National student nursing partnership award win for second year
The University of Bradford has won the Student Nursing Times Awards’ Partnership of the Year category for a second successive year.
This year’s award recognises the University’s Student Supported Services Model, a collaboration with the West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, developing student supported services that expand placements, support staff, and enhance patient care.
Vikki Carter, the University’s Director of Practice Education and Engagement, said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to receive Partnership of the Year at the Student Nursing Times Awards.
“This recognition is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and shared commitment across the system to deliver innovative, multi-professional practice learning experiences.”
More on the winning project
As part of the model, a Student Supported Services placement was introduced between April and June 2025 through a partnership with Bevan Community Health, offering the University’s nursing students experience in community healthcare settings.
The pilot project saw four students working alongside two health inclusion teams based in Bradford and Wakefield, completing the placement as part of their nursing qualification.
The project was designed to expand placement capacity in community services in an ethical, safe and supportive way, while encouraging greater interest among future health professionals in working outside traditional clinical environments.
It also aimed to strengthen understanding of inclusion health by supporting students to work directly with people from underserved and diverse communities.
Through practical experience, students gained a better understanding of the challenges faced by people from inclusion health groups and learned how to provide care that is respectful, compassionate and fair to everyone.
Vikki Carter, the University of Bradford’s Director of Practice Education and Engagement, with the Students Nursing Times’ Partnership of the Year award. Images credit: Vikki Carter
Last year’s winners
The University won last year’s Partnership of the Year category at the Student Nursing Times Awards for an innovative drug overdose training programme.
In collaboration with New Vision Bradford/Waythrough, the University became the first in the country to begin training all its student nurses in the use of naloxone, a life-saving medication which can reverse overdoses caused by opiates.
The University was also shortlisted for Student Placement of the Year: Community at this year’s Student Nursing Times Awards, following a successful pilot in which 12 Adult Nursing students completed placements at Townend Close care home in Cross Hills, but missed out on the top prize, at the ceremony held in London on Friday 24 April.
The award-winning Student Supported Services Model reinforces the University’s strategic priorities to put students first, widen access, and embrace innovation, preparing learners for modern healthcare through immersive, technology-enabled experiences.
Image caption (top of page): The University of Bradford’s Student Supported Services Model was crowned winner of the Partnership of the Year category at the Student Nursing Times Awards. Images credit: Vikki Carter