A former Kingsbridge Community College student has been named as ‘Rising Star of the Year’ at the Excellence in Nursing Awards.

Aaron Chandler, 25, went back to university after taking a break from education, and attended three years at Plymouth University before qualifying as a nurse in September 2016.

Aaron worked within the community as a newly-qualified nurse and in December 2017, was offered a position at a surgery in Paignton, something that Aaron says is “by far the best job he’s had”. Aaron quickly learnt his role within the surgery and was given a project to combine several care homes to be seen by one or two doctors or nurses, with the aim of saving costs within the community.

Aaron successfully secured the funding for the project to go ahead for a three-month trial, which was successful and it is currently in discussion to award another year of funding.

Due to his hard work on the project, and making it a success, one of the practice partners of the surgery nominated him for ‘Rising Star of the Year’ award, which is given to someone who has shown real talent and been qualified for less than five years.

Aaron was selected as one of two finalists, and then on Tuesday, May 15, he was invited to the awards ceremony at the Southgate Hotel in Exeter, where he was named the winner.

Aaron’s girlfriend, Tracy Allen, said: “It’s a great achievement to which Aaron is over the moon and his family and friends are extremely delighted and proud of him. Congratulations Aaron!”