Nurses from as far away as Uganda and the Philippines have been chosen as pioneers in a new project that aims to raise awareness of the experiences and opportunities nurses from overseas face when they arrive to work in Britain.
As part of the Mary Seacole and Me Storytellers programme, the 13 nurses will take part in a pilot study that will see them travelling the country to deliver talks on Mary Seacole’s work, their own journeys and the contribution of modern-day Marys to UK healthcare.
MST Chair Trevor Sterling said: “Mary Seacole was an international nurse who overcame incredible challenges to help those in need and we wanted to hear and learn from nurses and midwives who followed in her footsteps. The stories told by these modern-day Marys are humbling and inspiring. Their dedication to patient care shines through, despite the challenges they have faced – from the logistical problems of changing countries to racism and discrimination within the health service structure. However, what we also find is that hard work and determination have led to huge achievements, both personal and for the care of patients.”
Jeni Caguioa, Senior Clinical Manager, Midlands for NHS England said: “The Mary Seacole & Me Storytellers programme enables our International nurses and midwives to be seen in a new light. They are not “just a pair of hands” but they are resilient and courageous individuals who have faced head on the challenges that come with working in a new country, like what Mary Seacole did during the Crimean War. The impact on our participants have been profound both personally and professionally.”
Speaking at the launch and celebration of the first cohort in London on 9 October, keynote speaker Dr Beverly Joshua, nurse and Head of Health Sciences at the University of Greenwich, told the ‘modern day Marys’ “you have not only survived the transition to a new country, you have thrived.” But she added that there needs to be more support for internationally trained nurses.
Our storytellers’ profile videos are available to view HERE.
Organisations wishing to book a talk from one of our storytellers should contact the Mary Seacole Trust either via the website or at storytellers@maryseacoletrust.org.uk.
