Dawn proves she has all the right ingredients for success

Tackling a degree as a mature student can be daunting, but for University of Chester graduate Dawn Clarkson, it was a challenge that saw her thrive.

The 56-year-old studied Human Nutrition and during her degree was shortlisted for a community award, became Vice-President of the University’s Nutrition Society and earned a work placement which has led to a position where she uses her skills to help those most in need.

As a member of the University’s Nutrition Society, Dawn, who lives in Kelsall, helped launch the Chester Healthy Eating Workshops (CHEW) project, which provided weekly cooking sessions for the homeless community in supported accommodation, as one of the student-led projects managed by the University’s Volunteering and Mentoring Team. (The project has been shortlisted for an Educate North Award.)

She also undertook a work placement with Ellesmere Port Community Interest Company Healthbox, building links with local food banks, an experience that inspired her dissertation subject.

“As a result of my contacts and work with food banks, this motivated me to write my dissertation project about food bank parcels – making meals and nutritionally analysing them,” Dawn explained.

“While writing my dissertation I became aware of the deep impact that austerity measures have had on individuals and the increasing need for food bank use.”

Her University experiences have since led Dawn to gaining the position of Community Food Co-ordinator with Cheshire Food Hub, a post which sees her liaise with food groups, both already in existence and those set up recently as a result of COVID-19.

“I find out what need there is out there, how the Food Hub can assist these groups and collect information to help organisations such as Feeding Britain to influence decision making, or even policy changes, going forward,” she said.

“Most recently, I’ve been helping arrange FareShare food deliveries to food groups as well as planning food boxes for families with children entitled to free school meals, via the Edsential project*.”

As for the student experience, Dawn says she loved every moment of her time at University.

“I enjoyed the challenge of pushing myself, being out of my comfort zone and learning in detail about a subject I have been interested in for years,” she said.

“My biggest challenge was my age. Having been out of education for almost four decades, I was unsure whether I would be able to step up to the necessary mark and whether I could take in so much information, process it and write academically or scientifically. But I received a lot of support and reassurance from my tutors which helped enormously.

“I have left University with friends who are 21 years old as well as other mature students. I have made some great, and hopefully long-lasting, relationships with other students.

“I think we benefited from each other’s strengths and weaknesses - younger students appreciating my experience and wisdom and me appreciating their technical ability, recent knowledge and self-confidence. They are a very special bunch of lovely students.”

Seóna Dunne, Lecturer in Nutrition and Health in the Department of Clinical Sciences and Nutrition at the University of Chester, said: “Dawn has been a very active student during her time at the University of Chester. Her time volunteering, dedication to her studies, combined with her passion for nutrition and supporting the local community has supported Dawn in her new job role, as well as being a model ‘Citizen Student’. We’re so proud that Dawn has taken every opportunity available to her, both through her Human Nutrition course within the Department, but also through the University itself. Congratulations to Dawn on her new job and I wish her the very best of luck in it.”

Jo Morison, Volunteering and Mentoring Project Officer at the University, added: “We are so pleased (and not surprised!) that Dawn has continued to succeed in her career after completing her course. Dawn has really demonstrated the value of student volunteering, making a positive impact on the local community during her studies whilst also taking the opportunity to develop her skills for her future career. We wish her all the best for her new role.”

Dawn now hopes to start a Master’s degree or PGDip in Nutritional Practice or Clinical Nutrition with a view to becoming a Nutritional Therapist, specialising in chronic conditions.

Pictured -  Dawn Clarkson has thoroughly enjoyed her return to academia as a mature student.