University of Salford student Nicolette Peel has been presented with a Royal College of Midwives (RCM) Award, for her voluntary work in maternal and child health.
Nicolette, 43, who studies midwifery at the University’s School of Nursing, Midwifery, Social Work & Social Sciences, was presented with ‘The President’s Volunteer award’ – one of 15 categories presented at the 2016 RCM Annual Midwifery Awards ceremony yesterday. This took place at the Brewery in London.
The President’s Volunteer award recognises an RCM member who has volunteered in a field with relevance for the provision of maternal and child health within the UK or overseas. The winner will have demonstrated how this experience has enriched or altered the maternity care that they provide in the UK.
Nicolette’s work in volunteering comes as part of the charity she co-founded called Mummy’s Star, the only UK-based charity dedicated to offering support to women and their families who are affected by cancer during pregnancy and beyond.
The charity provides comprehensive and easy to understand information about cancer in pregnancy, which alleviates unnecessary stress for families when looking for correct sources of information.
The charity also provides closed Facebook forums’ where women and their families are able to get in contact with people in similar situations to themselves to share stories and tips on how to make it through some of the tough times. It’s always good to know that there is someone out there who has gone through it and been in a similar situation.
Nicolette was shortlisted alongside Anna Kent Alam from the Hope Foundation for Women and Children of Bangladesh, who taught midwifery in Bangladesh, and Phoebe Pallotti and Morag Forbes from Medical Justice, who protected and advocated maternity health of women in immigration detention.
Speaking after she received the award, Nicolette said: “I am so surprised and absolutely delighted to have won this RCM Award. The other shortlisted entrants in the field are doing amazing work and are experienced midwives, so I feel even more honoured to be receiving this as a student midwife!
“I am inspired daily by the tremendous women that we work with at Mummy’s Star. It is thanks to them and the memory of Mair Wallroth that I have come to win this award.”
Lisa Bacon, Director of Midwifery, Counselling and Psychotherapy, added: “Nicolette is a truly amazing and is an inspirational woman who is more than deserving of this award. Her charity offers incredible support to women and their families who are affected by cancer during what should be one of the happiest experiences in their life. We are incredibly proud of her.”
Awards are coming left right and centre for the University of Salford’s School of Nursing, Midwifery, Social Work & Social Sciences, after University of Salford lecturer Kathleen Holt was also presented with a prestigious British Journal of Midwifery Practice Award.
Kath, who lecturers in midwifery and neonatal care at the University’s School of Nursing, Midwifery, Social Work & Social Sciences, received the accolade for her work in promoting neonatal wellbeing.
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