Sam McConkey shares his experience since joining the BDA’s Northern Ireland Board.
There aren’t many members of the dietetic support workforce currently sitting on our committees, what do you get out of it and why did you put yourself forward in the first place?
I applied to volunteer as the dietetic support worker representative within the BDA's Northern Ireland Board and attended my first committee meeting in September this year. My motivation for joining was based on my personal experiences as a dietetic assistant for over three years and hearing similar experiences from colleagues across the region at BDA support worker training events.
I am very passionate about giving this part of the workforce a voice and making sure they are adequately represented. Unfortunately, many within the dietetic workforce are not provided with opportunities for development and progression within their roles, leading to staff stagnation and turnover.
My current main priorities are to ensure support workers are banded and paid appropriately for the work they undertake as well as encouraging development and progression in their roles. It’s also important to bring apprenticeship schemes to Northern Ireland to enable progression from support worker to dietitian, which have been successfully implemented in other regions of the United Kingdom.
What’s your experience been so far and what have you enjoyed about it?
I have enjoyed my experience volunteering with the BDA so far. I have taken part in several meetings including the planning of a BDA regional celebration event, a media group meeting and a dietetic support worker roundtable discussion.
I have found the BDA to be very welcoming and keen to hear my thoughts regarding the dietetic support workforce and issues within my region and beyond. I am grateful to be given a voice that will influence positive and progressive change for this section of the workforce.
It has been refreshing to see the dietetic support workforce and the issues they face treated as priorities by the BDA. I would encourage all dietetic support workers to get involved and ensure we continue to be represented and heard.
How might other committees integrate a support worker in discussions, ensuring meetings are inclusive?
Having a dietetic support worker integrated into discussions is vital to ensure this area of the workforce is adequately represented. Unfortunately, support workers are routinely overlooked and excluded from discussions. Having a dietetic support worker contribute to BDA meetings is of fundamental importance for us to feel recognised and the issues we face adequately understood.
At the meeting I have been allocated time to relay issues and discuss solutions to problems facing the support workforce. I have found this rewarding and impactful.
Many support workers have worked in areas other than the NHS and often come from a variety of backgrounds, without dietetic support worker representation unique perspectives will be missed. Inclusivity and diversity are key for a progressive organisation such as the BDA to continue to flourish.
What have you been working on so far?
The main areas I have contributed to so far relate to the dietetic support workforce. I have participated in a roundtable discussion related to roles and responsibilities. I have agreed to draft a survey aimed at dietetic support workers regarding the introduction of apprenticeship schemes to Northern Ireland. I look forward to finalising this survey and hope to reach all support workers in the region. I hope this will provide further evidence for the necessity of dietetic apprenticeships within Northern Ireland.
I would highly recommend volunteering for the BDA especially as a dietetic support worker. The BDA is doing vital work to improve conditions and recognition for the dietetic support workforce. Please consider being a part of it!
