Real Life Story: Joanna Griffin – Senior Vaccination Practitioner
For Joanna, moving to Orkney was all about a fresh start and a new adventure for her family. “We wanted a complete change from London life,” she says. “Both of us had stressful jobs, me as an Emergency Paramedic and my husband as a postman, and the last summer in London hit 40 degrees. It was time for something different.”
They used her husband’s internal job vacancy list with Royal Mail to explore options and soon decided on Orkney. “I’d never visited before, but we sold our house in London and bought one here without much trouble. Now we live in a place with glorious views, spectacular sunrises, and dramatic skies. We’ve seen otters, dolphins, and seals from our bedroom window – quite a contrast from Tottenham and Croydon!”
Joanna quickly settled into her new role and her new community: “My team at work is kind, supportive, and diverse in medical backgrounds, which I find fascinating. Patient contact is always positive, and there’s a real sense of community in the hospital. Outside of work, I’ve become a Girlguiding leader, which has helped me meet new friends.”
Her career has taken an exciting turn too: “I moved from a clinical background into a team management role and start a leadership course next month. Working here means being flexible and adaptable, something island life teaches you quickly. And honestly? The challenges make it rewarding.”
One standout memory? Driving around Orkney during the Covid spring vaccination programme: “The sky was blue, the sea turquoise, spring flowers in the fields, lambs playing – it felt like the best place on earth.”