Mum and Daughter – Amy’s Story

Amy is a CHWW. Her heartwarming story explains what a CHWW is and how she became one.

Amy’s life changed when she was asked if she’d like to apply for a new job. She loved the job she was doing, working in the field of Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence. It was a permanent contract, and she was very happy and felt secure. Why would she want to leave?

The request didn’t come from just anybody, it came from her mum! Busy supporting people in the community, Mum needed admin and data analysis support. Amy’s skill set covered such a role as she’d previously worked in a school as a receptionist and admin staff, with a Health and Safety brief.

The new role was not a permanent one; it was initially for six months. It would mean taking a huge risk and what is more, it was a number crunching and organizational role rather than a job where Amy could use her interpersonal skills and make a difference to peoples’ lives. She was in a quandary! What should she do?

Amy spoke to her sister about it. She had enjoyed working with their mum at Bodmin College. She said to Amy: “You don’t want to miss working with Mum.”

Amy realised the opportunity of working with her mum was a limited. Retirement would inevitably stop her mum from working and a chance like this was likely to never come again.

She took the plunge. She gave in her notice, applied for the new job and soon was enjoying working with her mum.

She joined her mum’s ever-changing world. An initiative from the NHS came their way. It offered comprehensive training and a role that entailed working alongside and supporting people. It was exactly what Amy wanted. She could have it all ways – still work with her mum and be a health worker with her mum as coach. Amy applied for the job of Community Health & Wellbeing Worker (CHWW) and got it.

And Amy’s mum? It’s Revd Elaine Munday.