Having moved to Bedfordshire from London five years ago, Chelsea joined the University’s Midwifery course in 2019 and was put on placement at Bedford Hospital as part of her studies. She also helps to train hypnobirthing instructors for the Little Birth Company and runs independent workshops for fellow student midwives and birth workers.

Throughout her course, Chelsea has been a champion of promoting anti-racism in maternity care, publishing an article in The Practice Midwife Journal, speaking at a global conference for International Day of the Midwife and running a podcast and blog called ‘Blk Mum to Midwife’.

Upon learning of her successful nominations, Chelsea said: “I’m extremely proud and very humbled to have been shortlisted. I have had some lovely messages from the midwifery teaching staff from the University who have always been very encouraging of my extra-curricular projects.

“I hope that by shining a light on the work that I’m doing, this will encourage other students to find their voice and speak up about the issues that matter to them. Not only that but I hope this also gets people talking about the ways in which we can work towards improving maternal health disparities for Black, Asian and ethnic minority women and birthing people in the UK.”

Once she’s completed her degree, Chelsea looks forward to becoming a full-time midwife and hopes to one day become an infant feeding specialist.