Talking #TeamCWPT blog

Long Service Awards: Sheri's story

From student mental health nurse in 1990 to Head of Service for Talking Therapies, Sheri Ashton reflects on 35 years of growth, leadership, and dedication to patient care.

Sheri Ashton

Job title: Head of Service for Talking Therapies
Years of service: 35

I began my NHS career in 1990 as a student mental health nurse, which marked the start of a long and varied journey within mental health services. Over the years, I've been fortunate to work in a wide range of roles, both within inpatient services at St Michael's Hospital and in the community. These experiences gave me a strong foundation and a real appreciation for the breadth of care provided across the NHS.

In 2009, I retrained as a cognitive behavioural therapist, joining IAPT, now known as NHSTalking Therapies. After qualifying, I worked as a cognitive behavioural therapist within the South Warwickshire Team, before progressing into leadership roles such as seniortherapist/deputy manager, and later team manager. I spent many happy and fulfilling years in South Warwickshire, working alongside dedicated colleagues and supporting the continued development of the service.

I am now Head of Service for Talking Therapies, a role I have found to be both exciting and challenging in equal measure. It has given me the opportunity to think more strategically, support staff at scale, and help shape services that meet the changing needs of our communities.

I joined the NHS after working in the private sector for two years, inspired by my mum, who also worked for Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust. That inspiration, combined with the values of the NHS, played a significant role in my decision to pursue a career here.

My career has been varied and full of opportunities, which is what has kept me working within the NHS for so many years.

I've always tried to lead in a way that's supportive, approachable, and grounded in real experience. I'm proud to work alongside teams who care deeply about the people they support and about each other.