New years

New Year is a man-made concept, but nonetheless it is important as a way of marking progress through time, as well as enabling the celebration of birthdays and anniversaries. January sees the start of the calendar year and April the financial one; however, I think that for many of us, September (and the start of October) marks a more significant change.

September marks the start of the new school year, but for many of our students, it is the start of the midwifery journey. In the weeks afterward, it will also be time for those newly qualified midwives to take their first independent steps. What a period of hope and expectation.

As the new intake of students embark on their journey to become a midwife, the way ahead may seem like an insurmountable climb but, in no time at all, each student will be well on their way to the summit and seeing the horizons ahead. Then each September, students will change status to second and third years, each with its own increasing expectations.