The Haileybury ethos of Spirit of Service is something with which every OH is imbued. In this fascinating story, three sisters from the Bowen family describe in their own words the driving forces behind their lives, revealing just how much this distinctive Haileybury ethos is alive and well, doing much good in the world.

Kate Bowen-Evans (Alb & K 94) – pastoral ministry and activism

Image of Kate Bowen Evans and her daughter

I joined Haileybury in the sixth form in 1994 and attended Albans, a house affiliated to Kipling (the house my brother, Mark (LS & K 89), was in). My two sisters, Claire and Beth Bowen also attended after me (see below).

As many may know, my brother was injured in a rugby accident aged 16 and left with a permanent disability. I have three children and my middle child was born with severe physical and intellectual disabilities.

MA in Theology and Biblical Studies

This prompted me into theological research into disabilities and biblical interpretation. I completed an MA Theology & Biblical Studies at the Nazarene Theological College, Manchester University in 2018. I received a Distinction for the degree and the dissertation research was focused on disability theology. I attach a copy here for your interest.

I was subsequently invited to speak at two conferences on the subject, one of which as at Rubicon, Dublin (See below).

In addition I also spoke at the book launch of Brian Brock’s Wondrously Wounded: Theology, Disability, and the Body of Christ. book launch and have recently published an article on a disabled interpretation of the Body of Christ in the Journal of Disability and Religion

PhD at Manchester

I have subsequently been invited to continue this research to PhD level and have been accepted into Manchester University’s Doctoral College to carry out a PhD part time over 6 years.

Due to my daughter’s complex disabilities I am her parent carer. Her needs limit my possibilities for full time employment. My interest in the area of marginalised bodies and disability is very personal and I will be using my research for pastoral ministry and activism and theological education throughout and after the course of study.

Award!

The Haileybury Society has a number of small grants and awards available for helping deserving cases to progress their studies. We have been so impressed by Kate’s work that our Trustees are delighted to have given her a £1500 grant on 2023/4 towards the travel costs of her PhD.

Claire Furbey (Alb & K 97) – Psychotherapeutic Counsellor

After completing my A-levels at Haileybury I went onto to take a gap year, enjoying the opportunity to explore the world and various volunteering opportunities (Conservation work in the Philippines, volunteer teaching in Uganda, and backpacking in Israel and Egypt).

I then began my BSc in Environmental Biology at Birmingham University. I graduated with a 1st in 2003 and continued straight away with my MSc in Development and the Environment which I graduated from in 2004 with a merit.

Working with children abroad

My long-term partner Paul Furbey and I got married in October 2004 and moved to London where we both enjoyed a few years of young professional life in the big city. In 2007 we moved to India where we both volunteered in a residential unit caring for children and women who had survived Child Sexual Exploitation and Human trafficking. We found ourselves deeply under-equipped for this week and learnt a huge amount about ourselves and how to engage with traumatised people.

Upon our return to the UK 2 years later in 2009 I undertook further training in Child Development with the Open University, alongside part time work with women and child survivors of domestic abuse.

We had our first child in 2011 and towards the end of that year we returned to work in India to co-found a charity (Kites Global) that’s vision was to support children and young people leaving orphanages in India with life skills and safety skills to prevent further exploitation and abuse. We continued with this work for 3 years and during that time welcomed our daughter to the world.

Inner city challenges in the UK

Upon returning to the UK in 2014 we relocated to Sheffield (my husband Paul’s home city) and put some roots down. I have trained as a Psychotherapeutic Counsellor and continue to work with children and young people across the city to support their mental health. This work involves both working in inner city schools as well as some private practice. We have also welcomed our third child.

I have recently completed my Clinical Supervision training and look forward to additionally supporting other therapists and Safeguarding Leads in their challenging work keeping children safe and happy.

My husband Paul is a dedicated Fundraiser in the charity sector and is currently a Director of Fundraising at a hospice in the North.

Beth Roper-Bowen (Alb 98) – law, volunteering, paediatric nurse

During the sixth form at Haileybury I completed the International Baccalaureate fairly early on in its introduction, and absolutely loved it. I loved the theory of knowledge and extended essay aspects of the course and really feel it gave me a great grounding in critical thinking which has helped me in my current role!

After finishing at Haileybury I went on to take a gap year where I enjoyed travelling to Malawi in South East Africa (staying with the family of a fellow OH friend), Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore and then spent 4 months volunteering in Argentina.

Law at Cambridge

In 2004 I took up my place at Magdalene College, Cambridge to study Law. Highlights of my time there involved College rowing and even getting ‘blades’ from the same college and sitting in the same seat as my Dad – which feels pretty special! I was also the secretary of the Magdalene College Law Society in 2005-6 and its President in 2006-7. I graduated in 2007 from Cambridge with a 2:1 in Law.

Following University I worked briefly for a development agency in London, and then made the decision to go and live and work for a year in Canada (under the auspices of learning French)! I spent a year in the French-Canadian city of Montreal which I absolutely and still holds a special place in my heart, making some wonderful friends – one of whom is godmother to my son!

Volunteering and support

On returning to the UK in 2009, I decided to spend a few months volunteering in India with the organisation my sister worked at – again a formative experience and part of the inspiration for my decision to work with children.

I returned to the UK at the end of 2009, moving to London and started working for a small community organisation in East London supporting women who were far away from the job market into work. This was an incredibly rewarding and demanding job.

Following this role I moved briefly to VSO working in the international marketing department with a focus on recruiting highly specialised volunteers. As part of this role I conducted global health research analysing various country’s health systems. This highlighted to me the global shortage of nurses which inspired me in 2012 to retrain as a paediatric nurse.

Becoming a paediatric nurse

Between 2012-14 I trained to be a paediatric nurse at the Florence Nightingale School of Nursing and Midwifery at King’s College London. I spent large amounts of my training at the Evelina Children’s Hospital, Guys and St Thomas’ Foundation Trust and on completing my Post Graduate Diploma in Children’s Nursing (distinction) took up a job at the Evelina. I also met my husband, Adam whilst training (he is a psychiatric nurse) and had a wonderful time studying there.

Hospitals in South Yorkshire

Since 2014-2018 I worked at the Evelina and following the birth of our eldest son we made the decision to move to Sheffield to continue our family life. Since 2018 I have been working in hospitals in the South Yorkshire region and I currently work as a Practice Educator delivering training and education to paediatric nurses within hospital. I have a second son born in 2019 and my daughter was born in 2022.

Working in the NHS, especially through the pandemic, has been an extremely rewarding and demanding career, with many highs and lows, but I never doubt the value of the work I do as part of the wider NHS team.

Tell us your story!

Sprit of Service is fundamental to every Haileyburian and we were delighted to hear the news from this dedicated family. If you are similarly engaged and would like to share your story with us, we would be delighted to share it with the OH community – to tell us more about your career and what you are doing, please email us here.

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Spirit of Service – the remarkable story of three sisters and the passions which drive them