51Âþ»­

Running and expanding the student sexual health service at 51Âþ»­ Leicester (51Âþ»­) is graduate Lesley Spencer's proudest achievement.

Lesley won the De Montfort Students' Union (DSU) Volunteer of the Award for her efforts - and also landed a job as a registered staff nurse while still studying.

Graduating this month with a 2:1, Lesley has already started her role on the Surgical Admissions Unit of the Urology department at Leicester General Hospital.

She said: "It's a brilliant ward to start on because there are so many core skills to get to grips with.

"Nursing is physically, emotionally and mentally exhausting but the feeling at the end is euphoric. You see people at their lowest and you are getting them through it and this is a very privileged position to be in."

The 25-year-old is also continuing to support the DSU sexual health service, which she volunteered to run in her second year.

She said: "The service existed but I wondered why more people didn't know about it.

"This is the first time people are away from home, so I thought it was important for students to have access to free, confidential help.

"I took on a bit more than most student nurses do. I really enjoyed getting involved in the student union and volunteering."

Lesley expanded the service significantly, and worked single-handedly to create links with local charities and NHS-run services. She led health fairs within the Leicestershire community, and held fundraising events to help develop and improve resources, with the DSU student volunteer award an acknowledgement of her achievements.

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She said: "I am very proud. It's my little baby and I love it. I was delighted but surprised to win the DSU award."

Lesley originally chose to study nursing because she wanted to make a difference.

She said: "I was a hotel manager, but I needed something more. I thought if I didn't get into studying now I never would."

Lesley describes the training she received on her course as "brilliant".

She said: "The support at 51Âþ»­ was phenomenal. Having a wide variety of placements - including one on the ward I now work on - makes you adaptable and is invaluable experience."

Receiving three job offers in her final year, Lesley accepted the role in Urology to gain the experience she needs to apply for a more specific role in sexual health.

She added: "It's not common practice to walk into this area straightaway. I want to come back to 51Âþ»­ for post-registration sexual health modules."

Nicola Brooks, Senior Lecturer in Adult Nursing, says Lesley's success is well deserved.

She said: "Lesley is a shining star.

"She doesn't shout about what she does. She embraced the idea and has gone with it and achieved so much."