Congratulations to our Class of 2019

Dozens of University Centre Grimsby graduates joined us at Grimsby Town Hall this week to celebrate during four special ceremonies.

We were delighted to welcome principal guests Ellie Monkhouse, Chief Nurse at Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust, and consultant and CEO Richard Askam.

Dozens of University Centre Grimsby graduates joined us at Grimsby Town Hall this week to celebrate during four special ceremonies.

We were delighted to welcome principal guests Ellie Monkhouse, Chief Nurse at Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust, and consultant and CEO Richard Askam.

There were also speeches by Chief Executive Gill Alton, Chair of Governors Erika Stoddart and Vice Principal Claire Foster.

Grace Meffen, who is registered blind, won the University Centre Grimsby Work Based Learning Award for Dedication in Practice, while her guide dog John also received a prize for outstanding dedication.

Grace, who is also type 1 diabetic, studied BA (Hons) Counselling Studies and now runs her own private practice while continuing to volunteer at Open Door.

“After having my son I realised that through all my personal trials and tribulations, if I have the strength to continue in a stereotypical lifestyle and create a family then I might be able to help other people who are struggling,” she said.

“UCG has been brilliant, I can’t fault it. When I started I felt I would be on the back foot compared to other students, but once I built my confidence I realised it was ok to ask for help. It’s ok to need help, and not because I’m registered blind. I’ve never felt like I’ve tried to be moulded to be the same as everyone else, we’re all celebrated for being different.”

Ellis Powell won the Outstanding Achievement Award for BA (Hons) Health and Social Care.

She said: “When I had my son I realised I wanted something a little more. I wanted to show him anyone can do anything so decided to do a degree in Health and Social Care, and now have a job working for North East Lincolnshire Council with children and young people.

“When you’re a mother things change and you realise there’s a bigger picture for everything, so I wanted to help those who maybe aren’t as fortunate as I was at the time. It’s just about giving something back.

“I’ve loved every single second of my time at UCG. It’s no ordinary uni because everyone always has so much time for you. There’s no question too silly or too small; people just go out of their way to try and help.”

Carrie Harris, who graduated with a Foundation Degree in Mental Health Studies (Nursing), won the NAViGO award for Excellence in the Study of Mental Health.

She commented: “I went through a really hard time at the start of the course, when my partner passed away unexpectedly. If someone had told me what I’d go through I never would have enrolled, but the staff were so supportive and really helped me get through it. I really felt like I belonged at UCG. I feel really shocked to have won this award but really proud too.”

Criminological Studies with Social Science graduate Hayley Stewart, who won the Dissertation Excellence Award, has inspired three of her four children to study at UCG.

“It’s inspired me so much, I’ve actually come back to do my PGCE. I’d fallen out of love with education a bit but my lecturers changed all of that.

“UCG is part of our community. We’re a small community but close knit, and by having a university centre it’s opened up education to older people as well as the younger generation, who will hopefully now stay in Grimsby and help build the town back up.”