This is my personal statement, it got me interviews at Bangor and Chester. Now have a place at Bangor and made it onto Chesters reserve list so I hope it gives people some ideas when they're writing their own.


I am currently in my final year studying AS/A2 Health and Social Care. I am particularly enjoying the modules on Research and Social Policy and am basing my research assignment on the attitudes of men versus women with regard to abortion and my social policy assignment on the national shortage of midwives. I am also studying OCN Caring for Clients which covers the topics, care of the pregnant woman and neonates and includes both physical and psychological issues relating to birth, antenatal and postnatal care for both mother and baby. I have found this subject extremely interesting and it has confirmed my desire to train and qualify as a midwife. In addition to this I am studying AS Sociology as a night course on a Thursday evening and have found that it has given me a broader understanding of issues in society and how these relate to peoples lives in general. I am finding the course and additional subjects very rewarding and now feel I am ready for my next challenge.

My reasons for wishing to pursue a career in midwifery stem from my own personal experience during my first pregnancy. I was very young and anxious about parenthood but the relationship I formed with one midwife in particular made such a big difference, she was not judgemental in any way and did all she could to encourage me to have confidence in myself. My interest was stimulated further five years ago when I was asked to be a friend's birthing partner. She had recently split with her partner and I became her main source of support during her pregnancy accompanying her to antenatal checks and ultimately at the birth of her baby. I felt very privileged to be part of such a special time in her life. From these experiences I have found that the support and care a woman receives during her pregnancy can make such a big difference and feel that I would have a lot to offer as a midwife.

During my course I had the opportunity to do work experience with the health visitors based at a local clinic. I was involved in the mother and baby drop-in group, the baby weight check clinic and home visits to families. I found this a valuable experience and enjoyed meeting the mothers and their babies and learning about the different problems they faced and exploring ways to overcome them. It also gave me the opportunity to develop my communication skills in difficult circumstances such as the time we were faced with a hostile grandmother during a home visit to a new mother and baby. She felt that the needs of her daughter (who was struggling to breastfeed) were being overlooked in favour of the baby. The situation was turned around by taking time to listen to the mother, checking her breastfeeding technique, reassuring her that what she was experiencing was normal and providing her with a telephone number she could use when times were difficult.

From my previous employment experience I have learnt how to work effectively as part of a team and also to use my own initiative especially during my bar work when I would on many occasions be left in charge of the bar. I had to learn to deal with people who were not always at their best by the end of the night and often had to diffuse difficult situations with tact and diplomacy. I feel I have developed through my life to become a confident, friendly person who likes a challenge and isn't afraid to ask for help when needed. As a lone parent with two boys aged fourteen and nine I have become self sufficient and developed strategies for balancing home life and college. I have the full backing and support of my family who are all extremely proud of my achievements so far.

I am confident that I have the academic study skills, genuine interest, ambition and personality to be an asset to a midwifery degree course.