The Power of Good Managers and Asking For Help
Written by Tamsin Maries, Research Manager
I don’t mind admitting I had a wobble this week. A pretty big one.
This month marked the four year anniversary of my first Long Covid symptoms. Back in January 2021 we were all in lockdown. I was a few months into a new research job, juggling homeworking, homeschooling and childcare. Zero breaks, high stress. I know you’ll all have your own memories. I started to experience extreme fatigue, breathing and cognitive difficulties. These would go on to become so bad that I couldn’t walk properly, couldn’t stand or sit upright for long, couldn’t do my job, couldn’t look after or even read to my young children (that last one was the hardest).
Four years on and I found myself, again, a few months into a new research job. And then things got hard this week.
No homeschooling this time (thank goodness) but it’s a busy month, I’m still juggling work and parenthood (does that ever get easier?!). I’m grappling with the nearly-newbie frustrations of knowing some things but not others, tasks taking longer than I think they should as I get to grips with them, and wrapping my brain around elements that are familiar but still feel out of reach, thanks to a long enforced career break for Long Covid recovery. And the memories of those really hard times came flooding back.
I wobbled.
My confidence in my research abilities dropped through the floor, fears of a relapse loomed large. There were tears.
And then…talking it through with my husband, I realised I needed to stop the shadows of those tough Covid times taking hold and playing out all over again. I learned my lessons and did something different.
This time, instead of trying to hold it all together and push on through, I spoke up at work about my struggles and asked…for…help. Something that I, like many others, find very hard to do. And as a result, I’m no longer wobbling. My self-belief is back online, I know I can do my job and I know I’m beating this illness. What a relief. And all because I asked for help and got an incredible response from three amazing managers.
All three reached out to me, sensing I was struggling. All three listened, supported me, changed things, encouraged me to change things, gave me options, reminded me of my skills and the context, and built my confidence right back up. They showed that they believe in me, that they want the best for me and that they care about me and my physical and mental health. Wow. What more could you ask for from one manager, let alone three.
“I have been reminded again of the power of talking, of being listened to and really heard, of being appreciated, valued and recognised.”
There’s something very special at M·E·L Research, people really DO come first and I’m so very grateful to be a part of that. And I have been reminded again of the power of talking, of being listened to and really heard, of being appreciated, valued and recognised. It really is the stuff good workplaces are made of and how employee resilience and loyalty are built. Thank you Ruth Gosling, Steve Handley and Elliot Simmonds, your time and support this week has meant more than you know. And I should probably also thank my husband, who did his fair share of emotional support work this week too!
If you’re reading this and struggling with something at the moment, take this as a sign to speak up and ask for help. I can guarantee you’ll feel so much better for it.
Latest News
Industry Insights
Beyond visitor numbers: Rethinking how we measure the value of culture and heritage
November 2026
How do we demonstrate the true value of culture and heritage? And are we measuring everything that matters?
These were two of the questions that stood out during the third day of the Culture and Heritage Capital: Putting Theory into Practice conference.
Cultural organisations have long recognised that their impact extends beyond visitor numbers, ticket sales and tourism revenue. Museums, heritage sites and cultural programmes can support mental health and wellbeing, strengthen community connections, create opportunities for learning and preserve our shared…
Read the full post
M·E·L News
M·E·L Research appointed to evaluate the BFI Film Academy programme
October 2026
M·E·L Research is pleased to be working with the British Film Institute (BFI) on a three-year evaluation of the BFI Film Academy programme. Since 2012, BFI Film Academy has supported young people to develop skills, confidence, knowledge and networks and explore routes into careers across the screen industries. The refreshed 2026–2029 programme builds on this experience, creating connected pathways from early engagement through to specialist training, mentoring, placements and industry-facing progression, with a strong emphasis on…
Read the full post
M·E·L News
M·E·L Research welcomes new talent as our teams continue to grow
October 2026
M·E·L Research is pleased to welcome four new colleagues to our growing team, strengthening our research and evaluation expertise as we continue to expand our services and support clients.
The appointments of Laura Karban, Associate Director; Bethan Jewsbury, Senior Evaluation Managers; and Chloe Parker, Research Manager, alongside Rhoslyn Davies, who joins us on a short-term basis to provide additional senior evaluation support, bring a wealth of experience across social research, evaluation, public policy…
Read the full post
Industry Insights
Women’s health social research: We’ve talked about the problems. Now let’s do something about them.
October 2026
It was an absolute honour to attend the Women’s Health Conference in London this week, bringing together clinicians, policymakers, campaigners and others passionate about improving women’s health.
As a researcher specialising in women’s health social research, I was excited to have the opportunity to learn, be challenged and exchange ideas with people who share that passion. And I wasn’t disappointed.
There has (quite rightly) been a lot of discussion recently about the gender health gap. But some of the evidence shared…
Read the full post
M·E·L News
Collections inside and out: thinking differently about gardens, heritage and the visitor experience
September 2026
Last week, I had the opportunity to speak at Collections Inside & Out, a symposium hosted at National Trust Chirk Castle & Garden, bringing together people working across gardens, horticulture, heritage, collections and interpretation.
I was, perhaps, a slight interloper among so many people with deep horticultural expertise but every presentation was incredibly interesting and I learned a lot – and broadly managed to follow the general flow of what was being said (still not 100% au fait with taxa…
Read the full post
M·E·L News
Elliot Simmonds to present at Collections Inside & Out Symposium
September 2026
We’re pleased to share that our Commercial Director, Elliot Simmonds, will be speaking at the Collections Inside & Out symposium at National Trust Chirk Castle & Garden on 24 September 2026. Bringing together professionals working across heritage collections, gardens and landscapes, the symposium will explore the relationship between indoor and outdoor heritage and the opportunities created by thinking about them as part of a connected visitor experience.
Elliot’s session, “Integrating Indoor…
Read the full post
M·E·L News
M·E·L Research recognised for outstanding contribution to social value and ethical research
August 2026
M·E·L Research has been named the winner of the Award for Outstanding Contribution to Social Value & Ethical Research 2026 at the UK Enterprise Awards.
The award recognises the values that shape both the work we choose to undertake and the way we deliver it. From building trauma-informed practices into our research to improving inclusion and reinvesting in the communities around us, social responsibility is part of how we operate every day.
Read the full post
