An ambulance technician from Swadlincote has been presented with a prestigious award from Birmingham University for his mentorship of his very first student paramedic.
Michael Brookes, 30, a Technician based at Swadlincote Station, became the mentor for a first-year paramedic student from Birmingham City University in April.
Michael was presented with a glass trophy, and a shield has been engraved with his name and will remain at the university.
The student had been struggling following a traumatic job and was on an action plan, but Michael worked hard to build her confidence back up and help her to pass her first year.
She was so impressed with Michael that she nominated him for the University’s Health and Social Care 2018 Student Nominated Practice Educator Award, which he was presented with at a ceremony last week.
In her citation, the student said: “Michael has provided me with stability, support with difficult concepts, provision of endless revision and resources, and he has booked shifts with other staff groups to further my development.
“I have no doubt that with the continued support of my placement practice educator I will progress beyond the first-year expectations.”
Michael explained that this was the first student he has ever mentored and that receiving the award had been a complete surprise.
He said: “It was such an honour to be nominated for the award, and it was just nice to be at the ceremony. It was such a shock when they announced me as the winner.
“It was as much of a learning experience for me as it was for her. I always wanted to be a mentor because everyone was so supportive when I joined the service and during my training and I wanted to give that back to new students.
“I am so proud of her – in her last few shifts I had no need to mentor her as she could do it.”
Michael will begin his own student paramedic course in January, but hopes to be a mentor again in the future.