Kingston University scoops London Higher Award for outstanding wellbeing support for nursing students

Posted Friday 7 June 2024

Deputy Head of School of Nursing, Allied and Public Health Andrea Cockett and student advocate Aisha Massawe picking up the award.

Kingston University has been crowned the winner of outstanding wellbeing support for students at the inaugural London Higher Awards.

The accolade was handed to the University's School of Nursing, Allied and Public Health during an award ceremony in central London to celebrate London Higher's 25th anniversary.

It recognises a London Higher member that has demonstrated exceptional support for students in London to ensure they can make the most of their higher education experience in the capital.

The School received the recognition for the successful roll-out of its new student advocate programme, which was set up to support students who are at risk of leaving their course. Using funding from NHS England, a student advocate member of staff was employed over 24 months, providing pastoral and academic support to students who have additional responsibilities or challenges, such as caring responsibilities and health and wellbeing problems.

The student advocate mirrors the role of the professional nurse advocate programme in the NHS, which delivers restorative supervision to colleagues and teams in nursing and beyond. The programme is the first of its kind for the nursing profession, not just in England, but across the world.

Kingston University's student advocate supported 16 students who were at high risk of leaving their course, providing a programme of pastoral support, supporting their wellbeing, and developing learning resources to aid their development of academic skills.

Deputy Head of School of Nursing, Allied and Public Health Andrea Cockett picked up the award at the ceremony with student advocate Aisha Massawe. Ms Cockett said receiving the award was testament to Aisha's dedication to the role.

"Aisha has demonstrated such care and compassion to the support she has provided," she said. "She has formed positive and therapeutic relationships helping to build trust and confidence – skills which are at the heart of the nursing profession. She has helped these students navigate any potential barriers and challenges they face, and successfully supported them to stay on track to complete their course."

Dr Diana Beech, CEO of London Higher commended Kingston University on its achievements. "Kingston University identified an at risk group on nursing programmes, and focused activity on how to support them to deliver results. The judges were particularly impressed with a small-scale initiative which has such a big impact," Dr Beech said.

Kingston University was also a finalist in the outstanding contribution to sustainability leadership category for the progress made in delivering its five-year institutional Sustainability Plan. An ambitious, inclusive, and community-based approach has enabled students and staff to see themselves as leaders and changemakers, proactively developing equitable and sustainable solutions for Kingston University and the wider community.

Categories: Staff, Students