Aisha Aboo’s knowledge and empathy towards patients and customers made her entry into the SMA-sponsored Infant Care Award stand out to the judges.

When Aisha was just 25 years old, her husband passed away, leaving her a single mum. She decided to return to the UK from Africa, and with support from her own mum decided to follow her dream of working in a pharmacy. Nearly nine years after joining HMS Pharmacy in Loughborough, Aisha has worked her way up to pharmacy technician and is thriving in her role.

Aisha’s experience as a mum to five children has undoubtedly helped her develop a keen expertise in infant care, which led to her being Highly Commended in this award. She is also a health champion and supplements product recommendations with general advice and ongoing support that make a big difference, such as suggesting boiling a kettle to generate some steam to help a little one that has nasal congestion. She says: “Sometimes it’s just about spending time with parents to give them the reassurance that they need and help them to understand what’s normal for a child so they know they’re doing the right thing.” Ensuring customers know that the door is always open for them to come back for more advice or to try something else is also crucial, she adds.

Aisha was nominated for the award by a colleague, who said: “She is a godsend for mothers… always taking into consideration budget and home remedies to complement medicines. She has a reassuring, confident nature that immediately puts a distressed parent or baby at ease.” The Awards panel agreed, with judge and former Spotlight Award winner Myra Battle commenting: “A naturally empathetic mum with great training showing how simple advice complements parenting to make little lives more comfortable.”