Following the birth of our son, Giane was the nurse who visited us for our then very young baby’s routine check-up, and during that visit, she identified that I was not doing ok. I was struggling with my mental health and had postnatal depression, although I did not recognise this at the time. From then on, she made the necessary referrals and held regular check-ins to support my son and me. What makes her stand out is her persistence paired with genuine kindness, extraordinary compassion and empathy. She became a steady presence who made an enormous difference to my well-being, even though I sometimes resisted help. I will be forever grateful to her for not giving up on me.

She truly went above and beyond; she was the only person I felt comfortable speaking to, and she served as my point of contact. She understood that it was difficult for me to accept help and speak to people about what was going on and how I was feeling, so she remained with me, ensuring continuity of care and building rapport and trust. Reminding me that what I was feeling was valid. She listened without judgment, reassured me when I felt overwhelmed, and created a safe space where I felt seen, understood, and supported. Her kindness helped me feel less alone at a time when everything felt frightening and unfamiliar. Over time, she felt more like a friend and empowered me on the journey to become myself again.

Her calm and caring approach made it much easier to accept help and get better. She was the unwavering support I needed during a very scary time in my life. I can say without doubt that without her help, my life and the relationship I have with my son would be very different today. Giane’s care went far beyond her clinical responsibilities. She treated me with genuine warmth, patience, and humanity. Giane’s hard work and dedication to patient care are like none I’ve seen before. She made an incredibly difficult time easier, and I can’t thank her enough for the kindness she has shown us throughout this journey.

It's important for you to know what a huge asset Giane is to your organisation. I have come across and worked alongside many nurses in my life; however, I have never met a nurse as genuine, caring and determined to help people as she is. Whilst I can say thank you to her, it doesn’t feel like enough. Giane embodies the true spirit of nursing: compassion, commitment, and a deep belief in the people she cares for. She made an enormous difference in my life, and I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this recognition. Thank you, Giane, from all of us.