A message of thanks, reflection and hope from Joanne on behalf of FoNS
By Joanne Bosanquet, FoNS CEO
As we come to the close of another year, we want to pause and say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has stood alongside the Foundation of Nursing Studies.
This year has not been an easy one for nursing, midwifery or the wider health and care system; Pressures on services, workforce shortages, financial constraint and uncertainty have been felt deeply. And yet, in the midst of this, we have seen something extraordinary: commitment, creativity and courage from nurses and midwives across the UK and beyond.
At FoNS, we have embraced both success and challenge as opportunities for learning and growth.
Together, we have:
- Continued to champion wellbeing through nursing, placing person-centred practice at the heart of care, leadership and culture
- Supported nurses and midwives to develop as confident, compassionate leaders, able to influence systems as well as care at the bedside
- Worked with partners to address workplace culture, psychological safety and belonging – because how care is delivered matters just as much as what care is delivered
- Invested in creative, evidence-informed approaches that honour the art as well as the science of nursing
- Strengthened our foundations for the future, even when the external environment has been challenging and uncertain
We have also been honest about what is hard. We know that many of you are tired. We know that hope can feel fragile. But we believe – deeply – that hope is not passive. It is an action. And nursing has always been an act of hope.
Looking ahead
As we move into a new year, FoNS remains committed to:
- Advocating for the value and visibility of nursing and midwifery
- Creating spaces where people feel heard, valued and supported
- Enabling nurses and midwives to thrive – not just survive
- Working in partnership to shape a future where wellbeing is not an “extra”, but a core outcome of care
A few gentle reminders for a healthier Christmas
As the festive period approaches, we invite you to be as kind to yourself as you are to others:
- Rest without guilt – recovery is not a reward; it is a necessity
- Stay connected – reach out to someone who lifts your spirits, even briefly
- Lower the bar – “good enough” really is good enough
- Move and breathe – a short walk, a deep breath, a quiet moment all count
- Name what matters – reflect on one thing you’re grateful for and one thing you’ll protect in the year ahead
With gratitude
Thank you for believing in FoNS, for walking alongside us, and for everything you do to uphold the values of nursing and midwifery. Your support makes our work possible – and meaningful.
We wish you a peaceful, restorative Christmas and a New Year filled with possibility, purpose and compassion.
With warmest thanks,
The Foundation of Nursing Studies Team