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College of Human and Health Sciences
Graduation Newsletter - January 2015

Graduation Newsletter 2015
Congratulations
Congratulations to all our students receiving awards from Swansea University this year.
You have all worked hard to get to this point; hours of studying, burning the midnight
oil to deliver assignments on time, the stress of examinations and for some attending
work-based placements.
Graduation is a time of pride and celebration in higher education and the College of
Human and Health Sciences has much to celebrate, with students completing courses
across a wide range of academic subjects and professional programmes.
The staff are committed to ensuring that we deliver teaching that is both research-led and
practice-driven and take great pride in knowing the contribution our students will make to
society, locally, nationally and, for some, internationally.
These are challenging times in which to be entering the world of work, but you can have
confidence that your award from Swansea provides a positive start as you begin the next
phase of your lives. Some of you may choose to continue your studies immediately or may
choose to come back to us in years to come – we warmly welcome our former students
back into the fold for postgraduate and research studies, and have a raft of options
to enable you to develop further knowledge and skills for work or for more personal
development.
Whatever you choose to do we wish you every success in your future careers.
Professor Ceri Phillips
Head of College

Graduation Newsletter 2015
Q&A with Hywel Dda
Outstanding Achievement
Award winner:
Angharad Thomas
Angharad Thomas, 41
from Fishguard, graduated
today with two terrific
achievements; a First Class
Honours in BN Nursing,
and the Hywel Dda
University Health Board’s
Outstanding Student
Award.
Here she tells us about her
course, what she is doing now,
and how she feels about winning
the award!
What did you do prior
to studying at Swansea
University
“I enrolled on an Access to
Health Course in Pembrokeshire
College, studying part-time
over two years, to give me
the necessary qualifications to
apply for my nursing degree. I
did this alongside working in
the Histology Department in
Withybush Hospital, where I had
worked for eight years.”
Why did you choose
to study at Swansea
University
“It was a well-structured course
that suited myself and my family.
It also offered me the opportunity
to study nursing at the St David’s
Park Carmarthen campus, which
was closer to home.”
Can you tell us about your
course
“The course was over three
years and consisted of a
combination of block modules,
with a mix of academic and
clinical placements.
Each academic module
would usually be
relevant to the next
clinical placement in
order to put theory
into practice, and had
a strong emphasis
on evidence-based
practice.”
What part of the course did
you enjoy the most
“I mostly enjoyed going into
clinical practice as it was ‘hands
on’. I was able to transfer my
academic knowledge into
practical skills and expand my
experience and confidence in a
clinical area. This was definitely
my comfort zone.”
What’s been your highlight
whilst studying at Swansea
University
“Highlights would definitely
be completing the course and
receiving my First Class Honours
degree. And also meeting
some fantastic people that have
completed the journey alongside
me, who will remain my friends
for life.”
What are your hopes for
the future
“My plans at present are
to continue to expand my
knowledge in my current
employment and to take every
opportunity to improve my
personal development. For my
future progression I would hope
to eventually specialise and am
looking forward to exploring my
Angharad Thomas
interests further.”
Would you recommend
Swansea University to
other students
“I would definitely recommend
Swansea University. The courses
are well structured and there
are some fantastic tutors.
Facilities are really good, such
as the library, and are easily
accessible.”
How do you feel about
winning this award
“I was absolutely shocked,
delighted and very proud when
notified about the award. I have
been blessed to have some
wonderful mentors within my
placements that inspired and
encouraged my journey. The
mentor that nominated me for
this award gave me support,
guidance and encouragement
100% of the time. She always
identified learning opportunities
for me and I thank her for
supporting and inspiring me
to challenge myself in my new
career. Having this award is the
icing on the cake!”

Graduation Newsletter 2015
Nicholas Weaver:
The first ever Mental
Health Nurse to win the
Margaret Perry Award
The Margaret Perry
Award for outstanding
achievement in nursing,
has today been received by
a Mental Health Nursing
graduate for the first time.
Therapeutic Day
Service. It was a
great experience
to assist clients
with talking
therapies.”
