England
Yorkshire & The Humber region
Helen Ballantyne, RCN Students Committee member
Email: helen_ballantyne@yahoo.com
Helen says: "I am currently in the first year of the postgraduate diploma in adult nursing at Sheffield Hallam University. As a qualified veterinary nurse with a degree in pharmacology, I have spent the last 10 years working in veterinary hospitals all over the world. I am thoroughly enjoying the transition to "human nursing" and university is better second time round. I study much more now! I am really excited about joining the RCN Students Committee and am looking forward to being involved in issues affecting student nurses."
Regional office
Phone: 0345 456 7869 / (0113 244 4725)
Fax: 0113 386 0552
Email: yorkshire.andhumberregion@rcn.org.uk
West Midlands region
Alexis Mackenzie-Slight, RCN Students Committee member
Email: alexis.rcn@gmail.com
Alexis says: "I am a third-year adult nursing student at Staffordshire University. I am based at the Shrewsbury campus in Shropshire and will be qualifying as a staff nurse this year. I am very happy to be serving a second year on the committee, and I hope that my previous experience will enable me to represent the student voice well. I look forward to meeting students at regional and national events to hear about your issues and experiences as students."
Regional office
Phone: 0345 772 6100
Fax: 0121 455 6270
Email: westmidlands.region@rcn.org.uk
East Midlands region
Gavin Wollacott, RCN Students Committee member
Email: gavin.wollacott@gmail.com
Gavin says: "I am a third-year adult branch nursing student at the University of Nottingham, with a long history of working within the NHS. As well as being a student nurse I am a maternity support worker within community maternity services.
During my three years I have been an active student information officer (SIO) within the East Midlands region and I am the newly-elected member of the RCN Students Committee.
As I am approaching my management placement and the completion of my training, my mind is focusing on the future and the areas of nursing that I would like to work in and at the moment I hope to work in burns and plastics, which I have developed a passion for during my course."
Regional office
Phone: 0345 772 6100
Fax: 0115 850 7668
Email: eastmidlands.region@rcn.org.uk
Northern region
Stephen Walton, RCN Students Committee member
Email: bigstevie1uk@hotmail.com
Stephen says: "Hi. My name is Steve Walton, I am a mature student, about to enter my third year of study in mental health nursing at Northumbria University in Newcastle upon Tyne. I worked as a support worker on mental health wards for nearly 15 years before deciding to make the change. I felt that it was time to stretch myself and push the boundaries of what I could contribute to the care and wellbeing of mental health patients. I loved my time as a support worker and intend to make the most of being a staff nurse."
Regional office
Phone: 0345 456 7871 / (01915115800)
Fax: 0191 511 5899
Email: northern.region@rcn.org.uk
London region
Gary Stockwell, RCN Students Committee member
Email: garystockwell@hotmail.com
Gary says: "Hi everyone. I’m Gary and I am currently a first year adult nursing student at Kingston and St George’s University. I came to nursing after having spent much of my previous life in the army where I developed a keen interest in providing medical care to those who were unfortunate enough to need it. This interest was further developed while I was an inpatient after having fractured my pelvis following a bad day of skydiving.
As the London representative of the student committee, I wish to extend you all an ever willing hand with any problems or issues you may have throughout your studies and hope that we are all able to support and enhance each other’s studies when needed. Please feel free to drop me an email - even if just to say hello."
Regional office
Phone: 0345 458 6968
Fax: 020 7841 3341
Email: london.region@rcn.org.uk
Eastern region
Jessica Curtis, RCN Students Committee member
Email: jessica.rcnstudents@gmail.com
Jess says: "Hi. I’m Jessica but everyone calls me Jess. I’m 20 and currently in my third year of child nursing at the University of Hertfordshire and I’m the Eastern representative for RCN Students. I’m passionate about nursing and student nursing and enjoy attending conferences and meetings about current affairs within nursing. Even though university keeps me busy, I still make time for my family and friends so I can have relaxation. You’ll probably find me when I get some spare time while at university or at Congress with my nose stuck in a book as being a children's nurse, I like to keep my imagination active. My main aim of being on the RCN Students Committee is to give the students from not only my area but nationwide a loud strong voice."
Regional office
Phone: 0345 456 7846 / (01284 763326)
Fax: 01284 723393
Email: eastern.region@rcn.org.uk
North West region
Joy Griffiths, RCN Students Committee member
Email: joy.rcnstudents@hotmail.co.uk
Joy says: "Hi. I'm Joy Griffiths, the RCN Students Committee representative for the North West. I am a newly qualified staff nurse working in intensive care. Being newly qualified has opened my eyes to what it is like as a staff nurse and how my student education has helped mould me into the nurse I am today and how much of it I use in practice. I have been on the committee for three terms now and throughout that time the student membership has helped shape nursing education, the student presence within the RCN and the public and professional bodies' perception of nursing education."
Regional office
Phone: 0345 456 7843 / (01204 531531)
Fax: 01204 552444
Email: northwest.region@rcn.org.uk
South East region
Jayne Parker, RCN Students Committee member
Email: jayne.rcn@gmail.com
Jayne says: "Hello, I’m Jayne. I’m a third-year adult branch student at the University of Brighton. I’m the South East representative on the RCN Students Committee as well as holding the student seat on the RCN South East Board. Starting my training was a complete change of direction having previously worked in software engineering. My course at Brighton has been a real challenge, but one that I have thoroughly enjoyed and now, approaching the end of the course, I’m considering where I want to work.
This is my second term on the RCN Students Committee, during which time I have gained a valuable insight into the larger field of nursing and how nurses can influence policy at both local and national level. I’m a strong advocate for nursing and newly qualified nurse education and I firmly believe in the values of diversity and inclusivity and the benefits of that for all concerned.
The south east is a huge area and it’s very difficult to maintain contact with all the students here. I would very much though welcome communications from all students to enable both your problems and your insights to be brought up at national level."
Regional offices
Newbury office
Phone: 0345 456 7832
Fax: 01635 232 820
Email: newbury.office@rcn.org.uk
Croydon office
Phone: 0345 456 7849
Fax: 020 8253 9101
Email: croydon.office@rcn.org.uk
South West region
Claire Jeeves, RCN Students Committee member
Email: clairejeeves@hotmail.co.uk
Claire says: "My name is Claire and I am a second-year student in the adult nursing branch at the University Of The West Of England in Bristol. I have a small background in nursing mostly involving domiciliary care. I am very passionate about nursing and have enjoyed my time on the course so far. I am very excited about the opportunities that lay ahead both as a student and as a registered nurse.
I have been involved with the role of peer assisted learning (PALs) leader at the university, which involves facilitating sessions where students struggling with aspects of the course can ask for help. Although challenging, this is a very enjoyable role and I have learned a lot from it.
Not only have I gained new skills but I have met many incredible people, both friends and colleagues that have changed my way of thinking and have enabled me to progress and develop into my future career."
Regional office
Phone: 0345 4567859
Fax: 01392 357045
Email: southwestern.region@rcn.org.uk