A landmark photography project
Photography by Yasmin Carter
Former Consultant Midwife Faye Macrory MBE is a pioneer in midwifery care, who has been prepared to challenge and change attitudes to ensure a better deal for women with substance misuse problems. She was the first consultant midwife in the region to specialise in treating mothers with drug problems and helped lead a scheme to test pregnant women for HIV. Early detection can prevent the baby from contracting the disease.
Her work has helped turn around the way these women are treated across the maternity hospitals in Manchester. Faye became a substance misuse liaison midwife in 1995. She was responsible for managing and strategically developing the service for substance dependent women the city of Manchester. This model of care is now standard practice in many maternity services throughout the UK.
Faye outside the Zion Community Resource Centre in Hulme the base for the city's Specialist Midwifery Services between 1992 - 2015
When I meet vulnerable women down on the beat, they now say to me, 'when we go into the hospital, they don’t treat us like shit anymore'... that’s a good outcome!
Faye and her specialist midwifery team were based at the Zion Community Resource Centre in Hulme from 1992 – 2015. She is also directly responsible for developing other services for pregnant women including perinatal mental health; domestic abuse/violence; sex workers; sexual abuse/exploitation and latterly FGM.
Faye received an Outstanding Achiever Award at a health awards ceremony in 2004 for her work with pregnant drug addicts. In1997 she received an MBE from the Queen for her services to Healthcare.
Faye receiving her MBE from the Queen in 1997
THE SHOOT: The Zion Community Resource Centre, Hulme
The former base of Manchester's Specialist Midwifery Service
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Student reflection: Yasmin Carter
Over the last few years, I have done a number of shoots for Greater Mancunians and each one is unique. Photographing Faye was an absolute privilege and incredible fun. She turned up in a leather jacket, sunglasses, red lipstick and boots which just seems to reflect her outgoing personality.
We did all of the photography in and around the Zion Centre and it was a bright day so the light was ideal. Faye was open to suggestions for locations and poses. Faye gave us a a tour of the building where she bumped into old friends and work colleagues who greeted her such love and affection. We move from inside of the building to the centre’s beautifully kept and peaceful garden where the light was amazing. The colour and greenery made a fantastic backdrop for portraiture helping to emphasise Faye’s dress and her facial features.
During the shoot I took the opportunity to chat to Faye about her work and I can honestly say that she is one of the most inspirational women I have ever met. It is easy to see how she has inspired so many others. I am incredibly pleased with my final images, they really do capture Faye’s effervescent personality.
