51Âþ»­

A Learning Disability Nursing student at 51Âþ»­ Leicester (51Âþ»­) was given a touching farewell on her last day of placement at an Age UK day care centre.

Sophie Pratt was treated to renditions of We'll Meet Again and Don't Cry For Me Argentina by pensioners.

She was then presented with a framed photo of the space-themed artwork she had helped them to create to take away - along with the new skills she developed.

"It was sweet and I was so grateful," said Sophie.

The first-year student said she learnt a lot about communication techniques, socialisation and promoting independence during her time at the day centre - despite initial reservations.

Sophie said: "My original placement fell through so I was given this one at the day centre for older people with learning disabilities.

"I was disheartened as there were no qualified nurses there to learn from - but I found out it's what you make it.

"I learnt a lot from service users and the hard work the staff put in."

Jillian Pawlyn, Senior Lecturer and Academic Lead for Learning Disability Nursing, said a student's first two placements offer opportunities to get to know a person who has a learning disability in an 'ordinary living' environment.

She said: "This means that the student is supervised by a senior member of staff within the environment who can facilitate the development of the student/service user relationship.

"We are really delighted with Sophie's achievement in her first placement and are pleased to be working with Age UK as a placement provider."

Sophie did observation and art therapy while on placement. She said: "I could see improvements in people and the strategies in place to help people live the most independent life they can."

Sophie's advice to fellow students is to throw yourself into every opportunity. "It's a reflection on you what you get out of it," she said.

This is 28-year-old Sophie's second experience of university, having originally studied Sport and Physical Education at the University of Bedfordshire. After graduating, she landed a job in Lanzarote at Club La Santa - a sports and active holiday resort.

"I loved it," Sophie said. "I was there for four years and it was a great lifestyle.

"But then I felt I wanted to do something more. I knew I wanted a caring sort of role, but wasn't sure what that role would be."

On returning to England, Sophie was offered a job with Accredo, a Midlands-based company providing support and social care services.

Sophie said: "I fell in love with working with young adults with learning disabilities, physical disabilities and autistic spectrum disorders."

This led Sophie to apply for 51Âþ»­'s Learning Disability Nursing course.

She said: "I came to the Open Day and was impressed by facilities such as the sensory room."

Sophie says the course has lived up to expectation. "It's really interesting," she said. "You learn all the same basics as nursing and then specialise.

"We're quite a small group and we interact well. I'm proud to be part of it.

"I feel I'm making a positive difference to people that is equal to the difference they make to you. I enjoy every single day."

Sophie is unsure what she wants to do when she graduates.

"There are so many different avenues open and you can work across the age range," she said.

Meanwhile, she is making good use of her existing qualifications by teaching fitness classes at the QEII Leisure Centre.