Third-year Adult Nursing student Olivia Rees, 24, won the Community Award category at the Cavell Nurses’ Trust awards for her dedication to Anglia Ruskin’s student nursing population and the wider community. She will receive a £1,500 travel scholarship, giving her the chance to gain experience abroad in her chosen field.
Last year Olivia volunteered with the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust and helped set up a student and community First Responder service, which trains volunteers to respond to emergency calls and help members of the local community.
She is also an active member of the Anglia Ruskin Students’ Union and is a representative for the Faculty of Health, Social Care and Education, and for her course.
Olivia, who grew up in Cambridge, said: “The Cavell Nurses’ Trust Award will allow me to fulfil a dream of mine to work with patients that have poor access to healthcare. I have been looking at placements in Nepal where, following the earthquakes last year, society as well as their healthcare infrastructure is still being rebuilt. It would be a fantastic opportunity to see how healthcare is delivered in a hospital with less resources, and to gain an insight into a completely new culture.
“My long-term career goal would be to work in humanitarian programmes as part of a Non-Governmental Organisation, and make a difference to the lives of the most vulnerable. This generous opportunity given to me by the Cavell Nurses’ Trust will bring me a step closer to achieving this.
“Studying at Anglia Ruskin has given me so many opportunities, including going to Botswana through the International Community Experience programme, and I have thoroughly enjoyed contributing to the student community in Cambridge.”
Olivia has been offered a job at Addenbrooke’s Hospital on completion of her course, where she will work within the Neurological Critical Care Unit.
Image: Award presentation - (L-R): Sally Gunnell, Olivia Rees, Simon Knighton
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For more press information please contact:
Jon Green on t: 01245 68 4717, e: jon.green@anglia.ac.uk
Jamie Forsyth on t: 01245 68 4716, e: jamie.forsyth@anglia.ac.uk
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