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Double ‘booster’ for Gosport nursing student

A GOSPORT man who is training to be a nurse after studying in Southampton was recognised for his achievements at the City College’s annual awards evening on Wednesday, November 3.
Benjamin Sturgeon completed the Access to Higher Education (Nursing & Healthcare Professions) course at the college. And not only did the 28-year-old receive The University of Southampton Recognition Award at the event, he went on to win City College’s prestigious Adult Student of the Year Award as well.
​He said: “City College opened the doors of possibility and exposed me to different aspects of academia that I hadn’t considered beforehand. As an older student and going into a professional degree such as Nursing, I feel more equipped with skills like academic writing, referencing, and research.
‘We built a really strong support network’
“The learning environment is very supportive but still encourages you to get out and do your own work. I also made many new social connections which have been really fundamental to me after the awful time we’ve all had with the pandemic over the last two years”.
“As a class, along with Hambah our tutor, we built a really strong support network that for many of us has endured into our university careers. I’m incredibly pleased I chose City College for my Access Course and would certainly recommend it to anybody, particularly those whose goal is to learn how to learn following a long break.
“I am now undertaking a four-year MN Nursing Adult and Mental Health degree and finding different aspects of the nursing pathway that fascinate me. On my Access Course I did an independent study looking into the future implications of the growing awareness of transgender people. This included how it could affect long-
term care and what preparations providers should make to ensure that they are a welcoming and affirming place for any member of the LGBTQIA+ Community”.
“I would also very much like to do some work for an important group such as Macmillan Cancer Support, providing care for people at the hardest, saddest and most vulnerable times in their lives, and helping to make the final moments as peaceful and comfortable as possible”.
The college’s glamorous, Oscar-style event brought together students, staff and governors to celebrate the outstanding successes of more than 40 students, apprentices and to recognise staff contribution. Brilliant academic achievements, resilience and consistently going above and beyond were among the many reasons students had to be proud when they were honoured at the event.
Adult students, apprentices and 16-18 year-old full-time students all received awards on the night. Special awards were presented by the Chair of the Corporation, Geraint Davies, these included several staff excellence awards and the college’s prestigious Apprentice of the Year, Adult Student and Young Student of the Year.
City College Principal Sarah Stannard welcomed governors, students and their guests and expressed her immense pride in the successes of the college over the last 12 months and how pleased she was to be able to hold the Annual Awards ceremony in person again.
‘Commitment to the development of skills’
Sarah said: “Our Annual Awards is a fantastic event and we are delighted to be able to hold it in person this year. We are extremely proud of all of our students, apprentices and staff for their hard work, dedication and incredible achievements despite the challenges of working and learning through the pandemic”.
“I am also very grateful to all of our business sponsors who have supported these awards, their support demonstrates their commitment to the development of skills and knowledge in our students and apprentices. Well done to everyone receiving awards tonight.”
The evening gave current students at City College first-hand experience in organising and running a high-quality event and how to manage with coronavirus safety measures in place.
DOUBLE SUCCESS: Gosport’s Benjamin Sturgeon receives City College’s Adult Student of the Year Award from Chair of the Corporation Geraint Davies. Other photographs from the evening are available at https://we.tl/t-Ef1vjUaK3y