Debbie Jacobs
18 Mar 2026
Two Kentown Support Community Nurse Specialists have been shortlisted for the Mariposa ‘Community’ Award
Two Kentown Support Community Nurse Specialists have been shortlisted for the Mariposa ‘Community’ Award in recognition of the exceptional work they provide to families facing baby and child loss across East Lancashire. The awards look to recognise the incredible work of bereavement and healthcare professionals from across the NHS and beyond.
Kirsty Blackburn and Clare Grady-Smith are described by one of their Bereavement Midwife colleagues as ‘changing the face of palliative care for families in a short space of time.’
The Kentown Children’s Community Palliative Care Programme is a pioneering initiative providing holistic, wrap around support to babies, children and their families, addressing critical gaps in community palliative care services. This unique model works with local services to create a more coordinated, accessible and family-focused approach for seriously ill babies, children and their families. Kirsty and Clare are part of the specialist team covering the Kentown Children’s Community Palliative Care programme in Lancashire and South Cumbria.
Nikki Galloway, Bereavement Specialist Midwife at Lancashire Women & Newborn Centre nominated Kirsty and Clare, commenting,
‘The Kentown team has played a pivotal role in developing a multi-disciplinary palliative care pathway for families alongside our fetal medicine midwife; this pathway ensures that care is delivered with sensitivity, compassion, and an unwavering focus on the family’s needs and wishes. Kirsty and Clare’s contributions to this exceptional work has significantly shaped how our service supports families during their most vulnerable moments. We have received beautiful feedback from families who have had their support leading up to their baby’s passing and beyond, despite their heartbreaking situation their gratitude for the care they’ve received is a credit to the work the Kentown Support Nurses undertake daily.’
Kirsty and Clare said,
‘Being nominated and shortlisted for this award is a truly meaningful honour. We are incredibly proud to be part of the Kentown Support programme and to support families and babies across East Lancashire, providing family focused holistic palliative and end of life care in the community. The feedback from families and nominations like these help us to recognise the value we bring to families at the most challenging times along their journey.’
The award ceremony will take place at the Landmark Hotel in London on 25 April.