Krysalis Christmas 2022: Britain’s Got Neuro Talent! – Finance and property expert, Tim Richens…
Having taken on national roles during his 30-plus years working in the insurance sector, Tim Richens’ entrepreneurial spirit spurred him into setting up his own property business.
And we are delighted now to welcome him as the third skills star in our 2022 Britain’s Got Neuro Talent (BGNT) campaign supporting neurodiversity in the UK’s workplaces.
Tim had been running his business for ten years when he sustained a brain injury that would radically re-route his work aspirations, as he reveals now in our BGNT Q&A…
There was a point when I thought, ‘Help! What do I need?’ So, I wrote down my needs, and one is to feel some worth in myself again, and that really does revolve around a job. 
Tim Richens, Regain the Brain
What type of work did you do before your injury?
I worked in insurance for some of the big corporates and then moved to property sales before starting my own property and relocation business.
What is your injury?
An acquired brain injury which happened when I fell out of a taxi in 2013. Fatigue and anxiety are my biggest issues now. And I’ve lost my sense of smell.
Was work discussed as part of your early rehabilitation journey?
The idea of getting back to work has always been my main driver. It wasn't really discussed other than, ‘I know best, and why do I need to worry about work? I've got a business.’
So, I went back to work and thought I could carry on, but I couldn't.
As a result, I went to vocational rehabilitation as part of my support, and it was great. But I felt very awkward because I'm suddenly demanding that I couldn't work 9-to-5 anymore because of fatigue and anxiety.
What work do you do now?
I’m trying to build up a business as a brain injury guest speaker/presenter to support other people whose lives change as mine has. I'm also doing some school exam invigilating.
In my spare time, I coach and manage the England Women Over 60 Walking Football team [1].
What is good about working?
It gives me a purpose in life. I now don't feel useless or superfluous. It's given me a little bit of structure. That's what I like about it.
Why does the work you do matter?
If one good thing has come out of this situation, it's that I can now pass on the feeling that there is hope for anybody, no matter how bad things get.
And it is something I want to do. I can pick and choose my hours. I can present in the mornings, and I can rest now then, but I feel like I've got up for a reason.
Also, I'd like to think it gives something back, so that makes me feel good about myself.
What does your work mean to you?
When I think about my lowest moments, they weren't actually in the accident. They were after it when I was going through my depression stage, when I was like, ‘I’ve had enough.’
Of course, there are other reasons to live, like my family and grandkids. However, it would be hollow without me feeling I'm doing something useful myself. I don't want to be looked after.
Disclosure: finding the courage
Talking to others about our needs can be hard. Do you have any suggestions that might help?
There was a point when I thought, ‘Help! What do I need?’ So, I wrote down my needs, and one is to feel some worth in myself again, and that really does revolve around a job.
I think how hard it is to talk about your needs depends on your upbringing and your background.
It can also be very difficult to understand why people are like they are and to talk about emotions.
In terms of things that might help, it’s that understanding. Know why someone thinks differently. Don't try to second guess.
And stop worrying about everything else for a minute and concentrate on what's around you.
You can't control everything, but you can influence things. And what you can control, get control of it.
Shared understanding: building knowledge
Neurological conditions are hard to understand. What would you like the workplace to know about your own experiences? What has helped and what has not?
- Never assume.
- Don't just go on what I would term ‘society normals’ because we all do things others might think are strange.
- Every case is truly individual.
- Everybody has a back story.
- There's usually a reason behind why people do what they do.
Working together: collaboration
There has been a shift towards workplace inclusion for people living with additional needs. What are your thoughts on this? Is enough happening? Could we do more – if so, what?
It's great there is a shift, and there's inclusion, but it's very based around physical disability at the minute rather than mental health!
Although it has to be said there is much greater awareness of mental health in the world than there has been at any point in my lifetime.
But my experience is that the workplace is still very focused on physical disabilities and not so much on the unseen - and that’s a real problem.
Hope: being open to the possibilities
What would you say to others living with a neurological condition who are struggling at work or who would like to work?
Talk to me.
However, I can never give you all the answers, only the questions to ask yourself.
Don’t suffer in silence.
The one thing we're never encouraged to do is talk and share negative thoughts and down moments because society will judge us.
But that’s just some people, some of the time.
I would quite willingly listen to anybody who's gone through what I have.
What would be your key message to the workplace and employers around supporting people with neurological conditions?
- I get it!
- There is always light at the end of the tunnel, even if the tunnel is a long one.
- See things from both perspectives. Don't agree necessarily but understand if someone sees it differently.
- Get people talking.
- Mental health is nothing to be scared of, but it needs to be understood.
- Sometimes, a little knowledge is dangerous. Just because you've been on a training course doesn't mean you know everything.
- Remember: however well-intentioned your actions are, please think about how they are going to be received
Read more about Tim’s inspiring neurorehabilitation journey and brain injury guest speaker service via his website: Regain the Brain
Britain’s Got Neuro Talent!
Meet the neuro stars!
More BGNT showstoppers…
Discover more about ‘highly desirable’ neuro talent along with some of the latest facts and figures around disability employment and workplace accessibility issues in our BGNT launch report: Britain’s Got Neuro Talent! (krysalisconsultancy.co.uk)
And join us back here soon when we welcome another of the leading lights in our 2022 Britain’s Got Neuro Talent line-up...
- David Wozny - Brain Injury - I Needed To Be Needed
- John McDonald - Eagles Wings Consultancy
- Anne Ricketts - Who we are - Global Brain Injury Awareness
- Tim Richens - Tim Richens | Regain the brain
You can follow all our 12-day Krysalis Christmas 2022 BGNT postings here or via our social media channels right up to Christmas Day! References
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