This month we sat down with Adaeze Okpue to hear more about how her love of nursing led her to case management. Take it away, Adaeze!

How and when did you first join the industry?

I got into it around three years ago now. I was working in intensive care nursing and had been taking on some extra community work when I started to come across reports from case managers.

They were something I hadn’t seen before but really intrigued me.

What was it about case management/occupational therapy that drew you in?

I did some research into the role and I thought it was something I’d enjoy – and because I’d been doing a lot of community work I thought it would be a good fit for me.

I like advocating for clients and helping people who feel they have no one to speak for them. I just enjoy helping people, really.

What has your past experience looked like?

I worked in intensive care for around 15 years after completing my degree in Adult Nursing. It was a sector I’d always wanted to work in because of how much I like helping people, but I especially enjoyed it because of all the extra knowledge you gained. It takes a lot of study which you can then use to help people in other situations.

How does Ben Holden Ltd compare to other companies you’ve worked with?

I love it here. It’s a very welcoming place where everyone is very supportive of one another and happy to help. It’s somewhere where you never feel alone – someone is always there for you.

What’s your career highlight to date?

One case that comes to mind is a recent client who had been homeless for a long time. He had suffered two broken ankles and needed help accessing both housing and rehab services. I helped him find the right social worker and the best temporary accommodation.

He has almost finished his rehab now and I’m really proud of what he’s achieved.

Let’s pretend I am your client, what approach might I expect from you?

I always listen to my clients and want to make sure they feel heard and supported through whatever challenges they face. I’m very approachable and am not one to judge – I just want to help them get the support they need.

If you could change one thing about the case management sector, what would it be?

The main thing that comes to mind is waiting times. It can be so frustrating waiting for things to get approved from partner agencies – whether that’s the lawyers we work with or the public sector. It can’t always be helped, but you just want your client to get the support they need as quickly as possible.

What was your dream job growing up?

Nursing is something I’d always wanted to do. I’ve always liked helping people and have been fascinated by learning more about the human body. My mum was a nurse and my sister a doctor too, so the sector is something I’ve grown up around.

In your work &/or personal life, tell me about your role model?

My mum was definitely my role model. She would come home from a day working on the wards and tell us stories about how she had helped people, and she always seemed so fulfilled and happy. It made me want to help people too.

What is your spirit animal?

That’s a tough question. I’m quite calm and collected, so maybe a dove?

The post Adaeze Okpue: Brains, Banter & Brilliance appeared first on Ben Holden.

How and when did you first join the industry?

I was working in benefit assessments in late 2024 and was looking for a change in career – I found an advert for a case management job online.

I had a friend who worked as a case manager, so I knew a little bit about the role – but it’s one of those careers most people don’t know much about.

What has your past experience looked like?

I’m a nurse by background. I worked on intensive care from when I qualified in 2017 through to early 2024. There are definitely some interchangeable skills, but you use them in different ways.

It definitely helps you learn to work well under pressure, manage your time and handle the difficult conversations sometimes required in the job.

Why Ben Holden Ltd?

It was the website that lured me in – I loved the ethos of the company, the environment and the inclusivity. Those sorts of things are really important to me and they’re not something other firms really shout about.

I had a chat with Ben and I loved the way he spoke about the business and the role – and then I said to myself ‘yeah, I want to work for this man’. I’ve loved it ever since.

What’s the best thing about working here?

The people make the business. Everyone is so supportive, funny and laid back. That positivity rubs off on how we work with our clients, too.

Let’s pretend I am your client, what approach might I expect from you?

I’m definitely an open and honest communicator – I’d like to think I’m approachable and people can confide in me, whether they are clients, families, solicitors or anyone else involved in a case.

But my ultimate focus is always on the client. I’ll advocate for my clients until I’ve got no voice left – they are my priority. I want to finish work every day knowing I’ve done all I can for my clients.

If you could change one thing about the case management sector, what would it be?

I would love for there to be more knowledge and awareness of what we do within the public sector.

I don’t think we get the recognition we should have when dealing with public sector organisations, which isn’t the case with the private sector whom we work quite closely with.

It can be really challenging to access publicly-funded services for our clients because they just don’t know who we are, what we do and why we’re approaching them.

Some acknowledgement that we’re on the same team, we’re not there to make their lives difficult and we just want to help our clients, that would be nice.

What was your dream job growing up?

Throughout my entire childhood all I wanted to be was a teacher. I used to sit and write squiggles on a sheet of paper and mark them as if I was a teacher!

I liked the idea of being a maths teacher, but then as I got older I started looking more into becoming a nurse.

I’d even thought of doing some nursing with the RAF at one point in my life, but that never happened.

In your work &/or personal life, tell me about your role model?

My parents have always been my role models. They’re so hard-working, kind and friendly – and have always supported me with whatever I’ve wanted to do. They’re like my biggest fans.

What is your spirit animal?

My family would say something feisty like a tiger… I would say more sloth because I love to sleep!

The post Jess Tillman: Brains, Banter & Brilliance appeared first on Ben Holden.