futures APRIL 2009
futures14 RETRAINING
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
Joyce discovers the delights of computing
Changing people's minds
about mental health issues
A
UNIVERSITY of Cumbria
nursing student is raising
awareness of mental health
discrimination. Laura
Nicholson is stepping out of
the lecture theatre to help support a
new nationwide campaign to fight the
stigma faced by people with mental
health issues.
Laura first became aware of the Time to
Change campaign through one of the
modules on her BSc Mental Health
Nursing degree, which she is due to
complete in September.
She had to compare a contemporary
mental health issue from an international
perspective so she looked at Like Minds
Like Mine campaign in New Zealand and
Time to Change campaign in the UK.
From there, she became interested in
getting more involved and helping to raise
awareness of the UK campaign.
Laura said: "My work colleague Laura
Box and I are planning to educate young
people and we are arranging for mental
health professionals to go into schools and
raise awareness.
"We have got mental health
professionals who are willing to go into
schools and speak to students and
teachers about the issues.
"We are also trying to find a suitable
way to educate hospital staff and we are
pushing for mandatory training for all
health professionals."
Laura is planning events such as a
mile-long walk around Kendal to raise
awareness and she will be donating
children's books on mental health to some
primary schools.
Laura added: "I hope the project creates
a more `mental health friendly' society so
people can freely discuss mental health
issues without the fear of experiencing
stigma and discrimination from friends,
family, work and the general public."
Time to Change
(www.time-to-change.org.uk) is the UK's
biggest campaign to end discrimination
faced by people who have experienced
mental health problems.
I
T and computing has always been a
factor in Joyce Longcake's career. The
50-year-old worked as a project office
manager at Sellafield where, as part of her
role, she would use databases almost daily.
But after 18 years on the job, Joyce was
ready for a new challenge.
She took more of an interest in IT and
started developing a background of
qualifications and training.
But when she started a University of
Cumbria foundation degree course in IT
applications, little did Joyce expect to win a
top award for her efforts in learning.
"I won the award towards the end of last
year," Joyce said. "I was absolutely
delighted and really didn't expect to be
given such an accolade but it really spurred
me on to do more and gave me a love of
learning again.
"It also did wonders for my confidence. I
was a mature student and the only female
student in a class of 11, so who says `you
can't teach and old dog new tricks'."
Joyce, from Sunnyside, Seaton, won the
award from the North of England branch of
the British Computing Society for achieving
the highest marks in the first year of her
course.
Joyce's lecturers put her forward for the
award.
Computing lecturer Susan Millard, who is
based at the university's Fusehill Street
campus in Carlisle, said: "Joyce's award
recognition was well deserved.
"She and a fellow student competed all
year to achieve high grades, and by sheer
hard work Joyce came out top by a fraction
of a percentage point."
This recognition gave Joyce the drive she
needed to continue with her course.
"You have to enjoy IT and computing to
want to learn and train in it," Joyce said.
"You have to like doing it because when it
comes to learning or covering the areas you
don't like that much you still have to know
how to do it.
"Programming isn't my favourite topic
but I concentrated more on it because I
knew if I didn't I'd loose interest."
But IT and computing has always been an
interest of Joyce's, it developed as a hobby
of hers to a career focus.
She said: "After I left Sellafield I took a
European Computer Driving Licence course
but I found that too basic for me; I'd
already gained a bit of experience on
computers from my role at Sellafield so I
was looking to develop more on what I
already knew.
"After that I started to consider the other
side of IT and computing and I realise I
already had these basic skills so I might as
well teach them to others.
"I took a course which meant I could
teach the basics of IT. That eventually led
me a job at the training provider Rathbone.
"During my five years there I worked in
adult education � training adults and giving
them skills in IT and job searching.
"Unfortunately Rathbone lost the
contract for adult education and I left to
pursue education opportunities.
"I started a weekend course with the
University of Central Lancashire (UCLan)
which primarily focussed on website design.
"I was one of only a few mature students
on the course and it was then that I realised
I was capable of degree course and to just
go for it.
"It was very project based so it really
gave me the chance to develop my
confidence."
When Joyce completed her course she
began researching degree courses and
settled on the University of Cumbria's
foundation degree in IT applications.
After further enquiries, Joyce was told
she would be a perfect candidate for the
course following her previous experience
and general interest in IT.
She started in September 2007 and is
now in her second year of the full-time
course.
"I really enjoy it," Joyce added. "I'm
considering going on to do a third year
top-up course which would run for another
12 months.
"After that it's a case of a career in IT
either in systems analyst or database design
� I haven't ruled out becoming
self-employed either."
CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK: Computing
student Joyce Longcake has won an award for
achieving the highest marks
TIME TO CHANGE: Mental health nursing student Laura Nicholson is stepping out of the lecture theatre to help support a new nationwide campaign
to fight the stigma faced by people with mental health issues. She is pictured with Laura Box

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