1. Mr. Christopher Graham Sparks
12 Beresford Park, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear, SR2 7JU.
Mobile: 07791764991
Email: Chris.Sparks.11@hotmail.com
Professional Profile
Throughout my time studying mental health nursing, my passion for the subject has been enhanced through experiences
whilst in practice. Reflecting on my time so far in higher education, I feel that I have a lot to contribute within the field of
nursing, with my own career ambitions and aspirations fuelling my academic work. Mental health nursing is a profession
that has become a passion of mine through personal experience, subsequently leading to my pursuit of a career in the
field. I hope to increase my knowledge base within mental health nursing by reflecting on my time in practice thus far in
the hope that I can enhance my skills and inform my future practice and professional development. In regards to career
aspirations, I hope to work my way up the hierarchy into management positions, as I feel that I could make a difference
with my management skills, in the hope that I can develop my knowledge base from novice to expert.
I have a great passion for English Language with my interest and enjoyment for writing leading me to voluntarily running
my own blog. Over the past year, my blog has almost 1,000,000 page views which has had an adverse positive effect on
my academic writing. I am also looking forward to the opportunity to practice within a different NHS trust and area, having
never left Tyne and Wear for academic purposes. During my time at Northumbria University studying Mental Health
Nursing, I have crafted my skills through academic study and practical work. Whilst on placement I have gained
experience within acute settings, community teams, PICU wards and the EIP team within Tyne and Wear.
I am a committed and driven BSc Mental Health Nursing Graduate with a sound understanding of the subject who utilises
sound organisation and planning skills to deliver assignments and good practice within set timeframes and to a high
quality. I pride myself on being a focused and passionate individual who has the ambition to make a difference within
mental health and nursing services across the United Kingdom.
Education and Qualifications
BSc Nursing Studies – Mental Health (Northumbria University). 2013-2016
A Levels x 3 Business Studies, Information and Communication Technology and level 3 BTEC in Health and
Social Care (Sunderland High School 6th
Form & City of Sunderland College). 2009-2013
GCSEs x 10 English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geography,
History, Business Studies and Information and Communication Technology (Argyle House
School). 2006-2009
Associated Experience
January 2012 – April 2015. Support Worker, Ashwood Court, Executive Care Group.
My time as a support worker has gave me a lot of experience, providing me with insight into the varying needs of service
users who display mental health and psychological issues. Throughout all of my practice, my named mentor’s and other
staff members have praised me on my excellent communication skills and my holistic, person-centred approach towards
all service users, building therapeutic relationships and maintaining dignity and respect at all times.
I have also been commended for my documenting skills and critical thinking both in my assignments and in clinical
practice. I am aware of the importance of documentation and have gained a lot of skills such as developing and
amending care plans, core clinical documentation, FACE risk profiles and incident report forms, maintain the
confidentiality of the patient at all times.
September 2013 – August 2016. Student Nurse, NHS.
My time as a student nurse has given me vast experience working collaboratively with multiple agencies and
professionals such as working with the police during my time with the Early Intervention in Psychosis Team, and working
closely with consultant psychiatrists within an acute ward setting. In regards to leading and managing care and teams, I
have had experience with coordinating shifts on a busy ward environment, task delegation and also offering advice and
guidance to other student nurses, learning how to prioritise tasks effectively. I also have developed a knowledge base
suited around safeguarding, clustering, mental health legislation and risk management.
I am a highly motivated and passionate individual who prides himself on being approachable and trustworthy. My aim is
to advance my practice through higher education, using my positive attitude and open mind to become an asset to any
team. My knowledge and skills I have developed are transferable between academic work and practice, taking my
responsibilities seriously and not taking my role within health care for granted.
Other Experience
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2. May 2015 – August 2016. Editor, Fresh Press UK.
I currently run my own football blogging site named ‘Read Sunderland’, and have done for almost 18 months. During this
time the site has received close to one million page views, with my own personal tally reaching almost 500,000. My
responsibilities include, running the website, social media, editing content, writing content and managing a small team of
writers.
July 2009 – December 2012. Bar staff, Sunderland Stadium of Light, Lindley Catering.
My time at the Stadium of Light allowed me to gain valuable experience at a young age in working for my own money. I
was responsible for serving alcohol in the corporate suites, teaching me invaluable communication and interpersonal
skills.
Key I.T. Skills
 Microsoft Office  Apple Mac OS
As a student, I was able to enhance my skills with IT software and was able to learn new applications easily. I was able to
use these skills to my benefit during my practice placements at university, aiding me with documentation.
Other / Personal Details
Interests include: I enjoy spending time with my friends and family and particularly caring for my elderly
grandparents. When I am not working I volunteer for a football website, writing for both Read
Sunderland and Roker Report. I also like to go to the gym and play tennis although I don’t play as
much as I would like.
References
John Salkeld
Senior Lecturer at Northumbria University
John.Salkeld@northumbria.ac.uk
0191 2156264
Ste Hoare
Content Manager at Fresh Press UK
ste@freshpressuk.com
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