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Celebrating International Women’s Day 2026 at Sheffield Children’s
When Sheffield Children’s was founded 150 years ago, one of the promises our founders made was ‘to afford opportunities for the training of women in the special duties of children’s nursing’.
We’re proud of our roots, and the women who have been part of creating Sheffield Children’s as it is today. We take the legacy we’ve built seriously, because it’s been shaped by and for the people of Sheffield, South Yorkshire and beyond.
Today, we’re sharing some advice from women across our organisation for young people who may be considering their line of work – whether it is emergency care, sleep, mental health, play, nursing, and much more – there is advice for everyone.
International Women’s Day 2026 focuses on give to gain – emphasising the power of reciprocity and support. When people, organisations, and communities give generously, opportunities and support for women increase. Sheffield Children’s is dedicated to be a brilliant place to work, today we have over 4,000 colleagues coming together to create safe, healthy and inclusive workplaces where everyone can thrive.
Thank you to all of the inspiring women who contributed valuable pieces of advice – we are grateful, inspired and committed to carrying your legacies forward.
Words of wisdom
Dr Rachel Calvert, Principal Clinical Psychologist
“Be deeply honest with yourself about why you’re drawn to this work; seek meaningful, relevant experiences; take your studies seriously (especially research methods and statistics), and develop skills in how to continually meet adversity and emotional pain with empathy, compassion and curiosity—clinical psychology is as much heart as it is science.”
Jessy Choi, Consultant Ophthalmologist
“Believe in yourself and don’t be afraid to take a step forward, no matter how big or small. Everyone in my team was once exactly where you are now. With commitment and hard work, everything is possible. Most importantly, be happy and true to yourself.”
Prof Marta Cohen OBE, Consultant Paediatric Pathologist
“To shine and enjoy the field of paediatric and perinatal pathology you must believe in you. Be confident but always have an “open mind”. Do your best to attend conferences in your field and take the opportunity to network. Master collaboration in multidisciplinary research on paediatric and perinatal pathology. Always remember that patients and their families should be at the core of your clinical and research activities.”
Melanie English, Play Specialist
“You’ll need patience, good skills communication for different ages, empathy, creativity and above all a love of children.”
Sarah Flude, Research and Development Manager
“In research you work with lots of brilliant minds and people who are eminent in their field which is amazing but can be intimidating! My advice is to bear in mind that nobody is an expert at everything – you have a place at the table because your expertise is valuable too and you know things and have valuable contributions that others can learn from.”
Josie Hamilton, Therapy Assistant Practitioner
“Gain lots of experience working with children and young people – start with babysitting / looking after children for a few hours a week. If working with and caring for children is something you enjoy doing, you could look into gaining a childcare qualification, to gain theory/ knowledge and lots of practical work.”
Dr Cath Harrison, Embrace Transport Consultant and Clinical Lead
“Believe in yourself and take every opportunity offered as you never know where they can lead to…”
Dr Elizabeth Herrieven, Consultant in Emergency Medicine
“I would suggest doing things that help you find out about the lives of other people. Volunteering at charities that support people with a learning disability, or children’s charities, or even volunteering in hospitals. St John’s Ambulance is a great way to volunteer and learn some first aid, too (I was a St John’s Cadet as a teenager!).”
Ruth Kingshott, Paediatric Sleep Physiologist
“Respect your own Sleep Health first so that you have the resilience to work night shifts to measure other people’s sleep.”
Jenny Longden, Deputy Chief Nurse
“Think big, embrace opportunities and believe in the power of you!”
Helen McQuillan, Radiology Manager
“As a radiographer, my career has taken me far beyond the imaging room and across the world. I’ve had the privilege of learning from different cultures, helping diverse communities, and sharing plenty of laughter along the way. The role has empowered me as a woman, building resilience, confidence, and a drive to always strive for the best for humanity (with a little help from coffee!).”
Nomagugu Ndhlovu, CAMHS Inpatient Quality Matron
“Be prepared to learn, be resilient, and look after yourself as much as you look after others.”
Liz Nicholls, Burns Lead Nurse
First and foremost you have to really want to do it, it can be as difficult and heartbreaking as it is rewarding and joyful. Take time to volunteer in hospitals and with children, keep your eyes and ears open and ask if you could do this every day? Be inquisitive and love learning. Remember we all make mistakes, the only thing you can do is be honest and open, accept your mistake and most importantly learn from it, so it doesn’t happen again.
Julie Parker, Lead Nurse in Emergency Department
“Nursing isn’t just a job, but a part of the person you are. I’m not saying its been easy over the past 40 years of nursing or that I haven’t had some of the worst days, but I can honestly say its worth it.”
Daisie Patefield, Deputy Service Manager – Inpatient CAMHS
“The NHS values difference – there isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ manager. My advice would be to have confidence in yourself and the skills you bring. Be clear on your values and why you want to do this work, and always treat others with compassion.”
Dr Helen Stewart, Consultant in Paediatric Emergency Medicine
“Be prepared for something that’s both challenging and deeply rewarding. Focus on connecting with people from all walks of life, and look for opportunities to make a small positive difference wherever you can.”
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