Meet the team: Sheilagh Armstrong, Advanced Nurse Practitioner

May 13th, 2025
Posted in News

I’ve been working at The Wellspring for 10 years now, providing open-access healthcare three days a week. Anyone who wants to be seen can simply walk in – no appointment needed. People come to me for all sorts of reasons, from minor illnesses and injuries to more complex issues like mental health struggles, substance use, or experiences of domestic violence.

Many of the people I see are also trying to manage long-term conditions like diabetes, COPD or heart disease, all while facing homelessness or housing insecurity. These are challenges most people can’t imagine dealing with outside of the mainstream healthcare system. My job is to treat where I can, advocate where needed, and work alongside other services to support people with issues that often can’t be solved with a quick fix.

I’m employed by Mastercall Healthcare and first came to The Wellspring over a decade ago as part of a pilot project. At the time, the aim was to reduce A&E visits and improve GP access for people facing multiple disadvantages. It quickly became clear that this work was about so much more – about meeting a wide range of unmet needs and building trust-based relationships with both the people who use the service and the partners we work with. Thankfully, Mastercall has always backed me fully as the role has grown.

What I love most about my job is the people, both the professionals I work alongside and the service users themselves. It’s an incredible feeling to be trusted by people who, often for very good reasons, find it hard to trust anyone. Being part of someone’s journey, helping them achieve something they thought was beyond their reach, is a true privilege. This is my 46th year in the nursing profession, and while I’ve always loved my work, this role feels truly special.

If you’re struggling, please just walk through the door. You’ll feel the warmth and positivity straight away. No one here will judge you. We’ll give you all the time you need to open up and feel safe.

And if you’re thinking about supporting The Wellspring, I can honestly say it’s a service run by the community for the community. Our volunteers far outnumber the staff, and it’s because of them – and the people who give financially or donate – that we’re able to keep changing and saving lives.

And a little fun fact about me is that I love being out in the fresh air and spending time on my allotment. I’m a big fan of live music… and I’m also getting pretty handy with a cordless circular saw – last year’s birthday present. No lost fingers yet!