Jaime Owen, Lead Theatre Practitioner at Beaumont Hospital in Bolton, part of Circle Health Group, has been awarded the Association for Perioperative Practice (AfPP) Volunteer Award, a £1,000 grant in memory of former AfPP member Hilda Winifred Mears.
Hilda held a significant number of perioperative roles both in the UK and overseas. Following her death in 2008, she left a valued legacy to AfPP, which now funds two annual Volunteer Awards, each worth £1,000, to support perioperative practitioners undertaking voluntary work overseas.
The purpose of the award is to help AfPP members share their expertise with organisations delivering care in countries where free, quality healthcare is not readily available. Jaime will be using her award to join a Hernia International mission to Sierra Leone in January 2026, working alongside a team of international surgeons and anaesthetists. The trip aims to provide surgical treatment for around 50 patients suffering from groin and abdominal hernias, conditions that can be debilitating, especially in low- and middle-income countries where access to surgical care is limited.
Hernia International’s mission is to relieve sickness and protect the health of individuals affected by hernias, offering financial assistance, surgical operations, medical equipment, and ongoing support. With millions of untreated hernia cases in Africa alone, their work addresses a significant global healthcare need. Jaime’s skills and experience will play a vital role in the charity’s impact.
Jaime has been a member of AfPP since her student days and says the support and opportunities the Association provides have been invaluable to her career. She is deeply grateful for the Volunteer Award, describing it as a lifeline that is enabling her to contribute to a cause she cares about deeply. She hopes her story will inspire other members to seize opportunities through AfPP and explore the impact they can make both at home and abroad.
Reflecting on the opportunity, Jaime said: “Participating in this volunteer trip will be a transformative experience for me, offering numerous benefits for my personal and professional growth. Working in a resource-limited setting will challenge me to adapt and innovate, honing my clinical skills. I will gain hands-on experience in performing surgeries in challenging environments and managing postoperative care, which will be invaluable in my career as a healthcare professional.”
She added that immersing herself in a different cultural and healthcare setting will broaden her perspective and strengthen her ability to work in multidisciplinary teams: “Contributing to a cause greater than myself will be deeply fulfilling. Knowing that my efforts have directly improved the lives of individuals in need will give me a profound sense of accomplishment and purpose.”
This is not Jaime’s first time volunteering with Hernia International, last year, she joined a mission to Tanzania after hearing about the charity through a surgeon she worked with. She recalls that the hernia operations overseas are far more complex than typical UK cases, as patients often present with large, longstanding hernias that have severely impacted their quality of life. Many are farmers who have become bedbound and suffer poor mental health because of their condition.
Jaime’s journey into perioperative care has been anything but conventional. She began her working life studying Geography and taking part in environmental volunteer work in New Zealand, later volunteering as a Countryside Ranger for Lancashire County Council for 10 years. While working for NHS BSA Prescription Services, she learned about the role of an Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) and, as a single parent to her one-year-old son Charlie, decided to retrain. She spent her 40th birthday at university, and since qualifying, she has progressed steadily through the ranks, becoming the Surgical Safety Guardian at Beaumont Hospital.
Her passion for patient safety and making a tangible difference in people’s lives has driven her to take on these international volunteer roles, despite the personal and financial challenges involved. She funded her trip to Tanzania through crowdfunding and says the AfPP Volunteer Award has been “lifesaving” for her plans to reach Sierra Leone.
“As a single parent, the flights alone cost more than £1,600. Volunteers pay for everything themselves, so this award makes all the difference. If I can do this at 47, you can do whatever you put your mind to. I’m proud of what I’ve achieved and want to be a good role model for my son.”
Jaime believes more AfPP members should know about the Volunteer Award: “It’s important people know these awards exist; they can be life-changing, not just for the practitioners but for the communities they serve. More people should apply.”
The AfPP Volunteer Award continues to honour Hilda Winifred Mears’ commitment to perioperative practice, supporting members like Jaime to make a lasting impact where it is most needed.
You can find out more about the AfPP Volunteer Award, and apply, here: https://www.afpp.org.uk/professional-development/awards-and-bursaries/volunteer-award/
Pictures show Jaime volunteering.