Black History Month — Jesca Gudza’s story

Following the George Floyd case, Black Lives Matter campaign and the pandemic, I decided that I would join Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) groups within my organisation, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust. This was a way for me to know what was going on and how I could make a difference in my trust.

I become involved in BAFO (Building A Fairer Oxleas) meetings and had the opportunity to talk about inequalities that exist for BAME staff and how it is so difficult to get into leadership positions. These meetings were taken seriously by our leadership team who have since enabled the trust to make significant changes.

Black History Month this year has meant a lot compared to all the other years in my career because I took an interest and wanted to get more involved by reflecting on my personal journey and how it is so similar to some of our young people in care.

I came to the UK at the age of 18. Transitioning and settling in was a challenge, however I was able to adapt easily because of the family I came to live with. This family was instrumental to me undertaking my nursing training and they guided me through my three years of studying.

I have been working in the NHS for 27 years now. During this time, I have held different positions in different NHS trusts.

My experience of working in A&E motivated me to continue with my studies to specialise in community school nursing. Once qualified I worked as a school nurse team leader in City and Hackney — my experience there was exceptional. From there I knew I was passionate about vulnerable children and young people.

I have been working in Oxleas for the last 12 years as a Looked After Children’s Nurse. Many have asked me why I have stayed in one place for so long; on reflection this role brings me a lot of satisfaction and has enabled me to have a work-life balance. I have had the privilege to get to know these children, see some of our young people become adults and support others through the difficult times of being a parent. I get so much joy seeing our young people doing well. Relationship building in this role is paramount because it allows children and young people to relate and be open with you.

Outside of work I am a Community Champion and I joined this to support young people who are vulnerable. In my community most young people who know my children will come and seek advice about family issues, contraception and career opportunities. I have been able to support other parents in the community who have struggled with their children on various issues about education and health. I am also part of a group that supports the South East London Zimbabwean community when they have suffered a bereavement.

I am a Chair of ZIMNA-UK (Zimbabwe Nurses Association) and our aim is to support other Zimbabwean nurses with pastoral, health, wellbeing and career progression in the NHS; we were among the 12 Associations to be awarded a grant by the Florence Nightingale foundation to support us in offering Pastoral care to Zimbabwean nurses.

This year I was awarded the London Royal College of Nursing Rising Star Award and this was such an honour for me. To be recognised by my trust for the hard work I have been doing over the years has opened a lot of avenues in my career.

To get more people involved with Black History Month we have organised an event for NHS colleagues, which will focus on the Zimbabwean Health Professionals who are working in the UK. I feel it’s so important to recognise different countries represented by staff in the NHS.

The ZIMNA-UK staff event is on 16 October at 5pm, with the agenda including talks from Zimbabweans awarded MBEs discussing their journey and a giving a brief history of Zimbabwean Health.

To find out more about Zimbabwe Nurses Association and upcoming events, visit www.zimna.co.uk.

Jesca Gudza — Looked After Children’s Nurse at Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust