Applications are coming in thick and fast from people all over Walsall who want to be considered for a Scholarship that has been set up in memory of much-loved Staff Nurse Areema Nasreen, who died after contracting Covid-19,
And her proud sister Kazeema Afzal couldn’t be more thrilled that such a fitting tribute has been established.
Kazeema joined Areema’s husband and other family members last month to see a plaque that has been unveiled on the Acute Medical Unit at Walsall Manor Hospital as a memorial to Areema.
She said: “My sister was so special and everyone who met her or worked with her felt the same way.
“I am so pleased that Walsall Healthcare’s Well Wishers charity, HR and the Professional Development Unit have now set up a Scholarship in her name because that’s exactly what she was all about; never giving up on her own dream and supporting others to achieve theirs.”
The Scholarship will be to financially benefit someone who is trying to reach their healthcare career goal and needs a little extra help to do so. Since it opened at the start of last week it has attracted a flood of applications.
Areema, a mother-of-three, had wanted to be a nurse since she was a teenager. She joined Walsall Healthcare as a housekeeper and never lost sight of her ambition. She eventually became a Staff Nurse on Walsall Manor Hospital’s Acute Medical Unit and said: “I cry every morning because I’m so happy that I’ve finally realised my dream of becoming a nurse.
“I am so blessed to have this role and absolutely love it. I want to make a difference.”
Kazeema added: “Channel 4 has a documentary going out at 9pm on Monday 23 November which features BAME families of frontline workers affected by Covid. It asks “Is Covid Racist?
“It is clear that not all healthcare workers have had the same experience during Covid but our family knows that Areema had all the PPE she needed in her role and that she was supported during Covid. I know that myself as a Healthcare Assistant on AMU. I took part in this programme because I wanted everyone to know what a fantastic nurse and sister Areema was and we can only speak our truth about our experience.”
The Scholarship is aimed at those who live within the Walsall borough who may be struggling with their financial or family situation or have other obstacles they need to overcome to achieve their dream of a healthcare career. It will offer a fully funded BSc in Nursing with HCSW salary whilst training, leading to a band 5 Staff Nurse post upon successful completion of the full time three year degree programme.
To apply for this very special Scholarship please email AreemasDream@walsallhealthcare.nhs.uk