Two UNISON members have scooped Mary Seacole Development awards for
their contribution to black and ethnic minority communities (BME).
UNISON members Karen Murray, 46, who works at Lincoln County Hospital,
and Valerie Freestone, who works at Milton Keynes PCT, were presented with
the Development awards by Anne Milton MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of
State for Public Health, during the ceremony at the unions headquarters.
Valerie, from Bedford, set up a project to create awareness of dementia in the
local BME communities. Part of this involves targeted posters, to appeal to
community groups in the area, where more than 100 languages are spoken.
Karen, from Grantham, who has a background in general nursing, mental
health and has worked with prisoners with addictions, has set up a project to
create awareness of Hepatitis C, with a focus on EU immigration in the local
area.
Valerie Freestone said:
“I am overwhelmed and flattered to have won a Mary Seacole award.
“I have always been passionate about creating awareness of dementia. It is
the reason why I went into nursing 12 years ago, as I worked as a care
assistant with elderly people before that and realised it was a huge issue.
“Bedford is very multi-cultural and I used to speak to a lot of people from
different communities about dementia. However, In Milton Keynes the groups
are more spread out and are not accessing the services.
“I hope my project encourages people of all backgrounds to use the services. I
think there is a real need for projects like this to be rolled out nationally, to
create better awareness of dementia in the long-term.”
Karen Murray said:
“I am overwhelmed and flattered to have won the Mary Seacole award. Over
the past few years we have had an influx of people moving here from other
countries, especially Eastern Europe, where there may have been a lack of
awareness of Hepatitis C.
“Hepatitis C is a silent killer and you may not develop liver disease for 20
years, so it is vital we find ways to get the message across. It is an under-
studied area, so I am hoping to encourage other work nationally.
“I have set up focus groups and field work with frontline workers to find out
how big the problem is, so we can develop work. By winning the award I have
more doors open to me – I am able to dispel the myths around Hepatitis C
and encourage equal access for all.”
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