Amy Receives Bedfordshire Freemasons’ Nursing Award

Amy Truett is the 2022 recipient of the Martin Foss Award. The annual award named after the late Martin Fodd, Past Provincial Grand Master for Bedfordshire and a former surgeon, is given to a final year student in Nursing and Midwifery who has made the greatest contribution to the life of the Faculty of Health and Social Science.

Amy collected her certificate, and a cheque for £500, at Bedfordshire Freemason's centre at the Keep in Kempston.

Amy said: "I'm a 37-year-old mum to 4 children with a husband of 21 years. I knew from having a young family that I wanted to spend the rest of my life taking care of and looking after others.

I started my career as a part-time carer, later moving to full times roles at Hinchingbrooke and Biggleswade hospitals, with breaks to look after the children. The passion inside me to look after others just kept growing, and after the sudden loss of my father-in-law, who I cared for on a daily basis, I said to my husband that I really wanted to become a nurse.

Despite the financial problems it might cause, we agreed I would go to college and study for a year and see how we got on with childcare and home commitments. It worked well but it was a struggle! After gaining a diploma in access to healthcare with distinctions I was offered a place at the University of Bedfordshire to study adult nursing.

Through the three years of my degree, I coped with completing assignments, numerous placements, whilst holding down a job in palliative care at St.Johns Moggerhanger, plus palliative care hub at the weekends and also raising a family. I struggled with lots of issues at home, with my children's health, my own health, and just life in general. We also managed to move house somehow.

Despite all of this I was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Adult Nursing with First Class Honours. I cried a lot!"

Amy now works at Penrose Court Care Home in Biggleswade as a Registered General Nurse. Amy is satisfied every day looking after others, empathising with and empowering residents and other staff members. Amy's children and husband along with a few friends saw her potential, supported her through every up and down to which she thanks them greatly.

Amy will be spending the prize money on her family and taking them to their favourite place in Cornwall.