Ana Winstone
Nicholas Weaver, from Llanelli,
today graduated from Swansea
University with a first class
honours in his BN Mental Health
Nursing degree, joining a list of
seven Adult Nursing graduates
who have received the Margaret
Perry award since its inception in
2007.
Beginning his studies as
a mature student with a
background in computer science
research and having worked as
a support worker in a housing
organisation, Nick chose to
study at Swansea University’s
College of Human and Health
Sciences due to the quality of the
University and its location.
He said: “I would recommend
Swansea University because
it guides you properly into the
chosen field of expertise and
gives you the freedom to pursue
your interests with some degree
of autonomy.
“I most enjoyed the literature
review which I did about nurse
therapists in psychotherapy.
This was a great experience
in research for me, and I was
able on successfully completing
my placement to experience
nurse therapy in action at a
Nick now plans
to go into either
research, or
continue as
a full time
psychiatric nurse, with
an emphasis on talking
therapies.
He said: “I am very happy to
receive this award. I certainly
worked hard for my degree
and put my best effort in. The
award is confirmation that I
have developed good practices
and approaches to research
and study. It is also a great
Nicholas Weaver
affirmation from the academic
team towards me as a student.
“I would also like to thank my
wife, Zoe, who supported me
throughout the degree, and
without whom I would not
have been able to achieve
the standards requisite for this
award.”
Hywel Thomas, Senior Lecturer at the College of
Human and Health Sciences and Nick’s personal tutor
said:
“During his time as a student on the pre-registration mental health
nursing programme, Nick always displayed a professional attitude,
and acted as a supportive peer to fellow students. Nick remained
true to these values both in practice and also in his written
assignments. Nick’s writing is of an excellent quality, challenging
and critical. He has been a pleasure to teach.
“Most importantly he has a clear patient-centred vision, and a
passion for mental health nursing. Nick’s passion continues to
thrive, and since qualifying he has already organised and set up a
relaxation group within his current workplace. On behalf of myself,
as personal tutor, and colleagues within the mental health team we
wish him well in his future career.”

Graduation Newsletter 2015
Midwifery Award and a Degree
for Dairy Farming Sian
A double celebration
for Sian Evans, 31,
from Whitland, today
saw her graduate with
a 2:1 from her BMid
Midwifery degree, as well
as receiving Swansea
University’s Myfanwy
McAteer Award.
The Myfanwy McAteer award is
awarded annually to the BMid
Midwifery student who has
shown outstanding commitment,
dedication and personal
achievement.
Prior to studying at Swansea,
Sian - a mother of two who
runs a dairy farm alongside
her husband - worked as a
Health Care Support Worker
in Withybush Hospital in
Haverfordwest. Deciding to
take the step into Midwifery, she
embarked on an Access course
in Pembrokeshire College in
order to gain her grades to apply
to university.
Sian said: “The midwifery
degree is a very demanding and
intense course. It needed pure
dedication and hard work to
get through it. If you are hungry
enough for it you will work for it,
whatever it takes.
“I look back now and think ‘how
on earth did I manage it all’, but
the tutors are truly fantastic along
with the placement mentors. I
had such fantastic placements
I did most of my training at
Withybush, it was such a
fantastic unit with such dedicated
midwives who really showed
the true meaning of team work;
they are all very special
people.
“I’m a worker and
being on placement
with the women
is where I felt I
excelled. I loved
every second of it,
knowing that you
have made a
small difference
to someone
is so rewarding. Having
the opportunity to experience
different types of placements was
also fantastic and enhanced my
learning.”
Since leaving the course, Sian
secured a job in Glangwili
hospital in October 2014, and
is currently expecting her third
baby! Her dream is to be based
in the community or on the
midwife-led unit in the future.
She said: “I am thoroughly
enjoying my new job and look
forward to developing my
knowledge, skills and providing
high quality midwifery care to
women and their families. I am
expecting my third baby in April,
so I will be very busy. Therefore
I will be taking a break from
midwifery but will return and
hope to gain as much experience
as possible.”
