• Skip to navigation
  • Skip to content
Ulster University logo Return to Ulster University homepage
  • Global students – Resources for Ulster University International Students
  • Staff Links – Resources for Ulster University staff
  • Student Guide - The Student Guide to Ulster
  • Portal - for Ulster University
  • Find staff & Departments – search and browse Ulster’s staff directory
  • News – for Ulster University
  • Events – for Ulster University
  • Home - Ulster University website homepage
  • Study at Ulster University

    Study options

    • Study in Northern Ireland
    • Undergraduate study options
    • Postgraduate study options
    • Postgraduate Research/ PhD
    • Short courses and CPD
    • Part-time Undergraduate study options
    • Part-time study options
    • eLearning study at Ulster University

    Courses

    • Search for courses
    • A to Z 2023/24
    • A to Z 2022/23

    More information

    • Entrance requirements
    • Equivalence of qualifications
    • Your rights and obligations
    • International students
    • Further education students
    • Associate students
  • Campus Life at Ulster University

    Campus Life

    • Campuses
    • Accommodation - Residential Services
    • Sport Services
    • Students' Union UUSU
    • All Ulster University Events

    Support

    • Student Guide
    • Student Wellbeing
    • Digital Services
    • Library

    Careers and Opportunities

    • Employability and Careers
    • Go Global
    • Science Shop
    • Student Enterprise
  • Research & Impact

    Research & Impact

    • Our research
    • Collaboration and Innovation
    • Work with us
    • Our Research Topics
    • Our Research Teams

    PhD/Research degrees

    • Funded & Self Funded PhDs
    • Postgraduate Research Programmes
    • How to apply for PhD Research
    • Funding for Phd's
    • Contact the Doctoral College

    More information

    • PURE - research portal
    • REF 2021 (Research Excellence Framework)
    • Policies and Procedures
  • Business themed areas of Ulster University

    Work with Us

    • Recruit top talent
    • Business School student placements
    • Scholarships, sponsorships and corporate giving
    • Upskill courses by Sector

    Business Engagement

    • Build a course
    • Executive Education Courses
    • Apprenticeship Hub
    • Business leader Peer Mentoring
    • Postgraduate short courses

    Research Expertise

    • Work with us
    • Funding opportunities
    • Innovation Ulster Ltd
    • Case studies
    • Meet the team

    Further Information

    • Market information
    • Hire one of our venues
  • Graduates of Ulster University
  • Home - Go to homepage
  • Study Options at Ulster University
  • Find a course at Ulster University
  • Campus Life
  • Research & Impact at Ulster University
  • Business at Ulster University
  • Graduates - find out about Alumni and Supporters at Ulster University
  • Global Students – become part of our global community at Ulster University

  • Student Guide
  • Staff Links – Resources for Ulster University staff
  • Find staff & Departments – search and browse Ulster’s staff directory
  • Portal – customise and access your online services

  •   Twitter account for Ulster University
  •   Facebook account for Ulster University
  •   YouTube account for Ulster University
Ulster University
  • Search
  • Link for Ulster University
  • Link for News
  • Link for 2019
  • Link for July
1 July 2019

Ulster graduate already making a difference to stroke survivors in NI

Ulster graduate already making a difference to stroke survivors in NI

Inspirational student Rebekah Davison from Magherafelt, Co. Londonderry graduates from Ulster University today with a first class honours degree in Psychology.

A dedicated volunteer with NI Chest, Heart and Stroke (NICHS) she actively sought a placement with the charity, igniting a passion and research interest that has led to her receiving the coveted Diana Award.

With ambitions to work in healthcare from an early age Rebekah undertook a work placement in Antrim Area Hospital,

“I quickly realised that being a nurse and being extremely squeamish was not a good mix.”

Undeterred this led her to discover her real interest was in the human brain and understanding why we do what we do.  With this realisation came the decision to enrol at Ulster to study Psychology.

