NCT Leader Praises University’s “Inspiring” Training and Facilities

A leading figure from the national charity that supports people as they become parents has praised the University of Worcester’s vision in building the health and education workforce of the future.

Angela McConville, Chief Executive of NCT (National Childbirth Trust), who visited with Cathy Finlay, Head of Education at NCT, said she had found their visit to the University of Worcester “inspiring”.

The visit included a chance to see the University’s health simulation facilities and the newly opened Elizabeth Garrett Anderson building for health and medical education, which is home to the University’s Three Counties Medical School. The tour was given by University Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive, Professor David Green.

Ms McConville, who was visiting the University for the first time, said: “I found this visit really inspiring. I really enjoyed seeing the clinical skills rooms, and I could see how impressive that would be for our NCT Doula students.

“At NCT we believe that parents help build the foundations of the future, and David [Green, Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University] and his team share that same conviction; that health and support in early years builds strong societal foundations.”

NCT is a national charity that supports parents through pregnancy, birth, infant feeding, and into early parenthood, providing courses and classes, as well as many free to access services. It has had a partnership with the University since 2012, running the only university-accredited qualification in parenting education.

The NCT Perinatal Education and Practice CertHE qualifies students to work professionally with new and expectant parents as an NCT Practitioner to provide services for parents such as the charity’s antenatal and postnatal courses. NCT, in partnership with the University, provides the teaching, learning and professional development opportunities in perinatal and parenting education. The visit was to discuss the University and NCT’s joint work in the field of perinatal education and Ms McConville expressed her hope that the partnership between NCT and the University would continue long into future.

Ms McConville added: “I think the facilities are really impressive. I think David and his team have a real vision for the role that the University can play in terms of building the future health and education workforce for the country, which we’re really passionate about too. We believe that our community of practitioners are part of the capacity that’s in communities to support pregnant women and parents at a truly transformative time in their lives. David’s vision and our vision at NCT are very aligned.”

She also praised the University’s culture of inclusion in the education given to practitioners. “Worcester has always had a really strong place in championing equity and inclusion, it has won awards for inclusive teaching and learning and we’re proud to work alongside an educational institution that shares these values with us,” she said.

Cathy Finlay added of the University’s facilities: “The ability for students to use rooms which accurately reflect the environment they will be working in brings a vibrancy and connection to their course. Having access to the clinical skills rooms really brings our doula course to life in a way that would be hard to replicate elsewhere.”