Susanna Darra, Head of
Midwifery Education at Swansea
University, said: “If you asked
Sian’s mentors in practice why
she deserved to be nominated
for the Myfanwy McAteer award,
they would tell you about a
student midwife who developed
Sian Evans
from a shy, self-conscious health
care support worker into a kind,
compassionate midwife…one
whom all her mentors would
gladly have working on their
shift, or in their team. In practice,
Sian was not only totally reliable
but also a grafter; a student who
would forfeit her tea break to
help out a colleague or provide
care for women and families.
“If you asked the women whom
Sian has cared for they would tell
you how she made them feel at
ease with her gentle manner and
willingness to support them in
their birth choices. The ability to
gain trust from women to make
them feel safe is an essential skill
in midwifery practice and one
that came very easy to Sian.
“If you asked her teachers,
they would tell a story of a very
dedicated and extremely hard
working student who did not
really relish the academic work,
but who always did her best and
was grateful for any support she
received.

Graduation Newsletter 2015
Suzanne Darra concluded: “Sian is a worthy winner of this year’s Myfanwy McAteer award
and it is a prize not just for her but also for her everyone who has witnessed her diligence and
determination; her children and extended family, her midwife mentors and all the midwifery
teaching team.”
Sian concluded: “Receiving the Myfanwy McAteer Award was a complete surprise - I was so
shocked that I was even considered for the award. It is a great honour and I am truly touched.
Winning an award like this doesn’t happen to people like me, my hard work and determination
has obviously paid off. I would like to dedicate the award to my husband for his constant
encouragement and support, my two daughters which will hopefully show them that anything
can be achieved with hard work and determination. And last but not least my dear late mother
in law who was a constant support and believed in me and without her I would have not been
able to begin my journey of becoming a midwife.”
Q&A with Mental Health Nurse Rebecca
Roberts, who now has her dream job!
What did you do prior
to studying at Swansea
University
“I studied at a Welsh
Comprehensive School,
Ysgol Gyfun Llanharri before
completing a BTEC National
Diploma in Sorts science and
excellence.”
Why did you choose
to study at Swansea
University
“While at College, I volunteered
with a group of people who
suffered with learning disabilities
which I found very rewarding.
This inspired me to become a
nurse and help people to make a
difference to their life.”
Can you tell us about your
course
“It was an interesting course with
different speakers who made
it interesting and real. I had a
range of placements which I was
very grateful for and I received
good support from lecturers who
were very helpful and always
there if you needed something.”
What part of the course
did you enjoy the most
“I enjoyed learning more about
Mental Health and how the
NHS and private companies
are trying to develop
their wards and facilities.
Another highlight was the
placements – I had a
placement in Brecon and
stayed there for 6 weeks. I
found it very beneficial.”
What’s been your
highlight whilst studying
at Swansea University
“Definitely completing the course
with a second class honours,
helping patients with their care
and getting my dream job after
all the hard work.
What are your plans/hopes
for the future
“I plan to remain in PICU for
the next year and do as much
relevant training as I can. When
I’m ready I’d like to go back to
Swansea and study a masters
in CBT or family therapy, and
maybe one day do my nurse
Rebecca Roberts
prescribing course”
Would you recommend
Swansea University to
other students
“Yes, I have already
recommended it to friends who
have applied for next year. I’ve
had an amazing three years
in Swansea! I’ve had very
supportive lectures and gained
so many friends over the years.“

Graduation Newsletter 2015
From Health Care Support Worker
to First Class Mental Health Nurse
Samantha Glennie, from
Lampeter, has today been
awarded with a First
Class degree in Mental
Health Nursing, for her
outstanding studies at
Swansea University.
Coming to University as a
mature student, with a career as
a Health Care Support Worker
behind her, Sam, 41, at first
doubted her ability to achieve
academically.
She said: “I worked for the
National Health Service, as a
Health Care Support Worker, on
an adult acute inpatient unit for
individuals experiencing severe
mental health issues.
“The nurses I worked alongside
encouraged me to do my nurse
training and Swansea University
was convenient and offered the
degree course in Mental Health
Nursing.
