On August 23, 2025, the Filipino Nursing Diaspora (FiND) Network marked a historic milestone with its first-ever National Roundtable Meeting for the United Kingdom. The event brought together Filipino nurses and organizations across the UK to foster solidarity, share insights, and identify advocacy priorities.
Facilitated by Dr. Jerome Babate, FiND’s Executive Director, the meeting opened with remarks from Marlon Bernardo, UK Country Representative. He underscored the gathering’s purpose: “We are here to strengthen collaboration and solidarity among Filipino nurses and organizations in the UK, and to identify key priorities and opportunities to support our collective professional and advocacy efforts.”
One of the highlights was the message from Ariel Lanada, President of the Filipino Nurses Association UK, who emphasized unity: “Our strength as Filipino nurses lies not only in our skills and dedication but also in our ability to come together as one community. This roundtable is a testament to that unity and to our shared vision of making Filipino voices heard in healthcare leadership, advocacy, and policy-making.”
The discussions focused on pressing issues such as professional recognition, pathways to leadership, mentorship, and the importance of culturally informed support systems for nurses in the UK.
Closing the session, Irene Mayo, FiND’s Director for Engagement, remarked: “Today we have not just built connections, but strengthened our shared commitment to uplift Filipino nurses in the UK. Together, we carry the responsibility to advance our profession, empower our community, and make our voices heard.”
This inaugural roundtable laid the foundation for stronger collaboration and a unified Filipino nursing voice in the UK.