Mandeep Lally is a Senior Lecturer in Adult Nursing at De Montfort University in Leicester. She is also an FNF scholar alumni and an Alumni Champion. Here, Mandeep shares the story of her leadership journey so far, which was first shared by De Montfort University, to highlight South Asian Heritage month in August.
I was born in the UK after living her for some time in my childhood my family decided to move to Canada and I spend part of my childhood growing up there. When I was 13 years old, a shy introverted little me was given the news from my parents that they had decided to send me with my sister, to India for further studies at boarding school. I was so excited, living away from home, no parents, no one telling me what to do, a kids dream right? Well that soon faded to the harsh reality I was entering. I now stood there, at the bottom of the school steps looking up into what looked like a huge castle, engulfed by lots of bars- why did they needs bars? My dad then ushering me to hurry up those steps. I never felt more scared. I reluctantly, took the first steps not knowing that this was the beginning of my journey to become who I am today. I walked up those steps entering the school where I would be for the next 3 years. Although I felt out of place, I couldn’t really speak Punjabi or Hindi properly, (which was a reason my dad thought it be a good idea to go to boarding school in the first place) and had an immense amount or readjustment to do, I learned so much, about my history, my roots, the different cultures and religions, and many traditions. I have never seen so many colourful experiences and celebrations like Holi, Hola Mahalla, Vaisakhi, Eid, Diwali that were celebrated the way I have in India. It soon became a home away from home for me, and that I cherish to this day.
(Mandeep is photographed here on the right, graduating as an FNF Scholar)
After the completion of the 3 years in Dalhousie, and completing my 10th class education (equivalent to GCSEs), I was not ready to return to Canada I wanted to continue my high school education so I enrolled to another boarding school in Chandigarh and completed a further 2 years education, Â before moving to the UK, as my family moved back there. I was given so many opportunities these two years, I flourished and grew as a person and in confidence, stepping into leadership and as a role model. I was a school House Captain for 2 years, and led the girls volley ball team, becoming captain of the team. I represented 2 states in India, in sports under the 18 girls category, for javelin and I made it to the semi-finals competition.
Settling back in the UK after these 5 years abroad was challenging. Having to re-adjust to UK life and education at university was difficult at first. I felt misplaced and like a part of me was missing. However, I never forgot what I learned in India, the culture and traditions which helped me in adjusting in the UK. I embraced the UK life and cultures, the craze of fish and chips! Â Most of all my growth to this point is what had led me to my current career, and the opportunities along the way.
I studied Law at university but I realised this was not the career for me. I had been a healthcare assistant working in nursing homes and hospital since my return to UK and finally decided to undertaking a nursing qualification, and I graduated as a nurse in adult field nursing. I was fortunate enough to have experience and opportunities at my reach, to be able to progress into leadership roles in my career. I worked with many healthcare professionals and with the Chief Nurse in the hospital at the time as part of the CNO BAME Delivery Group, a group of influential healthcare professionals working in the NHS to work towards meeting priority goals. I also had become a Florence Nightingale Foundation Scholar after completion of a travel scholarship. This led to quality improvement initiatives and service improvements within the hospital I worked at, involving communication and importance of delivery of nursing bedside handovers, which led to publications on BMJ blog in 2023, RCNi NS Student in 2025 and I am currently working towards publishing with another journal. I am an FNF Alumni Champion, and sharing my story and FNF opportunities with nurses and midwives is important.
“I am an FNF Alumni Champion, and sharing my story and FNF opportunities with nurses and midwives is important.”
I was fortunate to be part of the UK’s campaign through Covid-19 pandemic called the #NurseBehindtheMask Campaign with the Florence Nightingale Foundation which is to celebrate the depth of the multicultural nationalities working in the NHS and healthcare. I was also asked to feature in the NHS commemorative e-book of International Year of Nurse and Midwife 2020, sharing part of my experiences. I was also one of 8 FNF Scholars to be asked to walk in the procession behind the lamp for the annual Florence Nightingale Commemoration Service held at Westminster Abbey in 2022, where it was also the first year the Covid-19 Roll of Honour was introduced. Being a part of this occasion was an honour and highlight of my career. I worked in the Community with an organisation called British Sikh Nurses, becoming a Director of this organisation, we campaigned for the Restart a Heart Campaign, raising awareness in the South Asian communities and working towards bridging the gap between the community and NHS. It focused on sharing the importance of healthy lifestyles and links to cardiac related illness and teaching bystander CPR in English, Hindi and Punjabi languages in the Temple’s across UK. My love for India and my experiences helped me to connect with so many people of all ages which had a big impact when campaigning.
I was lucky to be nominated and finalist for The British Sikh Award in 2022. In addition, the British Sikh Nurses organisation was also finalist nominated in the RCN Awards and the Nursing Times awards 2023. I was awarded with Sigma Phi Mu Chapter Clinical Practice Leadership Award in 2023, and Published on BMJ blog in 2023 and currently publishing with RCN. The British Deputy High Commissioner, India included my story as one of 75 women in a book celebrating Living Bridge between UK and India, and which I am so proud to be a part of. In 2024, His Majesty’s Government, Minster for Indo Pacific, invited me to London for a Diwali and Bandi Chhor Diwas Reception at Lancaster House where I met many influential people from all walks of life who like myself, had shared experiences bringing together people from different parts of India and UK to celebrate the occasion.
I am so proud to be working at DMU and be part of such a rich multicultural community, inclusive of  both staff and students, where I can share these experiences and motivate those around me. I am currently a Senior Lecturer in Adult nursing at DMU. I teach across research and evidence-based nursing modules, professionalism and accountability as well as nursing skills across both undergraduate and post graduate healthcare programmes. I am also a Fellow of HE Academy and a Florence Nightingale Foundation Alumni Champion. I gained much of my leadership experience in practice working across acute medical wards and within the Patient Safety team and through community work. I am passionate about sharing my skills, knowledge and experiences in my current role, hoping to be a role model and inspire others. My interest includes quality improvement in healthcare and impact on patient safety and public health.
