Inspired by the care that supported her through the loss of her partner, Georgia Hadcroft, 29, has launched a business dedicated to encouraging healthcare students across the UK.
Georgia, originally from Bolton but now living in Wigan, launched her business Made by Georgia Paige after personal tragedy inspired her to give back to the healthcare community.
Inspired by nurses who cared for her late partner, Nathan, Georgia began training to become a nurse herself (Image: Georgia Hadcroft)
Her late partner, Nathan, died in 2019 at the age of 22 following a battle with a rare form of testicular cancer.
His condition was initially dismissed by doctors as a cyst, but it was not until the lump had grown to the size of a tennis ball that he was referred for intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Georgia, who became Nathan’s full-time carer towards the end of his life, said the experience completely changed her.
She said: “It turned my life upside down.
“It took me a good few years of struggling to pick myself back up.
“The nurses me and Nathan had around us kept us going.
“They were amazing and I was so inspired by them.
“I wanted to be that nurse for somebody else.
“But took me many years after to build the confidence to do it.”
Inspired by nurses who cared for her late partner, Georgia began training to become a nurse herself in Bolton (Image: Georgia Hadcroft)
She is now in her final year of a nursing degree and is due to graduate in August next year.
Georgia said the emotional toll and inspiration from her partner’s care team led her to pursue nursing, and also sparked the idea for her business.
She said: “I started my business ‘Made by Georgia Paige’ in 2023.
“I wanted some milestone cards to track my nursing journey, and was so shocked that they didn’t exist.”
Georgia’s Etsy business, “Made by Georgia Paige,” has sold over 600 milestone card sets for students in healthcare and beyond (Image: Georgia Hadcroft)
Seeing a gap in the market, she began designing and selling milestone cards, which are designed to be motivational and have affirmations on them, for healthcare students and professionals.
The cards, available through her Etsy shop and a recently opened Amazon store, have already achieved over 600 Etsy sales.
She said: “I do it alongside my degree, which can be challenging! But it’s really rewarding to be able to support healthcare students.”
The milestone cards help students mark major achievements throughout their training, offering encouragement during what can often be a stressful and emotional experience.
Now in her final nursing year, Georgia balances university, hospital placements, and running a business supporting future healthcare professionals (Image: Georgia Hadcroft)
Georgia added: “I wanted to create something meaningful that supports healthcare students through what can be a demanding and emotional training experience.
“The milestone cards really help with motivation and is a great way to track progress.”
Although she originally designed the cards for student nurses, her range has since expanded to include milestone sets for student midwives, paramedics, physiotherapists, veterinary nurses, mental health nurses, New Police Officers, New Cabin Crew, as well as baby and pregnancy milestones.
Cards originally made for student nurses now include sets for paramedics, midwives, mental health nurses, police, and cabin crew (Image: Georgia Hadcroft)
She said: “It’s really rewarding to be able to support healthcare students.”
In addition to the growth of her business, Georgia has also found new happiness in her personal life.
After years of focusing on healing and rebuilding her confidence, she met her current partner on New Year’s Eve last year.
She said: “He is my first boyfriend I’ve had since Nathan and he’s the best thing that’s ever happened!
“He is so supportive of me, and is my rock.”
Balancing her final year of nursing studies, clinical placements at Royal Bolton Hospital, and a growing side business has not been easy.
But Georgia said she is proud to be nearing the finish line.
She said: “The degree is the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life, if I knew it was going to be this hard I wouldn’t have started it!
“But I’m pushing to the finish line.”
Her story is one of resilience, finding purpose after loss, and turning a simple idea into something that now motivates hundreds of students.
A link to the Made by Georgia Paige can be found at madebygeorgiapaige.etsy.com