond. Though I’m still unsure as to what I want my career to be, I’m sure that I have left Ruth as a more confident and well-rounded person, whichever path I end up taking. 

Let me take you on a journey back to when I decided to step into the role of Ruth's Personal Assistant during my master's program. It was a time of juggling academic demands while yearning for a part-time gig that could fuel my legal curiosity and cultivate transferable skills. 

My initial expectation was to gain legal knowledge and build skills, but Ruth and Dave became mentors - sharing the intricacies of life. Sprocket, their adorable furball, added an extra layer of joy during breaks.

I learned the art of putting others before myself and understanding the significance of someone else's well-being. Ruth and Dave opened their hearts and taught me that work is more than tasks.

Ruth's life lessons, woven into conversations about careers and life, left an enduring impact. Assisting her in legal matters not only enhanced my professional skills but also broadened my perspective on my chosen path.

Ruth's communication style is tailored to each individual, and went beyond the typical professional dynamic, creating a genuine connection. Reflecting on this journey, various career options unfolded. Ruth's influence guided me to becoming a Teaching Assistant for SEN children, a dream for an international student like me.

For new PAs, I assure you, the beginning may seem challenging, but trust Ruth. She's not just supportive; she's a guiding light. 

The experience has opened doors to new opportunities, propelling me into a role where I now advocate for others. The practical lessons learned during my stint seamlessly translate into my current professional life. Now, practising law in my home country, I carry not just legal knowledge but a deeper understanding of the human aspect of the profession, thanks to Ruth's invaluable lessons on prioritizing people, communication, and empathy.

To all new PAs out there – stepping out of your comfort zone may seem daunting, but trust me, it pays off. The journey with Ruth was about more than just tasks; it was about personal transformation. Those early challenges were the building blocks of my current success.

Here's to continuous growth, both personally and professionally, and to the amazing journey that began with Ruth.

After finishing my A-Levels feeling burnt out and frustrated, I took a gap year to recuperate and save up for university. Working for Ruth was a very unique opportunity in amongst the many retail and hospitality options, and aligned best with my plans to study Psychology.

I hoped to become more independent and confident over the course of my gap year, and working for Ruth contributed massively to this. The residential shift pattern helped me get used to living away from home, even if only for short periods of time, and made my transition to university life much easier. It also allowed me to continue my involvement in volunteering and theatre alongside work. Ruth has helped me to become a more confident communicator, something I’ve struggled with in the past. She has also taught me to embrace the uncertainty of adulthood, and that it is impossible to know everything when you’re just starting out.

Working as a PA has been very varied and exciting (a highlight of my time being accompanying Ruth and Dave on their holiday to the Peak District), while also giving me the mental space to reset after an exhausting few years of education. My favourite moments have been the conversations I’ve had with Ruth. Hearing about her experiences of university eased my anxieties about starting my degree and helped me know what to look for at open days. She’s also helped me feel more secure in myself, my skills and my needs, which was truly invaluable during a time of huge uncertainty for me.

I've gone on to an integrated Master’s degree in Psychology and hope to pursue a career as a therapist.

To any new PAs, if you’ve never done something like this, you’re bound to stumble a little at first! Mistakes aren’t the end of the world, just make sure you learn from them and you’ll come out much stronger!

I’d finished Drama School, and needed a break. I needed to take a step back, breathe and have space to decide what I actually wanted. I was hoping for a new experience that was completely different from what I’d been doing at Uni. 

I wanted to make a difference, and do some more rewarding work than another year in hospitality. I wanted to have the flexibility to travel in my time off and see friends up and down the country whilst still earning. Ruth was able to make this possible: in my time off I have travelled to Chile, Scotland, Norfolk, and split my time between home and Birmingham (where my partner lives). 

Ruth is very good at giving directions and every day is different. I have learnt and experienced a lot. I have accompanied Ruth to her many different jobs, visited engineering workshops, assisted her at talks, sat in on discussions about mediation. 

Whilst at work Ruth has given me all sorts of advice and has helped me work through some very difficult decisions. As well as my travelling Ruth has also accommodated my move back into acting, I’ve been able to take an acting class and go to auditions. The flexibility and security within the job have given me the space and confidence to go back into the acting world. I’ve started professionally acting again, auditioning and booking jobs. 

