In recognition of International Women’s Day, allow us to introduce you to Brittany. Brittany has changed her life and is now changing the lives of those around her.
Brittany is a champion of Sheffield Hallam’s partnership nursery and Save the Children UK’s Sheffield Early Learning Community. She was part of the BBC Panorama documentary programme Britain’s Child Health Crisis where she shared her story and the challenges that she has faced. She is an advocate for others who have faced similar challenges, and now sits on the working group for the Sheffield Poverty Truth Commission. Brittany has also just completed the Introduction to Community Development and Health programme, enabling her to become a mentor supporting other parents within the community who want to address their health challenges.
On the 17th February 2025, Brittany addressed 180 people at the Child Poverty Summit hosted by the nursery, and sat on a panel with other parents and experts such as Sir Michael Marmot and Oliver Coppard. Brittany talked passionately about being supported to find her voice through trusted relationships with the nursery and how that has given her the confidence to change her own outcomes and those of her daughter, Aleiyah. “Our daughters are going to boss the future” were Brittany’s final words to the summit. This is Brittany’s story in her own words:
“Before coming to nursery, I was struggling with mental health, I had issues around sensory overload, and I was now a mum. It had gotten to the point where I was thinking of having shared custody with my mum. I then saw that there was a nursery opening near me: The Meadows. I signed my daughter up for 5 mornings to start which was a struggle to start as we were both trying to get into a new routine. Nursery then worked with me, and we swopped sessions to two and a half days. I could then start looking after myself better, attend appointments and I was in a better frame of mind to care for my daughter. It became a lot easier having two full days and a half day, it was so much better for my mental health, I could tidy my home without my child being around, I could prepare for meals, do shopping attend health appointments and generally have some me time.
I then started volunteering for roundabout. I chose roundabout as they have supported me through addiction and homelessness. I wanted to give back and it was a great place to start. It was flexible which was better for me, and I could work around my daughter’s nursery hours. It has allowed me to grow in confidence and really do some good work.
Whist my daughter was at nursery I also did some work with Save the Children around co-design. This was great and it really got us thinking and talking about the challenges that we face as parents and as a community. It made me open up as I got to speak to all the mums and dads and get support from them and share my experiences of being a mum. This was a safe place for us all to have a voice and be really seen as individuals. I feel like some parent groups are not real because people are not honest about what they find challenging, its hard being a parent and no one teaches you how to be a mum or a dad. The Save the Children work allowed me to speak without being judged and open discussions. It was great. It’s hard being a parent and I’m not afraid to say it. Maybe if we talk about it more the more, we will learn and grow as parents.
I love the breakfast club, and my daughter does too. It allows her to attend another session and we both get to socialise and do some crafts. I think the crafts are key; it keeps my hands busy whilst we are talking, and I am quite creative, so it gives me time and space to explore and be creative. It has made us more creative at home too.
Two things I am most proud of? One is completing the PEARS programme. This helped me so much to understand my daughter’s emotions and my own which has changed our relationship for the better. I think other parents would benefit from this. It really has made us closer. The second thing is I applied for a job at the University of Sheffield and got it which I would have never gone for if it hadn’t been for the support from nursery, the confidence and creativity that Save the Children gave me and also the volunteering opportunity with Roundabout and learning new skills. I had so many emotions around this, but I couldn’t have done it alone so thank you.
I have come on so much in the last 3 years. It is crazy, but I am happier, content and confident in my skin. I am ready for the next chapter of mine and my daughter’s life. My daughter is moving on to school, but I feel more prepared for what’s to come. It definitely helped that the nursery works closely with the school, so the relationships are already formed.
I feel like I have formed some strong bonds and relationships with the staff, at the nursery and Save the Children. I feel comfortable talking to Leanna. She makes me feel relaxed and comfortable which I never thought I would with teachers. I never feel let down by Leanna and she is someone that is really supportive and no matter how busy she is, she is always there for me and my child. Without the amazing people I had around me who knows where I would be today.”
If you want to find out more about the work of the Meadows Nursery, please contact Professor Sally Pearse s.pearse@shu.ac.uk
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