Working for 12 years on the maternity unit at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust was where I found my passion for midwifery. I started out as a nursery assistant, helping to care for the children on the unit, and then moved to a healthcare assistant role in the maternity unit where I supported the midwives and helped in theatres during Caesarean sections and other assisted deliveries. I also completed my NVQ level 2 and 3 in care.
I was keen to develop my midwifery skills and knowledge so I did an access (to university) course part time, which included getting my English and maths GCSEs. The course gave me enough UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) points to do a midwifery degree at the University of Bradford. I qualified and registered as a midwife in 2013.