My piece of advice to new PAs:  Trust Ruth, she knows everything you need to know.

At the time of applying for Ruth’s PA, I was waiting for my funding decision to start a PhD in September 2022. It was a time of great uncertainty for me and I really wanted to find a space to stay concentrated and learn new things. For me, working as Ruth’s PA during the summer was a journey of personal and professional growth. Ruth always gave clear guidance and is very good at maintaining a work routine, so I would usually know my work schedule for the day in the morning. 

There was plenty of free time for me as well, so I could do some reading in the PA’s room to get prepared for my upcoming study. Communicating with Ruth helped me to become a better English speaker, which was immensely helpful as I major in translation studies and translate from Chinese to English, which is my second language.

Ruth was not only a good employer but a mentor for me. Now, as a full-time PhD student, I am thankful to her for my awareness of making early professional connections and my confidence in navigating various daily tasks while doing research.  

My piece of advice for new PAs is to listen and think before you get to work, and always turn to Ruth if you are not sure about things. 

Throughout my final year at Oxford, I was planning to take a gap year after graduating, in order to work and travel before beginning a career (what sort of career this would be, I did not know).

In the throes of lockdown, and with great uncertainty as to what the following winter would hold, or if I would be able to travel, I decided I should use the first half of my gap year to work whilst I focussed on deciding what sort of career I would like to embark upon after my gap year. I then applied to be a PA for Ruth after the university careers service e-mailed out the job advertisement.

The shift patterns of the job meant I had time to discover new opportunities and think about the sort of career I wanted to establish, this would have been much more difficult in other jobs.

Although being a PA for Ruth is very different to being an intellectual property solicitor (my now chosen career path), the skills I learnt were invaluable. For me, the biggest skill I developed and improved was being able to listen carefully to Ruth and follow instructions, both in day to day life and in the personal care aspects of the job. And, as someone who previously always felt the need to be in control of everything and planning ahead, learning to put all of Ruth's needs above mine and to focus on someone else has made me a much more flexible and easy-going person, which has been useful both in my personal and professional life.

I am delighted that I will now be completing a training contract with a niche intellectual

property firm, who are the perfect fit for me, beginning in September 2022 after a few months of travelling.

As an Oxford Law graduate who felt very lost in terms of the direction my life was going to take (as I was not following the path of most of my peers), being around Ruth and hearing about her own life experiences helped steer me in the right direction. I appreciate that this similarity of backgrounds between myself and Ruth is uncommon, but I think it speaks volumes of her personality and what a great opportunity it is to be able to spend time with someone with so many rich and varied life experiences.

I applied to be Ruth’s PA as I was finishing my degree. I’d found it hard to meet the demands of my degree while also applying to graduate jobs that had become even more competitive during the pandemic. However, I had become increasingly interested in pursuing a career in social work for which I would need some experience in the health and social sector and I also really wanted to be able to afford to carry on living independently after university. The job with Ruth ticked both these boxes!

I hoped that being a PA would build my confidence in a practical role after doing such an academic degree. I also thought that taking on a role where I had some responsibility for another person’s wellbeing would be invaluable as I looked into graduate careers in the health and social sector. I expected that the time off between shifts would also be really valuable as it would give me more time to research and apply for future opportunities and gain some experience volunteering too.

Although initially the thought of having such a responsible role was daunting, Ruth’s clear communication and kindness made me feel comfortable and competent in the role almost immediately.

Working as a PA has given me an unexpected sense of self confidence and fulfillment. I also feel really privileged to have gotten to know Ruth whose work ethic and pragmatic but positive approach to her professional and personal life is something I aspire to.

The role also helped me gain a place on the Frontline graduate scheme which will allow me to gain a masters and train as a children and families social worker, a career which I’m incredibly excited about.

My piece of advice for future PAs would be to be confident in the knowledge that Ruth will tell you exactly what you need to do the role well, and to always check you don’t leave with the PA keys at the end of your shift!

