Volunteer to career: Sophie's story
Empowered by her own breastfeeding journey, Sophie Galvin, 32, discovered a new career in the NHS after volunteering with the same support group which once helped her.
Sophie, from Folkestone, said: “I was working in marketing when I had my two children. I knew from the start I wanted to breastfeed but there were challenges along the way, including sore nipples, a poor latch, tongue tie and frequent, long feeds.”
It was during her second breastfeeding journey Sophie found the help of the Cheriton Family Hub’s drop-in breastfeeding group in Folkestone, run by Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust’s (KCHFT) Health Visiting Service.
“I was so grateful for the support and guidance. It made me realise how much I wanted to give back and help other mums.”
Keen to turn her passion into something more, Sophie discovered the Volunteer to Career programme through the same drop-in sessions which helped her so much.
The programme offers a way to gain valuable experience in a healthcare setting with a direct route to a fulfilling career in the NHS or health and social care.
Encouraged by the team, Sophie began volunteering with KCHFT’s Infant Feeding Team.
With mentoring and hands-on experience, she grew in confidence, developing skills in active listening, breastfeeding support and understanding Baby Friendly Initiative standards.
“The mentoring was incredibly helpful,” Sophie says. “It gave me a clear understanding of my potential career path and the different opportunities in infant feeding.”
As Sophie continued volunteering, she stayed in close contact with the Infant Feeding Team and signed up for NHS job alerts, so that when a breastfeeding assistant practitioner role was advertised, she successfully applied.
“I love supporting others through their breastfeeding journeys, helping them overcome challenges and watching them grow in confidence as they feed their babies. It’s incredibly rewarding. I also love how my work contributes to giving babies the best possible start in life.”
For anyone thinking about a career change, Sophie is a firm believer anything is possible, especially with the right support and guidance.
“Volunteering can give you so much hands-on experience and the chance to work in a knowledgeable, inspiring team. For me, it opened doors to a career in infant feeding and I’m now thinking about becoming a lactation consultant, so I can continue to help mums and babies.”
If you’re thinking of a career change, take a look how volunteering can help you gain the skills you need, or explore our job opportunities.
