MSW Day always provides me with an opportunity to reflect on the year that has passed and all that been achieved by maternity support workers and for maternity support workers (MSWs). This year I have been involved in some wonderful events which have celebrated the successes of RCM members and where MSWs have very much been in the spotlight.

In May, I was delighted to be asked to speak at the joint Welsh Government and RCM Midwifery Leadership Development Group (MLDG) event. The MLDG is a programme which promotes leadership at all levels.

I was asked to speak about my own leadership journey, and while that was a huge honour for me, my biggest highlight of the event was seeing the wonderful work the group had done over the duration of the course in their quality improvement projects. The showcase event was truly inspirational, and it was fantastic to see MSWs within the cohort and having that demonstration of leadership at all levels.

I have also continued to see and be involved in local, regional and national developments for MSWs. With the refresh of the NHS England MSW career, education, and development framework, I have seen an increase in the number of MSW clinical educators and through them some wonderful examples of organisations investing in the MSW role and providing real career progression opportunities.

Indeed, within my own organisation, and as part of my role, there has been a huge amount of work undertaken to develop our MSW workforce and provide career progression. The biggest achievement of which this year is recruiting our first cohort of registered midwifery degree apprentices. We were overwhelmed by the level of interest from our MSWs for this amazing career development opportunity.

In addition to apprenticeships, specialist MSW roles have also continued to grow. MSWs are taking up roles in maternity education, health promotion roles and other such specialty roles including in maternity bereavement teams and perinatal mental health.

I have also witnessed the growth of the RCM’s MSW Journal Club, from its email subscription format to its new live programme. Created by Rob Moore and supported by MIDIRS, live sessions are hosted bi-monthly with additional resources available to all attendees. Regional and national MSW network meetings have also increased, including the Maternity Support Worker Community of Practice. All of these help to give value and recognition to the unique role of MSWs and maternity care assistants everywhere.

Valuing MSWs and their careers also extends to regional and national awards, including most recently the RCM’s own awards. Kerry Horley from University Hospitals Dorset NHS foundation Trust won the maternity support worker of the year award. [include link to press release]

I look forward to seeing what 2025 brings for MSWs, and with board elections on the horizon again for next year, I hope to see MSWs from around the UK putting themselves forward with a view to joining my fellow MSW board member Cherylene Dougan as the new RCM strategy begins.

I want to wish all MSWs everywhere a wonderful MSW Day. I look forward to seeing all the wonderful events taking place and will be keenly observing them on social media, and I can’t wait to see what amazing things happen for MSWs in 2025.