“The tutors were extremely
supportive in every aspect of
my learning and the course
offered every opportunity to gain
valuable knowledge which I
now require as a newly qualified
Mental Health Nurse.”
In particular, Samantha felt
that she benefitted from an
opportunity to travel to Cornwall
with a surf therapy organisation
to spend time with individuals
participating in a Surf Therapy
Session.
She said:“There was plenty of
encouragement to seek our own
individual learning opportunities
outside of the curriculum.
“My tutors supported and
encouraged me to participate
in the surf therapy study, so
I could bring my experience
back to the University to share
with the cohort. It was whilst I
was involved with the sessions
I gained an insight into the
impact that the therapy had
on the children participating,
and learning how they were no
longer children with issues in
their school play grounds but
they were surfers!”
Sam concluded: “I am now,
having finished my degree
course, employed by my
local health board in a role
offering support to individuals
experiencing mental health
issues. I hope to be able to go
on and gain further qualifications
and training in a range of
interventions.
“I hope to support as many
individuals as possible through
their recovery from mental health
issues so that they can gain the
quality of life that they want to
achieve.
“Having taken on the degree
as a mature student, doubting
my ability to be able to achieve
academically to degree
standard, I managed to gain a
first in my degree. I am extremely
proud of this and wish to thank
the support and encouragement
of all at Swansea University in
enabling me to excel way past
my expectations.”
“Sam has been an excellent mental health nursing student, with fantastic reports from
practice mentors and managers. Her willingness and interest to innovate has been
outstanding, and always related to improving patient care.
“Sam’s creativity and interest in combining work with the voluntary and mental health
sector has encouraged staff and service users to engage in alternative treatments. She is
a full supporter of recovery principles in mental health, and has championed eco-therapy
(nature based treatments that promote inclusion) with service users and staff. We wish
Sam well in her future career and look forward to hearing about her further innovations.”
Julia Terry, Senior Lecturer in Mental Health Nursing

Graduation Newsletter 2015
Lisa’s pioneering work helps children
and young people through play
A Swansea University
student who has pioneered
a way of helping children
in hospital to understand
their own medical
procedures through play
has achieved academic
success. Lisa Morgan from
Bryn, Port Talbot, has been
awarded a Master’s degree
in Developmental and
Therapeutic Play.
Lisa has been a nursery nurse
for 20 years, and was working
as a play leader in Morriston
Hospital when she first decided
to apply for the Master’s Degree.
Her work with children led her to
develop a passion in relation to
hospital play, and she decided
to implement the use of puppets
to help prepare the children
for medical procedures and
treatment. She also wanted
to study and gain theoretical
knowledge about children’s
development and therapeutic play
at university.
Lisa said: ‘I have been fortunate
enough to have been given the
opportunity to study at Swansea
University on a part-time basis to
further develop my knowledge of
therapeutic play. I work within a
team of five play leaders and we
see children from birth up to 16
years old. We provide structured
age appropriate play in the
playroom or at the bedside for
short stay or long term children.
I have seen first-hand how vitally
important it is to prepare the
children for their procedures
using age appropriate language
that they can understand. I
encourage the children to blend
the fantasy with the reality of their
admission,
and by introducing the puppets
this enables them to use their
imagination to create their
own story about their hospital
experience. This helps to relax
them and distracts them from
uncomfortable procedures,
which in turn makes their family
less anxious.”
Her University studies helped
Lisa to develop a deeper
understanding of this subject
and have led to her giving guest
lectures on this topic. She also
co-authored a book chapter
focused on play for children in a
hospital setting and is currently
writing a full book proposal on
developmental and therapeutic
play for children in hospital with
Dr Justine Howard from Swansea
University. Her achievements in
this area were also recognised
when she was granted the
runner-up prize in the Welsh
RCN Nurse of the Year
Awards 2014.
Lisa said: “Last year, from
generous donations from
the general public my
department was able
to purchase a whole
family of puppets so
that children across all
wards could benefit
from their use. My
aim is to build upon
this and help spread
the word about the
benefits of this kind
of therapeutic play
for children across
the whole of the
hospital trust.”