A major draw to applying to the University for Rebekah was the opportunity to take on a placement year. Keen to understand the effects of stroke first hand, after studying research articles as part of her degree, she reached out to NICHS for volunteering experience.  Two and half years later she is still an active and selfless volunteer with the charity working within the PREP programme - a post-rehab exercise programme for stroke survivors. Speaking of her experience Rebekah said,

“Seeing the effects of stroke breaks my heart, but it is also so amazing to watch patients progress through recovery, it is extremely rewarding to be a part of their stroke journey.”

In spite of caring responsibilities for her family and balancing her university studies, Rebekah is dedicated to putting the needs of others before herself which led her to receiving the Diana Award in Stormont last month.  Established in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, the award is the most prestigious accolade a young person aged 9-25 years can receive for their social action or humanitarian work.  Already a passionate ambassador, fundraiser and supporter within NICHS Rebekah has her sights set on making even more of an impact.  Having recently presented her dissertation research on the stroke caregiver experience in Northern Ireland at the NI Stroke conference her long term ambition is to improve the support services for caregivers. Rebekah will be investigating the effects of exercise on stroke patient recovery - the subject of her PhD research as she continues her studies at Ulster.

“Working with stroke patients every week has given me a passion to better the stroke services in Northern Ireland and make a positive difference to the lives of those who are affected by stroke. Stroke is devastating, not only for the stroke survivor but for their family.  I have had the opportunity to work with family caregivers throughout my journey as a volunteer. I resonate with them as my mum is a primary caregiver for my Granda who has dementia, and I know how difficult that can be at times.”

For many achieving a degree, let alone a first class honours, is a major accomplishment.  The fact that Rebekah was able to achieve this on top of volunteering with NICHS and Dementia Care whilst achieving a distinction in her placement is truly admirable.  Combining her passion, brains and caring nature she is a true inspiration to young people and how they can help make a difference in our society.


Share Article:
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn

Related Topics

Find out more about ColeraineFind out more about Faculty - Life and Health SciencesFind out more about School of PsychologyFind out more about Institute of Mental Health SciencesFind out more about AlumniFind out more about Graduation

Related news

  1. Tue 24 May 2022

    New heart disease research could reduce hospital waiting times by 100,000 hours per year

  2. Thu 12 May 2022

    Ulster University recognised for its research with impact

  3. Thu 10 Feb 2022

    Ulster University and Canary Speech build innovative partnership

Elsewhere on Ulster

Faculty of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment

Faculty of Life and Health Sciences

Ulster University Business School- Faculty

Courses & Research

  • Search for courses
  • Undergraduate courses at Ulster University
  • Postgraduate courses at Ulster University
  • Part-time courses at Ulster University
  • Short courses & CPD at Ulster University
  • Study online at Ulster University
  • Research & Impact
  • Doctoral College
  • PURE Research Portal

Campus locations

  • Belfast campus
  • Coleraine campus
  • Jordanstown campus
  • Magee campus
  • London and Birmingham
  • Qatar

Campus facilities

  • Residential Services / Accommodation
  • Sports Services - Memberships and Facilities
  • Library Services and resources supporting learning, teaching and research at the University

About The University

  • About Ulster University
  • Contact Details
  • Job opportunities
  • Key calendar dates
  • Faculties at Ulster University
  • News - Ulster University
  • Events - Ulster University

Other sites

  • Alumni & Supporters
  • Confucius Institute
  • Get advice from Employability and Careers
  • Finance Department
  • Flexible Education
  • Digital Services - computing, digital and media services
  • People & Culture
  • Student Wellbeing
  • Sustainability

Ulster University social

@StudyAtUlster Follow us on Twitter @UlsterUni Follow us on Twitter
/studyatulster /ulsteruniversity
/StudyAtUlster /UlsterUniversity
/ulsteruni
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Statements
  • Copyright
  • Freedom of Information
  • Modern Slavery Statement

© Copyright Ulster University 2022.

Ulster University is registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (NIC100166).