A soon-to-be graduate from Great Sankey has been selected to represent his fellow University of Chester students during a royal visit as part of the University’s 175th anniversary celebrations.
James Locke, 31, from Great Sankey, Warrington, studied Pre-Registration Mental Health Nursing at the Warrington Campus of the University of Chester and achieved an outstanding first class degree.
He has been highly commended for his commitment to the institution’s Pre-Registration Nursing programme, and will represent at a number of working groups and visits, including the visit from HRH The Duke of Wessex.
Currently working as a Mental Health Nurse at St Mary’s Hospital in the town, he plans to return to his studies after establishing himself in his chosen field, with the long-term goal of having his work published and becoming a Nurse Education lecturer.
James chose to return to University as a mature student in order to further his career.
James feels that returning to education as a mature student has motivated him to gain as much from the opportunity as possible, making the most of the support available at the University to achieve the best degree possible.
Having a huge passion for mental health and wanting to expand his knowledge on the subject, James decided to study Pre-Registration Mental Health Nursing at Warrington after being impressed by the passion of the lecturers during his first visit on an open day, combined with the convenience of having a University campus on his doorstep.
James said: “The best thing about the course is the intimate and personal nature of it; the lecturers know you personally and genuinely want you to succeed. They are always available to support you when you need it and, with their guidance, I was able to achieve a first class degree.”
He embraced every opportunity presented to him as a student and became a member of the Pre-Registration Nursing committee and the Programme Planning Team, where he represented his cohort at meetings with Faculty of Health and Social Care staff and was able to provide input relating to all aspects of how his course is delivered.
Jo Lowndes, Senior Lecturer and James’s Personal Academic Tutor said: “The involvement of students in teaching activities brings so many advantages for those students earlier in their training, but unfortunately this can be difficult to secure. However, James chose to give up his own time for the benefit of others and this was well received and much appreciated.”
For his efforts, James achieved the Chester Volunteering Gold Award and The Chester Difference Excellence Award for his commitment to making a positive difference to mental health nursing, as well as being selected to meet HRH The Earl of Wessex, on his visit to the University.
James’s dedication is also praised by Julie Dulson, Director of Pre-Registration Nursing at the University.
In a letter of commendation, she said: “James has been an outstanding student on the Bachelor of Nursing Programme, and is a credit to the Faculty. We are extremely grateful for James’s support of the programme and we all wish him every success in the future.”
