The Worshipful Company of Nurses visits Manchester!

A few months ago, and completely out of the blue, an email arrived saying we had been nominated for an award in The Caribbean & African Health Network (CAHN) Black History Month Recognition Event. CAHN was set up in 2017 with the mission to end health inequalities and wider disparities for Caribbean and African people and their awards specifically honour those from Black Caribbean and African heritage to recognise their contribution in healthcare.  The Black History Month recognition event highlights individuals, teams and organisations whose work has created meaningful change that address these long-standing inequalities.

Must be a mistake we thought, but after a bit of research, discovered a member of the Company had nominated us in the category of ‘Organisational Equity Initiative of the Year’ for the Company’s Coat of Arms. Our new Heraldic Arms feature Annie Catherine Brewster (1858-1902) born in St Vincent and one of the first African-Caribbeans to pursue a career in nursing in London.

The awards ceremony was to be held at the Deansgate hotel in Manchester on Saturday 24 October, so the Master and Renter Warden Claire Chitty made plans to go. Little did we know that this weekend would coincide with named storms Austen and Boelo causing massive travel disruption. After several delayed and cancelled trains, the Master just made it in time for the 6.30pm reception start.  By chance Claire was already booked to be in Manchester that weekend, even staying in the same hotel, a good luck message perhaps?

Used to the formality of Livery dinners, we were somewhat surprised to be the first to arrive and we finally sat down to a delicious dinner over an hour later than planned. Throughout the evening, we were entertained by the hosts, including a game of sing the next line, a comedian, fashion show, cultural performances, musicians and a DJ. The evening was certainly colourful.

We didn’t win, but were up against some truly inspirational nurses, allied health professionals and projects and were honoured to be able to tell others about the Worshipful Company of Nurses and our Coat of Arms.

Find out more about CAHN here: Homepage new - CAHN