‘Children just want to know people are listening to them’

Simon Hardcastle is about to take over as head of nursing children’s services hospital in Kettering, Northamptonshire.

What is your current job?

I work as a senior quality improvement manager for NHS England East Midlands Clinical Network on the children and young people’s mental health and emotional well-being programme. My new job starts in October.

Why did you become a children’s nurse?

I had worked with children and young people as a volunteer youth worker with the YMCA on a youth performing arts programme called Ten Sing. As they experienced mental health issues and had a number of medical conditions, I realised I wanted to work in a profession where I can improve health and well-being outcomes for children and young people.

What might you have done otherwise?

I would have pursued a career in youth or