Trust nurse Charity has been named in the New Year’s honours list
Trust nurse Charity Gladstone has spoken of her pride after being honoured with an MBE for services to nursing.
The New Year’s honours list recognises the achievements and services of people across the UK.
Receiving the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) caps what has been an extraordinary journey for Charity. From walking to school in her bare feet back in her native Malawi, to an invite to Buckingham Palace from His Majesty King Charles. Charity’s story is a remarkable one.
She moved to the UK in 2000. Her NHS journey began in Birmingham, where she worked in critical care. Continuing her career in Cornwall in 2018, as a matron in the community, Charity played a vital role for the Trust during the COVID-19 pandemic. She then joined Gloucestershire Hospital’s NHS Foundation Trust from 2021 to work in cardiology and respiratory services. Charity returned to Cornwall in July last year to begin a new role as an advanced nurse practitioner for the Trust.
Charity received the news of her MBE in a letter from Buckingham Palace in November.
“It was so surreal, so humbling. I never imagined in my life to get anything like that at all. From where I’ve come from in Malawi, to be where I am now and honoured is remarkable.
“I used to walk to school in my bare feet and now I am going to go to the palace. Can you even make that up?”
News of Charity’s MBE even reached the President of Malawi, Lazarus Chakwera.
He congratulated Charity, saying: “May this prestigious award inspire Malawians for greater service to humanity abroad and at home.”
Charity is also president of the Malawian UK Nurses Association (MUNA). She becomes only the third person from Malawi to receive the honour.
“I really hope to use my influence to raise nursing standards, patient care and patient experience in Cornwall. I really want to connect with the communities I live in. Exciting times ahead.”
In November last year Charity was invited to attend King Charles’ 75th birthday celebrations at Buckingham Palace. This was in recognition of the contribution of internationally educated nurses, midwives and the Windrush generation in the NHS. Representing the Trust, Charity was invited as part of the south west region of internationally educated nurses and midwives.
“It was a huge honour, another surreal moment. He was relatable, he spoke about his last visit in Malawi and said he really appreciated our services to the NHS and the country. It was a pinch me moment.”