Nursing graduate Lesi has inspired families around the world
Introduction
Never dreaming that her nursing training would go on to have a major impact on communities across the world, a University of West London graduate is raising awareness of health conditions to save lives.
After being inspired to work in healthcare following her mother’s diagnosis of breast cancer, Lesi Nayuoh came to study at UWL – going on to gain her undergraduate degree and later a BSc in Adult Nursing.
Now working as an oncology nurse, she has dedicated her career since graduating on increasing understanding of public health and breast cancer care, launching talk shows and reaching hundreds of women and families across the world via social media.
Soon realising the need to reach women in BAME communities, Lesi took action and began giving talks in community centres and churches, focusing on encouraging people to talk about topics that might not previously have been discussed.
As well as calling on experts and consultants across a range of topics, Lesi began hosting talks and community outreach programmes – even setting up a BAME breast cancer support group to share experiences and encouragement.
Her efforts even spread to Facebook, where Lesi’s page Let’s Talk Health and Wellbeing is now sharing videos, advice and discussion with hundreds of followers all over the world, and has seen her win multiple awards for community support and service to humanity.
The graduate is now working towards setting up a charity to support members of the BAME community in the UK find the help they need.
quote
I wanted to give back something to the community for the care they had given my mum, and to raise awareness. Where I come from there isn’t a lot of awareness on cancer, and ignorance and lack of understanding leads to unnecessary deaths.
Then I realised it was more than awareness, people really needed help. It was overwhelming and a mix of emotions. People were asking me about diabetes, depression - I didn’t just limit it to breast cancer, I had to expand the information I was sharing.
One of the things that I learned from UWL was to give back so I could create a job for myself. I was empowered to be able to empower others. I was given the skills to go out there and help people, and I’m really grateful for that.
