After suddenly losing her husband in 2021, and her job shortly after, Zaskia found the thought of going back to her “usual” job role very scary. These experiences led her bravely into a career in care with Newcross, where she consistently makes a positive difference to people’s lives.
We caught up with Zaskia to find out more about her career change and why care means so much to her.
Could you please tell us a bit about your care career with Newcross so far?
I started at Newcross Healthcare Solutions because the idea of making a difference to those in care felt like the right thing to do. I loved my role as Client Success Executive, where I would interact with our care staff and clients alike.
When the opportunity arose to move back into a sales environment, I was hesitant, but it ignited that love for the role again. I was… dare I say… excited?! I have since enrolled into an apprenticeship to maximise my skills and experience within the role and business.
I’m definitely looking forward to what’s next. Life really begins when fear ends 
How do you use your own experiences to support healthcare workers?
I struggle to ask for help, and that was almost my downfall with what I went through. For me, when listening to healthcare worker colleagues who are having a tough shift, I felt this urge to allow them the ability to speak freely and be a safe space for them.
Opening up about how things affect you as a person can sometimes be one of the most challenging obstacles to overcome, and letting them know I’ll listen without judgement is my way of helping them.
What you have been through is incredibly tough. How did it affect your mental health? Are there any positive takeaways you’re happy to share?
What I went, and am still going, through is such a journey. When you’re young, you have this idea of how life should be and how things will work out for you. In my case it did, for a while.
Following the death of my husband, life, and this idea of how life was meant to be, shattered. Coming to terms with this took a while, but I found myself. As a young married couple, you sort of merge ways, likes, and dislikes together, and become almost a mirror of each other. I had to, at the age of 32, figure out who I was as a grown-up and individual, not a wife.
It was a journey of self-acceptance and personal growth. Widowhood is not a destination where you stay, it’s a journey, a path, to finding yourself again.
Suhail’s wellbeing sessions were extremely touching to me personally, as I could relate to things so much. His own experiences in life, even though vastly different to mine, still had an element of similarity. I recall messaging my manager who was also on the session and telling her that I needed a moment to compose myself. She was amazing and checked to make sure I was ok. I will forever be grateful for her support.
This chapter in my life, has opened me up to feel so deeply for others, showing compassion, and extending that helping hand. I know how much I needed it, and now it’s my turn to give back to those around me.
