Interview: Three lives that were transformed by the CMI bursary Written by Annie Makoff-Clark Tuesday 18 April 2023 Share Share to LinkedIn Share to Facebook Share via email The CMI bursary gave 75 people up to £1,000 per year to support their training. Three recipients share their inspirational stories The story behind Mayah’s Legacy is deeply personal: Keji Moses, its founder and CEO, set up the charity after experiencing the trauma of two pregnancy losses, including the stillbirth of her daughter Mayah in 2018. Keji, who had been working for the Metropolitan Police for 18 years while also holding several voluntary leadership roles, including family magistrate at the Ministry of Justice, decided to return to work soon after. But her grief was too much. Keji was battling with PTSD. It was, she says, an absolutely awful time. “I took a career break and I did a lot of self-reflection. I remember thinking ‘either I continue down this path or I do something about it’.” Keji channelled her energy into setting up Mayah’s Legacy in 2019 – determined to find meaning in her grief. “Mayah’s Legacy is about equipping mothers and families to use their own voice to self-advocate during pregnancy. It’s about trusting your gut instinct and speaking out.” says Keji. “Mayah may not be here physically, but what she came to do is coming through for the families and individuals we support. That’s what keeps me going.” Keji also works at the DWP as a work coach and volunteers extensively, sitting on various committees, including the Bereavement Steering Group at the QEQM NHS Trust and the DCP Faculty for Perinatal Psychology. The CMI bursary has been so important to me. I would never have been able to fund the diploma otherwise. It’s given me the confidence to deliver vital mental health support to mums in focused, highly strategic ways Yet, despite her expansive experience and dedication to her field, something was missing: she needed a more strategic approach to bring it together. Keji came across the CMI bursary in 2022 and one particular course jumped out at her. Barely a month later, Keji had completed her CMI Level 7 Award in Strategic Approaches to Mental Health and Wellbeing. A self-directed course, which can take up to a year, it took Keji just a month to complete. “Qualifications aren’t an indication of competence, but for me, the CMI diploma gives me that assurance and confidence in what I’ve achieved,” she says. Keji says she’s been able to apply both practical and theoretical elements of the course to her working life almost immediately. She designed a project aimed at creating safe space for families using frameworks and tools gleaned from the diploma, as well as developing her leadership skills. “The CMI bursary has been so important to me. I would never have been able to fund the diploma otherwise. It’s given me the confidence to deliver vital mental health support to mums in focused, highly strategic ways.” Give your career confidence a boost Keep reading for two more stories of the transformative impact of the CMI Bursary Login or register below for Free Instant Access Login If you are already registered as a CMI Friend, Subscriber or Member, just login to view this article. Confirm your registration Login below to confirm your details and access this article. Sign in with email Email remember me remember Forget? Please confirm that you want to switch off the "Sign in with email" remember me feature. Yes No Register for Free Access Not yet a Member, Subscriber or Friend? Register as a CMI Friend for free, and get access to this and many other exclusive resources, as well as weekly updates straight to your inbox. You have successfully registered As a CMI Friend, you now have access to whole range of CMI Friendship benefits. Please login to the left to confirm your registration and access the article. Interview At CMI, we’re hugely privileged to have contributed to many people’s management and leadership journeys. Take a look back at some of the people we’ve interviewed for some top tips and exclusive insight. Members See More CMI Members have access to thousands of online learning and CPD resources. Learn more about our membership benefits Join The Community CMI offers a variety of flexible membership solutions, tailored to your needs. Find out more and get involved in the CMI community today.