I applied to be Ruth's personal assistant during the pandemic in 2021. After completing my contemporary fine art degree in Nottingham in 2019 and moving to France to be an au pair for a year, I returned home in 2020 unsure of what I should do next. Due to the pandemic, I had to put my plans for travelling on hold. I stumbled across this job online and after reading the job requirements I thought I would be a suitable candidate. Even though I had no experience in working in this field before I wanted to broaden my skill set and thought this would be a fantastic opportunity to do that in.

Being a personal assistant you naturally spend a lot of time with Ruth which was great. Having one-to-one training with your boss is a luxury not many people will experience. Ruth always gives clear kind instructions on what she requires of you. One of my favourite parts of the job was cooking with Ruth, I loved having a chat with Ruth while learning many more yummy recipes (that I have tried making lots of times out of work.) Of course, having no real experience in a job so demanding and with such a high personal care level can seem scary but Ruth puts you at ease and guides you through every step. Returning home after a year of this job I have learned so many great skills from Ruth; such as putting someone else's needs before your own which was very rewarding as you know you are making a difference in someone else's life. I know I have made certain skills I probably wouldn't have learned until later in life. 

My next steps I will be training to work on Yachts, and travel. Once I have travelled for a few years I am planning on becoming a primary school teacher, another job that requires care and kindness. 

My advice for future PAs would be to always listen carefully to what Ruth is saying and be confident!

When I applied to be a personal assistant I was struggling to find a interim job after deferring my university start date from September 2020 to September 2021. Due to there being a global pandemic it didn’t seem like the viable option to start my education as initially planned. Whilst looking for a job to get me by I stumbled across an advertisement to work for Ruth and after reading through all of the information provided I thought it would be an excellent opportunity to improve myself and life experiences in the lead up to September.

During my first shift I was rather worried I wasn’t going to grasp the skills required for the role, but with the great support from Ruth, I managed the confidence required for the position. 

Being a PA is rewarding because you are always learning something new, whether it is through Ruth’s life experiences or just in general. There is always something gained at the end of each shift.

Personally, I have gained a lot of confidence during my experience as a PA because I doubted myself at the beginning and I realise now that I can do something if I set my mind to it.

After finishing my 6 month contract I will be going on to study Wildlife conservation and Zoo Biology at Salford University as initially planned, whilst continuing my role as an occasional PA.

One piece of advice I’d give to a new PA is to never forget a phone charger, you will need it. 

I applied to be a PA to Ruth during the Covid 19 pandemic.  I had just graduated with a degree in Sociology and was looking for work.  I quickly realised that graduate life was hard and job prospects were limited due to the pandemic.  After months of job searching with no luck, I stumbled upon this PA role and decided to apply for it.  I applied for the role because I was looking for more meaningful work.  As well as this, I needed to have one on one care experience for my career progression.  This was the perfect role for me to gain this experience that I was lacking.  

I was hoping to learn how to care for someone.  I was also expecting to learn things from putting myself out of my comfort zone.  I had no prior experience of caring and the thought of having such responsibility was daunting.  

I found being a PA a very enriching experience.  I learnt a plethora of new skills from Ruth that I will continue to use everyday.  It was also a great experience to get a first hand experience of life with a disability. 

I gained so much more than I expected from this job.  I learnt how to put my needs aside for a short period of time and focus on what Ruth needs.  This was very intrinsically rewarding as you are making a direct difference to someone's life and enabling them to do the things that they need to do.  Whether this be cooking a meal for Ruth and Dave or helping Ruth with personal care.  It is a great opportunity for someone who is looking for a stepping stone in their career and develops skills whilst doing so.  I am now significantly more employable and have developed great interpersonal skills.  

As I finish as a PA I am relocating to London and I am in the process of applying for new jobs.  I hope to do a part time masters next year in London in Gender studies.

I applied to work for Ruth as I had just graduated from university and I was waiting for my current job to start. I was looking for an interesting short term job to earn a bit of money but still have the flexibility to enjoy my time off, which you definitely get with the chunks of time in between shifts.

