Susan McCarthy

Susan McCarthy, Head of Family Learning and Community Partnerships, Wolsey Junior Academy

“I am proud to say that I’ve been working at Wolsey School for 10 years. I support children from ages 3 to 11, as Head of Family Learning and Community Partnerships. I arrange family and community events. My role includes working with Croydon CCG, to teach the children about the local NHS.

“We recently put on an art exhibition to celebrate 70 years of the NHS. We asked the children to make a piece of art expressing what the NHS means to them. Some children drew pictures expressing what it’s like when they visit their doctor. The children also learnt about when the NHS started, the first operation, and about famous nurses including Florence Nightingale.

“Two of my favourite art models were of a children’s ward in 1948 and one of today. These were made by students in our Tudor Rose Unit, who have social and emotional difficulties and who find being in a class challenging. The unit supports them and provides shorter learning sessions. It feels great that our school can provide support for children who need it the most.

“The amount of work the NHS – the doctors, midwifes and nurses – put in for our community is just mind-boggling. Staff are always so courteous and happy. We have links with the local doctor’s surgery, A T Medics – Parkway Health Centre, just up the road. The doctors and staff there are always helpful. They know just how to talk to the children so they don’t feel anxious.

“It is important to have a doctor’s surgery nearby. We have been spreading the word to our community about the new GP Hub that is open to anyone from 8-8.

“As a community we would like to thank the NHS for all of their hard work and commitment to our community and families.”