A BARNSLEY midwife has dedicated four decades to caring for mums and babies including over 20 years as a community midwife.

Jo Bowering works in the Darfield and Dearne areas now but previously worked in other parts of Barnsley and says she is honoured to have played her part in the most important journey of so many mums’ lives.

Particularly close to Jo’s heart are those women and families with additional needs and Jo has prioritised those who are marginalised.

A recent mother’s heartfelt testimony highlighted Jo’s exceptional support. Struggling with autism, PTSD and anxiety, the mother feared her pregnancy journey, but Jo’s unwavering compassion, adaptability and advocacy transformed her experience.

Jo, who lives in Cudworth, helped pioneer care in the early days, working as a community midwife in deprived areas, often going above and beyond her paid role. While working in one area of Barnsley, she got to know asylum seekers who were isolated with little money. Jo rallied round to buy Christmas presents for their children.

“You have to do what you can do to help, I couldn’t see the children go without,” said Jo.

She has also helped women struggling with substance abuse, and has a passion for parent education, patient choice, personalised care and support planning, particularly in advocating for diverse groups.

The women in her communities see Jo as a lifeline and she has provided them with care repeatedly. On one occasion, she cared for a baby who was not gaining weight. Jo advocated and was persistent with paediatricians, and the baby was referred to Leeds General Infirmary where it was discovered that baby had a major heart problem. The baby had a heart transplant and Jo is still in contact.

She also delivers parent education with skill and humour, running family planning and sexual health courses and teaching students, while challenging negative opinions.

Jo, who is 59, says of her time as a community midwife: “It was the best ever experience, as women really needed me as a compassionate midwife.”

Her colleague Sarah Williams said: “Throughout her career, she has consistently demonstrated selflessness, professionalism, and a deep commitment to supporting others. Jo goes above and beyond to ensure that every woman in her care receives the highest standard of support and attention.

“As a colleague, Jo is exemplary always willing to assist and share her knowledge, making her an invaluable and highly respected member of the team. She has spent much of her community career looking after particularly vulnerable women and their families. They class Jo as ‘their midwife’ and she has provided care for them in subsequent pregnancies, sometimes over and over!

“Jo has a great sense of humour and can always lighten the mood when necessary. I’m really pleased to have worked alongside Jo for my whole career.”

Jo has shown outstanding dedication to patient care over her long career but was still surprised to be nominated for a Proud of Barnsley Hospital Hero award: “I’m a bit gobsmacked - it’s lovely to be recognised even though that’s obviously not why we do it. It’s just what we do, we give our best and it’s been an absolute honour to do what I have done for so long.”