University of Cumbria celebrates double success at awards

Its trail-blazing paramedic science degree apprenticeship scheme was named winner of the Widening Participation or Outreach Initiative of the Year.

Congratulations also go to Cumbrian peer Lord Bragg of Wigton, an Honorary Fellow of the university, who received the Outstanding Achievement Award.

The university’s paramedic science degree apprenticeship allows existing ambulance staff to upskill to become qualified, frontline paramedics within two years.

First University of Cumbria paramedic degree apprenticeship graduates celebrating in July 2023 (Image: University of Cumbria/Becker Photo Carlisle) Addressing significant workforce shortages, University of Cumbria is supporting seven of 11 English ambulance trusts to deliver the paramedic science degree apprenticeship. It is also expanding further to help Manx Care to offer similar opportunities to its staff on the Isle of Man. 

The judges said they were “so impressed by this project because it delivers for students, for the local community and for the NHS – it is win, win, win!” 

“In a strong category, the project shone through because of the clear success metrics, because of the focus on mature students as well as those with specific learning difficulties and because of the scalability,” the panel said. 

Associate professor in paramedicine Tom Davidson, director of the Centre of Excellence in Paramedic Practice at University of Cumbria, collected the award. 

Tom said: "We’re particularly proud about how the apprenticeship can have an impact on individuals who may’ve never had the opportunity to access university before. 

"It is wonderful to see how they are accessing and progressing in higher education through a non-traditional route, so many diverse backgrounds, and the success rate they are enjoying which all supports and contributes to the NHS workforce regionally and nationally."

Vice Chancellor Professor Julie Mennell DL said: "We are very proud of our paramedic staff, apprenticeship team and professional services colleagues who, working alongside practitioners and partners, provide the NHS with hundreds of paramedics each year, right across the country. This award is most deserved, recognising a fantastic collective effort, which helps to ensure that those in need of help, often at times of crisis, have the expert help and support they need."

: Lord Bragg, who is an Honorary Fellow of University of Cumbria, speaking at the 2024 the Awards (Image: University of Cumbria/Becker Photo Carlisle)

In addition, Lord Bragg of Wigton, who is an Honorary Fellow of the university, was the recipient of one of the top awards of the night. 

The Outstanding Achievement Award recognises Lord Bragg’s two and a half decades at the helm of BBC Radio 4’s In Our Time, which brings university expertise on topics spanning history, science, philosophy and religion to audiences around the globe.