From the Gulf War to top of the class

International nurse Anand Matthews was selected by the Worcestershire Partnership NHS Mental Health Trust to complete the Nurses Adaptation Programme qualification at the university.

Anand obtained his UK qualification this autumn and will be drawing on the mental health nursing knowledge he gained in India, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait for the benefit of patients in Newtown Hospital, Worcester.

Anand's journey to England has shown remarkable dedication to his career.

"I qualified as a nurse in India and, after working in my home country for a few months, I spent two years as an independent nurse in Saudi Arabia," he said.

"From there, I moved to Kuwait for five years, where I was based with my wife Jasmin, who is also a nurse, and my daughter Alina, who was born in 2004.

"When war broke out, I found myself treating soldiers from all sides of the conflict, and also Kuwaiti residents. Many were suffering from a variety of depression and anxiety problems. It was a tense time for everyone.

"While I was working in Kuwait, I applied via the NHS Recruitment Board website to a request for mental health nurses to work in England. And after being selected for interview I had to fly back to India with my family to meet the NHS recruitment team.

"My application and interview proved a success and I moved to Worcester - and my wife Jasmin was also selected to work in Norwich as a general nurse.

"It meant that we had a journeys of more than 20 hours by train and bus each weekend to keep in touch. And due to work, travel and study commitments, we had to make the decision that our daughter would be better off in a stable base with my parents in India. We're all now happily reunited and have settled in Worcester and my wife Jasmin is now working at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

"I'm delighted at the training and support I've received from the university and trust. They've really helped myself and my family to settle down and adapt.

"Working for eight years and then to come back as a student was difficult, but it has been worth every minute. Worcester is an extremely friendly place. It seems a great city to be in.

Simon's made a

SIMON Heng is being recognised by the University of Worcester for his outstanding contribution to disability welfare in the city.

He was due to be awarded an honorary MA at this afternoon's graduation ceremony.

Simon was born and raised in Birmingham and graduated in psychology from Nottingham University, where he then worked as a counsellor with alcoholics.

Following a rare spinal disorder, he became a wheelchair user 11 years ago.

Simon has been active in disability issues for seven years, and played an important part in setting up the Worcestershire Association of Service Users. The association has been an important force in the planning and implementation of health services.

Simon has made a valued contribution to learning and teaching at the University of Worcester, through guest lectures and other sessions on a range of topics associated with disability. He has recently supported the university and its partner colleges in developing new ways of involving service users.

Simon is also a member of the Sensory Physically Impaired Network (SPIN), providing consultancy on disability issues. He was a key contributor

tributor to the development of a Service User Strategy for Worcestershire County Council's Social Services.

He writes a weekly column in Community Care magazine, highlighting disability issues.

In his spare time, Simon has also helped to set up and run the Wyre Forest Film Club.

University of Worcester vice-chancellor Professor David Green said: "Simon has played an instrumental role in raising disability awareness throughout the West Midlands. At the university, his expertise has proved invaluable in developing User Services involvement throughout our curriculum."

Hard work has finally

delivered a new career

MIDWIVES graduating from the University of Worcester this year will be making a real difference to the well-being of parents and babies across the two counties.

Delivering more than 40 babies is a prerequisite of the three-year degree course, with water births, home births and even deliveries in car parks just some of the scenarios that students faced in training.

The graduates have taken up placements in hospitals, clinics and Community Care facilities across Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Former secretary Sian James, from Stoke Prior, was just one of the successful graduates. She developed an interest in midwifery after giving birth to three children of her own.

After her three years at the university she is now working as a midwife at the Princess of Wales Community Hospital in Bromsgrove.

"I can remember asking the midwives lots of questions and becoming really interested in their work and wanting to do the same," she said.

"The course and teaching at the university has been excellent. It has been hard work but extremely enjoyable at the same time, and with the support of tutors and colleagues, we've achieved our goals."

Maria Saunders, from Birlingham, near Pershore, had worked with Worcestershire Social Services for 13 years and decided to change career into nursing. She is now working as a midwife at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch.

"I was involved in a range of placements during my time on the course, including in Intensive Care and the Premature Babies Unit, so the course and work experience gives you a really good grounding for hospital life."

Thirty-nine-year-old Marrianne Gough from, Cleobury Mortimer, Shropshire, was a former seamstress and is now working as a midwife at the Royal Hospital.

"After working as a seamstress, I became a healthcare assistant in a residential home and I decided from my experiences that I wanted to pursue a career in nursing," she said.

"It was difficult combining study with work and family life, but it has all been worth it. I've made lots of friends from my time studying and they're friends that I'll have for life."