A graduating student from Telford who has been helping pre-diabetes patients manage their diet is hoping to take that experience into her work on the other side of the world.
Cally Smitherman-Millward
Cally Smitherman-Millward will graduate from the University of Worcester with a Master’s in Nutritional Therapy, during ceremonies at Worcester Cathedral on Tuesday, March 4.
She has already put her knowledge to good use to benefit people. Working for Thrive Tribe, she has delivered a Healthier You pre-diabetic intervention programme in partnership with the NHS delivering this to NHS patients across Cornwall over the past year. Now she plans to move to New Zealand for a year or two and hopes to continue to use her skills there.
“This experience [with the pre-diabetic intervention programme] has been incredibly rewarding, and I hope to find similar roles within healthcare sectors in New Zealand,” said the 28-year-old. “I’m also excited to explore new career opportunities, especially now that I can combine this experience with my one-on-one clinical practice.”
Cally originally studied Dance Performance at another university, where she developed an interest in sports science and nutrition, which put her on the path to Worcester. “Seeing firsthand how nutrition impacted my body and performance, I became passionate about understanding the power of food in shaping our health and well-being,” she said.
“The warm, friendly, and inviting academics made Worcester stand out. I was also drawn to the opportunity to complete a biochemistry access course, which allowed me to enter the MSc programme despite coming from a Performing Arts undergraduate degree. This flexibility and support were key factors in my decision.”
For Cally, the Clinic Module was a highlight. She said: “It was working one-on-one with clients for the first time and applying everything I had learned. I was incredibly proud of the level of expertise I was able to provide, and it gave me confidence in handling a variety of case profiles, including recovering cancer patients, high-performance athletes, and individuals with autoimmune conditions. The course truly provides exceptional professional training for real-world careers.”
“One of my proudest moments was helping a client with alopecia, who had struggled with the condition for years, regrow their eyelashes - a small change for some, but a huge achievement for the individual. Another major achievement was finishing my dissertation and being awarded a First!”
During the last year of her degree, she relocated to Canada and worked delivering nutrition workshops at two spas/fitness studios in Alberta, alongside providing one-to-one consultations. Cally studied part-time which she said had allowed her to balance work, personal life and studies. “I’m incredibly grateful for that flexibility,” she said. “The academics were kind, passionate, and incredibly knowledgeable, truly dedicated to helping every student succeed. Their support had a huge impact on my journey.
“As someone who struggles with dyslexia, I learned to work with it rather than against it. The support at Worcester—academic library staff, academic writing mentors, and various tools—made a huge difference. I’ve always been a creative student, but STEM subjects weren’t my strength. This experience proved that with passion, the right support, and a willingness to seek help, you can excel in any field.”
Long-term, Cally would like to create a multidisciplinary practice space where nutritionists, physiotherapists, psychotherapists, personal trainers, and meditation or yoga teachers work together under one roof to provide personalised, case-by-case support.