I didn’t really know what to expect before starting ! Having only met Ruth once prior to the first shift I felt a bit nervous going to stay at her house but very quickly realised there was nothing to worry about. I really loved working for Ruth whilst also getting to know her. She’s such an interesting woman and is able to offer advice on just about everything. I enjoyed hearing her stories from her varied life- from her experiences as a magic circle lawyer to reminiscing (including life lessons!) from uni days.

It was great learning all the new skills that the role offers in a short time period. Ruth’s ability to explain how she wants things done so precisely is amazing and made me feel comfortable in my ability to do the job. Working for Ruth offered me a new perspective on life and her passion to seize every opportunity is definitely something that I have tried to channel in my life since.

My best bit of advice is to go into each shift with an open mind. And learn to make a good cup of tea!

I was coming to the end of my final year at University and had decided to take a year out to earn some money to put towards my Masters. I had been looking through job sites when my dad sent me a link to an advertisement on Indeed that said ‘Personal Assistant to Ruth Everard’. 

I had a look through the website and realised this would be the perfect job for me; the scheduled time on and off (with more time off than on!) meant I could still have other commitments, like going out with friends, or volunteering. The application process was thorough but straightforward, and I was really pleased to be chosen to work with Ruth.

It took me a couple of weeks to get used to the work, just like any job you start, but after a while it was like second nature. I really enjoyed my time working with Ruth and learnt key skills which will certainly help me in the future; such as, resourcefulness, efficiency, and responsibility. 

I think my favourite part about working with Ruth was getting to know her, but also trying to keep up with her busy schedule as every day seems to be an adventure!

I had taken a step back from primary teaching, and was looking for a job to sit alongside some youth work and tutoring. 

Being a personal assistant wasn’t at all what I had planned. But somehow the role seemed like the right fit, a feeling which was only strengthened when I met Ruth in person. So I was a regular PA for 3- or 4-night shifts over a period of 6 months in 2018-19, helping with cooking, cleaning and simply being alongside Ruth as she travelled to meetings and social events. 

I had worried about being able to manage aspects of personal care, having had no previous experience, but Ruth was there to guide me every step of the way and I learnt that the most important qualities were empathy and a willingness to keep trying. 

A piece of advice for extroverted PAs like me was that in this role, it’s important to hold true to your own character whilst also learning when it is most appropriate to fade into the background. One of the hardest parts was time by myself when Ruth didn’t need me for a while. But slowing down is so valuable and I don’t think I am the only PA who looks back on these quieter periods as so precious: an opportunity to properly reflect on everything from my interests to careers to relationships. 

This role can be a unique life experience – an opportunity to grow in understanding of yourself and others – not least because Ruth is such an accomplished, interesting and reflective person to be around. 

Since my time with Ruth I am now married, and working as Development Coordinator for not-for-profit EmpathyLab, the first organisation to focus on the power of reading to build children’s and young people’s empathy skills. 

When I applied to work for Ruth I had just finished university and had no idea what my next steps would be. I stumbled across Ruth’s advert, thinking I was way out of my depth but I thought ‘screw it’ and went for it. When I started a few weeks later I had no idea what the job would hold, having no previous relevant experience. The next year that followed was full of learning for me - personally, about Ruth, and so, so much learning about life.

Fast forward a few years and I am now working as a Bid Writer for a recruitment agency in Manchester, a job I wouldn’t have landed without working for Ruth.

I was just looking for a job, a next step, but this job gave me so much more than that to take on with me throughout my career. I am often asked about my work with Ruth, and it is a joy to tell the story.

If you’re having any doubts, just go for it. It will be so worth it! 

When I applied to be Ruth's PA I was doing a preparation course for a job and applying for a Master's after finishing my undergraduate degree.

I was hoping to be able to work in Cambridge while also having time to learn for my course, and to learn new skills that would look good on my CV.

I found the job exciting and challenging. There were lots of new things to do, but Ruth always gave me really clear instructions, so it was easy to pick up what I needed to do and we got on really well, which helped me settle into the job as well.

I gained valuable experience in working for someone, which helped me have experiences to talk about in the job interviews I have had since, including the one where I got my current job, a year after working for Ruth. I also got much better at managing my own time, as well as listening and communicating effectively. These skills have been transferable to all the places I have found myself since.