Lisa’s personal tutor, Dr
Justine Howard said: “Lisa
was nervous when she joined
the MA Developmental and
Therapeutic Play programme
as a part time student in 2011.
She had no undergraduate
degree and entered via the
non-graduate route based
on her extensive experience
of working with children as a
play professional at Morriston
Hospital. Her dedication,
commitment and enthusiasm
has meant that Lisa excelled in
all elements of the programme
and was consistently one of our
highest achieving students.
“I was fortunate enough to
spend time with Lisa on the
ward at Morriston which gave
me first hand insight into the
exceptional work she does
as a Developmental and
Therapeutic Play Specialist at
the hospital. Not only does
Lisa’s work have a profound
impact on the lives of the
children with whom she works,
but also, on the lives of the
parents and carers who she
tirelessly makes time for in her
busy schedule.”
Lisa Morgan

Graduation Newsletter 2015
From Saudi to Swansea – Friyal celebrates PhD success
It was a special journey back to
Swansea this week for Friyal Al-
Qahtani, who returned from her
home country of the Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia (KSA) to receive
her PhD degree from Swansea
University.
Friyal, aged 35, from Dammam
travelled with her husband,
Dr Mohammed Al Dossary,
to attend the Graduation
Congregation for the College of
Human and Health Sciences.
Friyal completed her MSc Public
Health and Health Promotion
at the College of Human and
Health Sciences in 2009. It
was during her MSc studies
she developed an appetite for
research in order to inform her
role as a lecturer in Nursing in
KSA. Friyal then chose to pursue
a PhD and gained a scholarship
from the KSA government to do
so.
Professor Deborah Fitzsimmons,
Academic Director of the
College’s Swansea Centre for
Friyal Al-Qahtani
Health Economics and one of
Friyal’s PhD supervisors, said:
“Friyal chose a challenging
health topic to research for her
PhD, focused on improving
knowledge skills and attitudes
of nursing students in KSA to the
care of patients with Hepatitis B
and C, through delivery of an
educational programme.
“She set up an ambitious
mixed-methods study, using
a randomised controlled trial
and qualitative interviews to
establish the effectiveness of her
programme.”
Friyal began her research studies
in 2009 and following maternity
leave to have her first son, she
returned to Swansea to continue
her studies. And after Friyal
had her second son, she again
returned to Swansea to continue
her studies, all while juggling a
young family.
Dr Jayne Cutter, Senior Lecturer
and one of Friyal’s PhD
supervisors, said: “Friyal dealt
with research challenges with
aplomb – from gaining access
from her home University to
conduct the study, through to
the challenges of recruiting
students to take part.
“Her tenacity, passion,
and commitment to
her research shone
throughout, even when
facing the difficulties
associated with
completing a fulltime
PhD – and not
least with a young
family to support
at the same
time.”
Friyal submitted her PhD, entitled
‘The impact of a structured
education package on student
nurses’ knowledge attitudes and
reported practice regarding HBV/
HCV transmission and standard
precautions at a nursing College
in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’,
in May 2014 and her viva (thesis
defence) took place in July
2014.
Dr Cutter continued: “Friyal
was awarded a PhD with no
corrections – a rare occurrence.
She also impressed her internal
examiner, Dr Ruth Davies, with
her in depth answers to every
question, her passion about the
topic and her confidence.”
Friyal returned home to KSA
after completing her PhD, to
return to her role as an assistant
professor for undergraduate and
postgraduate students, and also
as head of community health
nursing department, chairperson
of accreditation area 11 and
head of community services
department at the College of
Nursing, University of Dammam,
in KSA.
Professor Deborah Fitzsimmons
added: “We already know that
Friyal is making a difference to
nursing education through her
research-led, practice driven
approach which she championed
throughout her PhD and
continues into her post-doctoral
career.
“We have no doubt Friyal will be
instrumental in developing nurse
education in KSA and Dr Jayne
Cutter and I are privileged to
have been her supervisors.”

