Why it matters: Karen's work promotes inclusion for autistic colleagues, students, and mothers-to-be in midwifery. The nomination highlights efforts to make midwifery more accessible and inclusive, benefiting the local community and beyond.
Key details:
Karen is shortlisted for the Royal College of Midwives Equity, Diversity and Inclusion award
She has developed training sessions, co-authored a book, and published multiple articles on supporting autistic individuals in midwifery
She's collaborated with the Royal College of Midwives to create a toolkit for educators supporting neurodivergent midwifery students
Practical impact: Henry's work suggests strategies for supporting autistic mothers-to-be, including:
Extra time for antenatal appointments
Scheduling appointments during quieter periods
Arranging visits to labour and postnatal wards to increase familiarity
What they're saying: "Midwifery is a wonderful career which can take you down so many different and wonderful avenues," Henry said. "Teaching midwifery is a joy because I get to share my enthusiasm and knowledge with the students who will take this into practice, and I get to share their journey with them."
Background: Henry graduated from the University of Suffolk in 2018 and began lecturing there in 2022. She describes the university as feeling "like home to me, and I love working here."
What's next: The awards ceremony will take place in London this October. Good luck from Ipswich.co.uk, Karen!
Go deeper: For information about studying midwifery at the University of Suffolk, visit their BSc (Hons) Midwifery programme page.
Our content is free to read thanks to the generous support of Ellisons Solicitors, Ipswich Sports Club and PLMR Genesis
Ellisons Solicitors
Established for 260 years, Ellisons is a top 200 UK law firm and one of the region’s oldest, most established and fastest growing firms.
Ipswich Sports Club
Ipswich Sports Club is one of Suffolk’s leading independent, competitive racket sports and hockey clubs, with a rich history spanning over a century.
PLMR Genesis
PLMR Genesis is a full-service PR and digital marketing agency based in Ipswich. The team is the East of England flagship for PLMR.Suffolk businesses meet shadow business secretary in Westminster
Two dozen Suffolk organisations joined the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce for a House of Commons meeting with Andrew Griffith MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade.
Suffolk enters national esports arena with new university team
The county's first university esports team has been unveiled, with the Suffolk Mariners set to compete against universities across the UK.Police empty knife amnesty bin on Queen's Way during Neighbourhood Policing Week
Local community police officers collected knives from the amnesty bin on Queen's Way, Ipswich, as part of Neighbourhood Policing Week activities.Two Ipswich takeaways named and shamed by HMRC for unpaid tax
Ipswich Pizza Ltd, formerly trading as Pizza Gogo (Halal) Ltd, and Chapati Indian Takeaway Ltd, trading as Indian Village, have been added to the government's list of deliberate tax defaulters, with combined unpaid taxes of more than £200,000.Ipswich outperforms many parts of the country for waterside access
Ipswich residents have better access to blue spaces than the national average, with 30% of households able to reach open water within 15 minutes compared to 28% nationally.Ellisons Solicitors, Ipswich Sports Club and PLMR Genesis
Ellisons Solicitors
Established for 260 years, Ellisons is a top 200 UK law firm and one of the region’s oldest, most established and fastest growing firms.Ipswich Sports Club
Ipswich Sports Club is one of Suffolk’s leading independent, competitive racket sports and hockey clubs, with a rich history spanning over a century.PLMR Genesis
PLMR Genesis is a full-service PR and digital marketing agency based in Ipswich. The team is the East of England flagship for PLMR.Suffolk's biggest energy users to meet at carbon reduction conference
The Suffolk High Energy Users' Network will host its first annual conference on 17th July, bringing together business leaders and policymakers to showcase progress in reducing industrial emissions.Dubai chocolate poses health risks, Suffolk Trading Standards warns
Dubai chocolate, the green pistachio-filled chocolate that recently went viral on social media, may contain dangerous ingredients not suitable for UK consumers, according to the FSA.Suffolk Building Society launches 175 charitable deeds campaign
All 170 staff at Suffolk Building Society are supporting local charities and communities as part of a new campaign marking the organisation's 175th anniversary.Suffolk free school meal eligibility hits record high of 23%
Suffolk has reached its highest recorded level of pupils eligible for free school meals, reflecting a national trend that has prompted Government intervention.Food growing project targets diverse communities with farming heritage
The "Diverse Communities, Diverse Crops" initiative is seeking individuals from non-UK backgrounds with experience in farming, growing, or cooking to share their knowledge.Ellisons Solicitors, Ipswich Sports Club and PLMR Genesis
Ellisons Solicitors
Established for 260 years, Ellisons is a top 200 UK law firm and one of the region’s oldest, most established and fastest growing firms.Ipswich Sports Club
Ipswich Sports Club is one of Suffolk’s leading independent, competitive racket sports and hockey clubs, with a rich history spanning over a century.PLMR Genesis
PLMR Genesis is a full-service PR and digital marketing agency based in Ipswich. The team is the East of England flagship for PLMR.Police locate missing teenager following appeal
Kayci has been found following a public appeal launched earlier today after she was last seen in Cardinal Park in Ipswich yesterday evening.Search continues for missing teenager last seen im Ipswich
Police are concerned for the welfare of 13-year-old Kayci, who was last seen in Cardinal Park on Saturday evening, and are seeking the public's assistance in locating her.
