At Caring Matters Now, we are always inspired to see young people within our community develop their interests and use their experiences to make a difference. Recently, one of our teen members, Charlotte, joined us for a work experience placement, giving her the opportunity to learn more about CMN, healthcare education, and the work that goes on behind the scenes to support families.
Having known Charlotte since she was a baby, it has been particularly special to watch her journey come full circle. We recently met up again at a Regional Gathering, where she shared her ambition to pursue a career in midwifery and told us about an upcoming work experience opportunity. This immediately caught our attention, as our current focus within Year 1 of our 5-Year Strategy Plan is centred on educating midwives about CMN. By improving awareness and understanding among maternity professionals, we hope to ensure earlier support, more appropriate referrals, and faster, more accurate diagnoses for families affected by CMN.
Learning About Compassionate Care
Throughout her placement, Charlotte developed a deeper understanding of the importance of accurate information, compassionate communication, and professional responsibility when supporting families affected by CMN. She learned how trusted information and sensitive, reassuring communication can help reduce anxiety for parents, particularly following the birth of a baby with a visible difference. Charlotte also explored the importance of empathy, confidentiality, and protecting personal information, recognising how these principles help build trust and confidence for families during challenging times.
As part of the placement, Charlotte explored the concept of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and how accredited learning helps healthcare professionals remain informed, up to date, and equipped to deliver the highest standard of care.
Contributing to Our First CPD Course for Midwives
One of the highlights of Charlotte’s placement was her contribution to the development of our first CPD-accredited course for midwives. Charlotte reviewed a wide range of Caring Matters Now resources, including website content, educational materials, and news articles, to identify the key information that should be included within the CPD programme. She helped review the structure and flow of the slide deck, suggested improvements to the ordering of content, and identified areas where further information would strengthen the learning experience.
Her fresh perspective proved invaluable and helped ensure that the course remains informative, relevant, and accessible for healthcare professionals. This CPD course is an important milestone for Caring Matters Now and will form the foundation for future accredited educational resources for Health Visitors, GPs, and Dermatologists. Charlotte’s contribution has already made a lasting impact on this work, and we are incredibly grateful for her support.
Exploring Wider Areas of CMN Awareness
- During her placement, Charlotte also met with one of our long-standing volunteers, a practising midwife, to learn more about the realities of the profession. Together they discussed the current approaches taken when a baby is born with a visible difference, including communication with families, reassurance, referral pathways, and ongoing support.
- She also contributed to discussions around the future development of a Youth Council, sharing ideas about how we can better engage teenagers within our community, recognise their skills and strengths, and create opportunities for them to become involved in awareness and advocacy work.
- In addition, Charlotte took part in sessions exploring wider organisational priorities, including conference volunteering, exhibition stands, and engaging effectively with both families and healthcare professionals. She learned about the importance of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), accessibility, and the impact that language barriers can have on accessing information and support across the UK.
- Charlotte also gained an insight into awareness and engagement plans for Wales and Scotland as part of our wider 5-Year Strategy, helping her understand how long-term planning can improve access to support for all communities affected by CMN.
Looking Ahead
Charlotte’s placement provided a valuable introduction to the impact that education, awareness, and advocacy can have within the CMN community. Her enthusiasm, thoughtful contributions, and willingness to learn have helped support several important projects, particularly our developing CPD programme for midwives.
We have loved having Charlotte as part of the team and are incredibly proud to have watched her grow from a young member of our community into a confident young person with aspirations to support others through a future career in healthcare.
Thank you, Charlotte, for your hard work and contribution. We look forward to following your journey and wish you every success in your future career in midwifery.
Charlotte shared her reflection on the experience:
“Spending the week with a cause that means so much to me has been an unforgettable experience. I’ve learned so much, met inspiring people and come away feeling even more passionate about the work the charity does.“