Graduation Newsletter 2015
Josie’s PhD Dream Comes True
Josie Henley-Einion,
from Cardiff, is today
graduating from Swansea
University’s College
of Human and Health
Sciences with a PhD in
Dreams, Learning and
Memory.
Her thesis, entitled ‘The timecourse
of memory consolidation
during sleep: Evidence from
delayed incorporations into
dreams’ studied and confirmed
an effect that was widely doubted
by researchers around the world.
Professor Mark Blagrove, Head
of the Department of Psychology,
was Josie’s supervisor.
He said: “The effect that
Josie studied was the delayed
incorporation of events into
dreams, in which events are
more likely to show up in dreams
the night after they occur, and
then 5-7 nights after they occur.
“Josie conducted a wonderful
study, which confirmed the
effect, publishing this in the
journal Consciousness and
Cognition, backing the argument
that dream imagery shows the
memory processing that the
brain is doing during sleep.
“A second publication followed
in the prestigious journal PLoS
ONE, showing that this delayed
incorporation of events into
dreams occurs for Rapid Eye
Movement sleep dreams, but
not dreams from other stages of
sleep. These results suggest that
dreams are the experience of
memory processing during sleep.
“Finally, Josie did a further
unique and original study
investigating why some people
seem to have more references to
their waking life in their dreams
than other people. This was
published in a journal in 2014.”
Following the results of Josie’s
first PhD experiment her
supervisor applied for, and
was awarded, a grant from the
Economic and Social Research
Council on the subject of dream
content reflecting memory
consolidation across several
nights of sleep. The work funded
by the award was very successful.
Professor Blagrove concluded:
“Until Josie did her PhD the
delayed incorporation of waking
life events into dreams was
widely disbelieved. The validity
and importance of this effect are
now recognised world-wide and
her two papers on the effect are
highly cited. We are closer to
knowing what the brain is doing
during sleep.”
Josie Henley-Einion
“Josie
conducted
a wonderful
study.”
- Prof. Mark Blagrove

Graduation Newsletter 2015
Here, Josie explains why she chose to undertake a
PhD and what she has achieved from it…
What did you do prior
to studying at Swansea
University
“It’s been a long journey!
I originally studied as an
undergraduate, joint honours
Psychology and Linguistics
in Bangor University, and
graduated in 1992. After this
I worked as a researcher and
considered a PhD but couldn’t
settle on a topic. I worked in
care and teaching Psychology at
Further Education level, and then
as a computer programer. I was
working in the Heath Hospital
in Cardiff in the Research and
Development Department when I
applied to Swansea.”
Why did you choose
to study at Swansea
University
“I was looking for a funded PhD
on www.jobs.ac.uk. The Swansea
PhD researching dreams and
memory really stood out to me
as being a fascinating topic. I
was attracted to Swansea as the
university has a good reputation
for Psychology, and especially
dreams as there is a dream lab
and a lot of research goes on
there. I was very excited to be
accepted.”
Can you tell us about your
course
“With a research PhD it’s not
a taught course, so it’s quite
self-directed which can be very
daunting. Luckily I had a good
supervisor, who is the head of
the department: so no pressure!
In the first year I ran a study
that started out as a replication
of a previous study in the area,
but as we changed some of
the parameters it ended up
being quite new and we had
a publication from early on,
which was very motivating. In
the second year I was working
on my thesis and got involved
in a collaboration with others
that was based in the sleep lab,
several publications came out of
this. I also attended a conference
in the Netherlands and presented
the findings of the first study.
In the third year I developed a
new study and there were some
significant results. It was all quite
exciting and good to be involved
in.”
What part of the course did
you enjoy the most
“It sounds odd but I love
statistics! I also enjoy networking,
so conferences and seminars,
meetings and talks. I like to meet
other researchers and academics
and listen to them talk about
their research. I’m interested in
so many different areas in health
and social care, social sciences,
politics, economics, I can find a
common interest with anyone I
meet!”
What are your plans/hopes
for the future
“I’d really like to find an
academic job. At the moment
I’m working in mental health
which is a related area, but I
would like to work in a research
position where I feel my
academic skills are put to good
use.”
