New student society in running for UK Award
Left right: Jonathan Cliffe, Rosie Florence, Hannah Heffernan, Lesley Page, Royal College of Midwives President; Daisy Fenner, Sioned Jones & Samantha DaviesA student Society at Bangor University, which has only been in existence for five months, is in the running to receive a prestigious national Award.
Student Midwives Samantha Davies, Jonathan Cliffe, Daisy Fenner, Sioned Jones, Hannah Heffernan and Rosie Florence, and the Student Midwife Society Committee Members at Bangor University, have together made it to the shortlist of the Student Midwife of the Year Award, run by the British Journal of Midwifery Practice Awards 2015. The winner of the award will be announced on 23rd March at the British Journal of Midwifery Awards ceremony in London.
The society committee made the decision to nominate the Society for the Award even though it was only founded in September 2014. The society has quickly grown in strength and has achieved a great deal in a short period of time. During the past 5 months, the Society has hosted its launch event, its first student led conference and held evening workshops for students. Future events include, fundraising activities, further evening workshops and conferences.
As Jonathan Cliffe, Chair of the Society explains:
“Midwifery can be an intense and challenging course to be studying. Our aim in forming the Society was to create an opportunity for students to share thoughts and ideas with each other. This will hopefully be a great benefit to students throughout their time studying at Bangor University. The overall aim of the society is to create relationships between all students to share experiences, providing a forum for mutual support, with a shared philosophy.”
The society runs alongside the Midwifery program to enhance the learning and educational experience of all students, enhancing and enriching their education through extra-curricular activities. A key aim of the society is to host study days and events that benefit those studying and practicing Midwifery at Bangor University and local health board hospitals.
Hannah Heffernan, Society Treasure’s said:
“To be shortlisted for such a prestigious award for a society that has only been active for 5 months is a great achievement and is a demonstration of the hard work, enthusiasm and dedication all members of the society have to make the society a great success.”
Professor Jo Rycroft-Malone, Head of the School of Healthcare Sciences congratulated the students saying:
“The student involved in the Society have worked hard and have played a vital role in establishing the Society’s presence within the university, the students union and with the local health board. This can only benefit current and future students. The student midwives within the Society are proactive, dedicated and enthusiastic and are to be congratulated on making the Award shortlist. I wish them every success at the Awards event.”
Mark Stanley Students’ Union Vice President, Societies and Community commented:
"The success of Bangor Student Midwife Society can be attributed to the passion of students to make change. It was that passion that drove students to organise their own conference which was attended by students and healthcare professionals, impacting their experience for the better. I'm incredibly proud to say I've worked with this group and I'm sure the next year will be another successful one for Bangor University students."
Publication date: 18 March 2015