Thomas Fletcher

Thomas Fletcher, from Redditch, said he was thrilled to have achieved his dream.

“It was a hard three years academically but I loved every minute of it looking back,” he said. “I have been able to achieve something I always dreamt of and thought I would never be capable of.”

The 25-year-old added: “I chose to study mental health nursing as I had been a care assistant for many years and wanted to further develop my skills to enhance patient care and experience as a nurse. I also love how mental health nursing is a recovery process and you not only build rapport with service users but you see them through their journey with them which is so rewarding.”

Thomas, who was a student representative for his cohort, has been awarded the Mark Gibbon Award, which was set up by Mark’s family to recognise one graduating mental health nursing student each year, who has gone over and above in supporting others and advocating mental health patients.

Thomas is now working as a mental health nurse in Birmingham.

“I found the University of Worcester to be a very supportive environment and the support I received from academic staff and 1-1 support from Jan Hunt really helped me get through my degree,” he said. “I made some lovely friends for life.”

Thomas said he hopes to return to the University in the future to study for an Advanced Nursing Practitioner Master’s degree and work towards becoming a consultant nurse.