How will your qualification
help your career
“A lot of research posts ask for
a PhD or near to completion, so
having already got my PhD will
put me in a good position. It is
evidence that I’m determined
and can see a project through,
as it’s such a hard slog and
there’s a high attrition rate in
PhDs.”
Would you recommend
Swansea University to
other students
“Yes, definitely. The location is
amazing, right on the beach
and it’s beautiful in any season.
In terms of the reputation of
the University for teaching and
research, that’s also a high
recommendation, and the
Swansea nightlife is good too!
It’s quite a multicultural area but
with a very Welsh foundation,
and there are a lot of interesting
places surrounding the area.”
What advice would
you give to students
considering postgraduate
study
“Have a good think about what
it is you want to study, as you’ll
be doing it for a long time, and
you’ll be alone for a lot of it
even with a supervisor. Maybe
take some time out between
undergraduate and postgraduate
if you’re not already a mature
student, because some work
experience will help you to find
your niche, as well as giving
you skills to fall back on if you
don’t find a job immediately
following the PhD. Treat it as a
journey with many interesting
points along the way, so you
enjoy the process, rather than
focussing on the product
because at the beginning that’s
a long way away. Best of all,
remember to enjoy it, as it’s a
great opportunity, especially in
a funded PhD – you are getting
paid to do what you love!”

Graduation Newsletter 2015
Postgraduate Success for Personal
Trainer and Health Advisor
Nicole Claudine Hopkins,
originally from Droitwich,
Worcestershire has today
graduated with an MSc
in Long Term and Chronic
Conditions Management.
After spending 25 years in
banking, finance and insurance,
Nicole decided her passion lay
elsewhere. She had long been
interested in maintaining health
through exercise and elected to
further her knowledge in that
field.
After applying to Swansea
University and beginning her
Master’s studies at the College
of Human and Health Sciences,
Nicole began to understand
the struggle of keeping active
while suffering with a chronic
condition.
She said: “The course gave me
an in-depth look into the life
experience of people suffering
from one or more chronic
conditions.
“During my studies I developed
a strong interest in the
management of chronic
conditions using exercise, and
the need to stay fit to manage
ageing effectively.”
“We had the opportunity to
meet researchers and physicians
who focus on the medical side
of chronic conditions. It was
very interesting to have insight
into cutting edge research.
Furthermore, we met service
users who gave us, with candour,
an incredible insight into their
day to day lives living with a
chronic condition.”
Nicole felt that her
multidisciplinary cohort
and guest speakers
aided her studies:
“During my time at
Swansea University
I have had the
pleasure to study
with nurses,
physiotherapists
and
occupational
therapists who
were not shy at sharing
their experience and knowledge
working with patients. This
experience was valuable for
me to understand patients’
experiences with chronic illness.
It is important to stress that even
without a medical background I
never felt out of place and had
everything to gain.
“My highlight was that I had the
incredible privilege to meet tutors
and guest speakers who were
passionate about their subject.
Additionally every tutor was there
for me if I had a question. Their
guidance and their need for us
to do well was a precious asset
in achieving my MSc.”
Nicole concluded: “My MSc will
be a valuable asset to guide
people suffering from one or
more chronic conditions to keep
physically active for as long as
possible.
“At the moment I work as a
Personal Trainer and Health
Advisor for a not-for-profit
business which reinvests all its
profits in gyms, medical centres,
hospitals and expert staff.”
Nicole Hopkins
Tessa Watts, Programme
Manager for the Long
Term and Chronic
Conditions Master’s
course said:
“I am delighted with Nicole’s
success which is very well
deserved. From the outset
it was clear that Nicole was
highly motivated and hardworking.
It has been a pleasure
to work with her and observe
her develop her understandings
of chronic illness and her
academic ability.
“I have no doubts that she will
make a significant difference
to improving health and
well-being for people living
with long term and chronic
conditions in her new and
exciting role as a health
advisor. I would like to wish her
every success with this: good
luck Nicole.”

Graduation Newsletter 2015
HALL OF FAME
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