When students come up with innovative and supportive ideas, CCCU listens. Read how Alex set up a 'check-in and chat' scheme to support people in the community after the pandemic.
Alex is a Mental Health Nursing graduate. Alongside studying and being a student representative for his course, Alex ran a ‘check-in and chat’ scheme to support vulnerable people in the local community, which was set up in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Before coming to CCCU, I was a senior healthcare assistant in the adult acute psychiatric sector for Kent and Medway NHS & Social Care Partnership Trust (KMPT).
"I‘ve always been interested in mental health and have been working in this field since I was 18. After reaching a senior healthcare assistant position, I decided to study so I could progress and continue to develop myself. I've always wanted to be a nurse and love to care for others.
"I've always worked for KMPT and am somewhat KMPT-proud. CCCU has strong links with KMPT so studying meant that I'd be able to go into placements around this wonderful Trust, which was something I was always keen to do as it widened my perspective.
I loved my course. I was the student representative and thoroughly enjoyed spending time on campus. The lecturers were amazing – they have such personality and knowledge combined with a great deal of admiration for the job.
Receiving support at CCCU
"I loved my course. I was the student representative and thoroughly enjoyed spending time on campus. The lecturers were amazing – they have such personality and knowledge, combined with a great deal of admiration for the job.
"I learnt so much about the field I've chosen and was able to reflect this in my working.
"We had personal academic tutorials, and it’s fair to say my lead lecturer was somewhat of a counsellor to me. I climbed many emotional mountains in terms of my personal life, and I was always able to confide in my lecturer, who always offered to push my extensions back and help me where she could.
"This really helped me in terms of my mental wellbeing and, honestly, I don’t know what I would have done if not for her.
"With so much support given to me I wanted to give something back to the CCCU community, so I set up a 'check-in and chat' scheme for students.
"Coming back to university after the pandemic was tough for all of us, and I didn't want everyone to suffer in silence. Creating this scheme with the help from staff was great because it meant that we had a space to support each other."
The best things about studying at CCCU include going out into placement, working in so many different areas that I never thought I would, such as schools and rehab wards, and spending time with an abundance of new and interesting people.
Overcoming obstacles and thriving at placements
"The best things about studying at CCCU included going out into placement, working in so many different areas, such as schools and rehab wards, and spending time with an abundance of new and interesting people. Learning more about mental health continuously pushed me to the limit and made me better in every aspect of caring.
"Balancing work, life, and university was challenging - working full time whilst being married didn't allow for too much free time. When you put essays and exams into the mix, it was difficult.
"I loved being at CCCU. We were all constantly developing and that counts for the Faculty as well. I loved spending time on campus and learning about the field I have come to love so much.
"My aspirations have always been high; I have always dreamed big and this form of higher education has given me more confidence to know that this is entirely possible, and with my continued knowledge I can and will get to where I need to be."
Working in care means you have one goal - to enhance the experience of the people you’re caring for and give them a better quality of life.
Real ambitions and meeting real needs
"Working in care means you have one goal - to enhance the experience of the people you’re caring for and give them a better quality of life. Being on the ground means you can make a difference to everyone you work with, and whilst that’s amazing, I want more.
"I want to be at director-level, so I can implement change on a larger scale - I want to help thousands of people get a better quality of life and give them the care they deserve.
"I think I'll be progressing onto a Master's degree next and not stop until I get to the top!"