The University celebrated its inspirational teaching, research supervision and outstanding student support earlier this year with the student-nominated Inspirational Teaching Awards. One award winner that day was Senior Lecturer, practicing nurse and alumna Patricia Day.

After qualifying as a nurse, she worked in acute adult care settings for several years before becoming a school nurse 20 years ago. She is a sexual health and mental health practitioner and runs a youth clinic once a week on Saturdays. She also has an honorary contract with Sheffield Children’s Hospital and supports teenagers with mental health issues in a secondary school.

On receiving the award for the second time, Pat said: “It felt amazing to be given this award. Nothing means more to me. Especially as it comes from the students whose comments in the nominations made me quite tearful really.

“It’s also interesting to see what students’ value in teaching, like a personal touch in terms of support and enabling them to really understand things. It’s really important to see things from their point of view. I came into this job to make a difference to students and to help them be able to make a difference in practice.

“For me, what makes Hallam different is its strength in vocational subjects. We are about jobs and community. We draw a lot from the community and from all parts of the community. With a diverse student population, Hallam supports students from all backgrounds and reflects the community it serves, embracing and giving opportunities to everyone.”