Founder Story

Sherry Diaz-Thompson, the Founder and Training Director of Safe Hearts Limited, has a remarkable story that is inspiring. Her journey is a testament to her resilience and determination in adversity.

At 19, Sherry was diagnosed with Sickle Cell Anaemia, a life-long condition she has bravely battled throughout her adult life. 

Despite this illness’s challenges, Sherry’s natural leadership skills propelled her forward, and she used her adversity as a driving force to create Safe Hearts Limited.

Born and raised on the twin islands of Trinidad and Tobago, Sherry was the eldest of seven children born to a teenage mother. Growing up, she witnessed her family members working hard for themselves, which instilled in her a strong work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit. At the age of 21, Sherry fearlessly launched her first business with great success.

However, just as Sherry’s business flourished, she faced a devastating setback. An armed robbery forced her to close down her business, leaving her devastated and unsure of her future. Despite this setback, Sherry refused to be defeated. She rose above the challenges, dusted herself off, and embarked on a new venture.

Nine years later, Sherry founded Safe Hearts Limited, a company dedicated to providing essential training and education in health and safety, first aid, healthcare and well-being. Through her company, she empowers individuals and organisations to create safe and secure environments for themselves and others.

Sherry’s founder journey is a testament to her perseverance, courage, and determination. She has shown that even in the face of personal adversity, one can rise above and create something meaningful. Her story inspires aspiring entrepreneurs and reminds us all that with passion and resilience, we can overcome any obstacle that comes our way.

Timeline

 1985 – Sherry was born on the twin Island nation of Trinidad and Tobago to a teenage mum and was the eldest of seven children. 

2006 – Aged just 21, Sherry set up her first direct sales company in the Caribbean. Later that year, an armed robbery forced her to close the business, and she took up a role in a US-based Emergency Medical Air Ambulance company in Trinidad and Tobago.

2007 – Sherry received the rising star award for the top newcomer for sales and one to watch by her Dallas head office.

2008 – Sherry was instrumental in launching the company in Grenada; there, she met and married her husband – a move which saw her relocate to London.

2010 – Sherry worked as a Marketing Executive for a Contract Cleaning Company where she successfully won substantial contracts for the business.

2012 – A mum looking for a change in direction, Sherry and her family moved to Staffordshire, where she took up a role within the NHS as a healthcare assistant providing high-dependency nursing care on a colorectal and urology surgical ward.

2015 – Having gained various qualifications and with a passion for healthcare and saving lives, Sherry set up Safe Hearts to provide high-quality training and support for individuals, businesses and the healthcare sector.

2016 – Safe Hearts was in the top ten businesses in the Prince’s Trust and NatWest Tomorrow’s Business Awards.

2019 – Sherry was one of the Keynote Speakers at the British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show at the NEC in Birmingham.

2020  – Sherry was a guest panellist for the Prince’s Trust Black Pound Day Initiative.

2023 – Sherry has laid out a new directive to grow and expand her company embracing new technologies to provide outstanding training services as well as a new Social Enterprise Program to assist her community with training in Healthcare, First aid, Business Skills and Career Advancement helping people aged 16 to 55 get into work or return to work.

A first-aider since secondary school and now a highly qualified emergency first responder, instructor and assessor, Sherry believes that founding Safe Hearts Training was an inevitable career progression.

“So many times I have been hospitalised because of Sickle Cell Disease and, more recently, Lupus; I know how vital healthcare services are and the training healthcare professionals need. 

This experience and my previous work in the National Health Service (NHS) have fuelled my passion to empower others to learn and help organisations comply. 

I’ve witnessed first-hand the devastation underlying illness, workplace-related injuries, and sudden cardiac arrest can cause. 

My mission is to help save lives by providing businesses and individuals with quality training, world-class life-saving products and other educational services to make their work environment, homes and community safe, giving them the vital skills, knowledge and confidence they need to do so.” -Sherry Diaz-Thompson.

For more information on our services and how we can help you, whether you are business or individual – contact us at +44 (0) 1785 532 219 or email info@safeheartstraining.co.uk with your requirements.