One piece of advice I would give to new PAs is to listen to what is needed in each new situation and be open to learning something new from them.

I'm now studying a Psychology Masters while also working at a secondary school in Cambridge as the Communication and Interaction Lead, as I train to become either an educational or clinical psychologist to work more with children with communication, interaction and emotional difficulties. 

I was travelling via Egypt and India from Australia on my way to live in the UK. I was 22 and was doing to the Aussie thing of moving to the UK for work/travel. A few weeks before I landed in London I put an ad on Gumtree looking for work. It was pretty successful because I had an interview and a job at a Garden Centre within the first 24hrs of arriving at Heathrow. But it was awful! I was put on what was basically a 6 day roster, and living in a hostel wondering whether I was actually going to get to see any of London anytime soon, let alone any further. 

This is when I was contacted by Ruth and I went to Cambridge for an interview. I was convinced I didn’t have the job because National Express made me so late and I remember being very sweaty. But Ruth contacted me! And offered me a contract starting in a month! I couldn’t really believe it to be honest. I left my two weeks of garden centre work, found a room in a flat and explored London while waiting for my position with Ruth to start. 

I really had no idea what to expect from the position. I had never done anything like it before, but Ruth had assured me she preferred hiring people with no experience. Being a PA was all the things. It was easy, it was hard. It was adventurous, it was boring. It was fun, It was frustrating. It really isn’t like any other job. There isn’t a set of tasks laid out for you to go off and complete on your own. Which at times made if very difficult, we all have days we’d like to just be left alone to get some work done. 
But its also one of the best jobs I’ve ever had, and definitely the job that has taught me the most. I’m not sure I can summarise all the things I gained in the time I worked for Ruth. 

Ruth herself is an incredible woman to work with, especially in your early 20s. She is unapologetically herself. And isn’t much concerned with acting or living her life in a way others might think she should. When you're young there’s a lot of the world that tells you to fit neatly into a box. Especially as a woman, and I expect even more so when faced with the obstacles Ruth has. Surround yourself with women who inspire you to be yourself. 
 

New PAs, don't be afraid to ask questions. If you’re anything like me starting this job, you’ll have little experience working in personal care. Just ask. Ruth won’t bite. Also, perfect your cloak of invisibility. I think the key to being a great PA is to know how to be present without taking up space. Putting the people Ruth interacts with at ease, letting them ignore you comfortably. Your purpose is to assist Ruth in living life.

I’m now 30 years old and living back in Melbourne, Australia. Since finishing work with Ruth and leaving the UK I’ve been back to uni to do more study and am now working as a Digital Designer. 

I graduated from University in 2012 and wanted to spend a year working and travelling while figuring out my career path. My friend Sophie from University had worked with Ruth previously and knew she was looking for a new PA. It was a perfect opportunity- a fulfilling job, which allowed me to save money to go travelling. Having just moved back in with my parents, getting away for 4-5 nights at a time was also probably beneficial for all of us!

I travelled to Cambridge from Kent on the train to get to work, which was about a 3 hour commute- given that I stayed at Ruth’s for multiple days at a time, this didn’t bother me, and it was a chance to enjoy a new part of England. Working for Ruth you need to be adaptable. Some shifts were very routine, with time spent at Ruth’s home and the office. For other shifts Ruth’s calendar might involve client meetings, going out with friends or attending events- one time we went to a wedding of one of Ruth’s friends who was a former PA. Ruth was always excellent at articulating exactly what she needed and so none of the tasks ever seemed too difficult despite my inexperience in this sort of role.

Naturally as a PA you spend a lot of time with Ruth and I really learnt so much from her. She is both an Oxford graduate and an entrepreneur so for me, fresh out of University, she was someone I could look up to and she quickly became a confidante. It was also really eye-opening seeing how poorly our society can cater for people with physical disabilities, and that is something which I am trying to bring about change in through my current job as a Transport Planner in Sydney, Australia.

My advice to someone thinking about being a PA is don’t worry about feeling underqualified. Ruth will take you through what she needs. Be open minded, and always have something to occupy you in quiet times.

