UWL alumna Chloe Hammond sitting on the This Morning couch with Holly Willoughby, Phillip Schofield and her dog, Ocho.
UWL alumna Chloe Hammond sitting on the This Morning couch with Holly Willoughby, Phillip Schofield and her dog, Ocho.

UWL alumnus Chloe Hammond recognised by This Morning on International Women’s Day

Intro

For International Women’s Day, ITV’s This Morning surprised disabled nurse and UWL alumnus Chloe Hammond, whose inspirational story then featured on the programme. Chloe’s mother Jackie had contacted This Morning, to tell them about her daughter, who is a massive fan of the programme. The pair were having coffee across from the TV studios when Philip Schofield unexpectedly appeared, before taking them both back with him for an interview on the programme’s famous sofa, along with Chloe’s assistance dog, Ocho.

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UWL alumna Chloe Hammond sitting and paying attention to Ocho the dog on the This Morning couch with Holly Willoughby, Phillip Schofield.

Chloe, who was diagnosed with multiple rare conditions including Behçet’s disease and Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos in her teens, studied Children’s Nursing at the University of West London (UWL). On graduation, she worked at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and then Bristol Children’s Hospital before being forced to resign due to mobility issues. 

She now works as a community lead nurse in complex care at Radis, accompanied by her Labrador Ocho, who she is training herself to be an assistance dog (with the support of DogAID). 

Chloe says:

I was still struggling with my health and mobility in care homes, and I considered giving up. But then I got Ocho. He helped me feel confident and capable. And now, thanks to him, I have a new job and I’m the clinical lead and wear the dark blue uniform. I feel like me again. And one day I hope Ocho and I will be managing our own nursing home.”

Behind the scenes at This Morning Show, featuring UWL alumna Chloe Hammond, camera people, Ocho the dog and Vanessa Feltz

In recognition of her remarkable story and determination in the face of so many challenges, Chloe received the UWL Recent Graduate Award 2022 in the UWL Alumni Awards. The Recent Graduate Award recognises those who have the potential to reach the highest levels of success in the future.

So impressed were the This Morning team, that not only did they treat Chloe and Jackie to a spa day, they will now also pay her £5,000 to help with Ocho’s upkeep and training. 

Speaking to BristolLive, Chloe said This Morning has helped her "more than they know".  

Chloe says:

Everyone is struggling with the cost of living, but people don’t realise that a life-saving mobility aid like Ocho is expensive. He’s another mouth to feed, another insurance, training, vaccines, leads/collars/vets etc. It all adds up. 

Chloe adds:

I loved my time at UWL. I had so much support from my tutors. Don’t get me wrong Uni is hard. But it’s so worth doing. Graduation was such an amazing day. I felt so proud.” 

UWL’s College of Nursing Midwifery and Healthcare is a major provider of nursing, midwifery, healthcare and social work courses in Berkshire and West London. Its general nursing courses are ranked as the best in London in the Guardian University Guide 2024*.

College of Nursing, Midwifery and Healthcare

The College of Nursing, Midwifery and Healthcare is a major provider of pre- and post-registration courses in West London and Berkshire.

A female student nurse at a hospital reception

* UWL received the ranking listed above when compared to all other universities ranked in the guides / surveys cited.

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