Hi I'm Sharon and I worked for Ruth occasionally during holidays at uni. It was my very first paid job and a wonderful learning experience with lots of fun. Ruth is still a good friend and an invaluable mentor of mine today.

Though I had little clue what it meant to be a PA when I went for my first ever job interview, the opportunity to work with such an impressive lady wasn't one that could be missed. It turned out to be perfect for an overseas student: my time was basically spent in 3 parts: lots of spare time for revision, some interesting cultural experience from authentic British family events (e.g. Christmas and Easter) and following Ruth's instructions which often turned out to be insightful (though subtle) mentoring sessions. Personally, it felt more like paid vacation than a job!

Thinking back, the most memorable learning for me was from the third part - time spent with Ruth: seeing her in action problem solving and giving lawyer-style super precise instructions in no time, listening to her fascinating life stories from a student at Oxford to magic circle law firm and finally to a female entrepreneur, hearing her unique and structured analysis on every life matter even including established cultural traditions - every moment is a mentoring session. Many of these learning points are still important as I progress my career in finance.

For prospective PAs: value every minute you have with Ruth, enjoy and be inspired!

I was a regular PA for Ruth from October 2010 until the summer of 2011 when I went to work as a campsite courier in the south west of France. I then returned as an occasional PA from the end of 2011 until the summer of 2012 doing the odd weeks and weekends while working other jobs (bar work and Blockbusters) and training to be a Metropolitan Special Constable in East Croydon. I finished working for Ruth when I started working full time for LSO Live, the record label of the London Symphony Orchestra, which was the first step on the ladder of my current career in the classical recorded music industry.

When I worked for Ruth I had just graduated from York University (2010) where I studied a BA Honours in Music, with trumpet as my principle instrument and piano as my second instrument. I achieved a 2:1 degree. I went into the job with Ruth expecting something totally different from what I had been used to (music and hospitality related jobs) and hoped that the job would give me a new experience, a challenge, and an opportunity to grow as a person.

I found being a PA a very rewarding position, and I likened it almost to a finishing school. I experienced what it means to really put the needs of another person first, to persevere when situations become particularly physically or emotionally challenging, as well as practical skills such as how to bulk cook, iron, clean and even catch spiders!

The advice I would give to new PAs is embrace every opportunity as a learning experience. While oftentimes in the job you will find your own wants and needs holding a secondary position, it is important to understand that that is the nature of the job. Once you accept that, it’s a great opportunity to grow and understand that the world isn’t always about “you” – perhaps an ever popular mind-set amongst young adults, arguably not a very positive one.  

I now work as the Streaming & Distribution Specialist for PENTATONE in the Netherlands where I have been since the beginning of 2018, dealing with physical and digital distribution and streaming campaigns & opportunities with the likes of Spotify, Apple Music & Amazon. I am also a piano teacher and an active member of my local church (despite still not being able to speak Dutch, haha!) 

During my gap year I worked as a personal assistant (PA) for Ruth for regular shifts of around four to six nights at a time, with a break of one to two weeks between each. Following this I did occasional shifts when needed during my University holidays.

When I applied to work for Ruth I was trying to earn some money to travel abroad. I was also hoping to find some work that would be relevant to my thoughts of a career in healthcare in the future. I expected that the work may be challenging and tiring but I also thought it sounded like an experience that would teach me a lot. In both respects I was right.

I initially found it difficult not knowing when I would be needed or what I would be needed for, however I found that I quickly acclimatised to this. As an eighteen year old it was difficult being woken during the night when needed, but one night, after sleeping through the night and waking in a panic that the alarm had broken, I discovered that this is not always required! I quickly developed lots of new skills and confidence that later helped me transition from living at home to university. I also really valued learning skills from Ruth such as having to deal with challenges and problem solving.

There was plenty of down time on shift for hobbies like reading and drawing, and later for university revision. I enjoyed other things such as attending festivals with Ruth and helping with life in the office and at home. I enjoyed my time with Ruth and her family and felt I spent my time at work with a friend as well as my employer. Working as a PA gave me valuable experience for the healthcare jobs I held after university. Further to these I went on to train as a Physician Associate (a different sort of PA!) and now work in a GP surgery.

One piece of advice for a future PA would be to always have a book on you!