University of Cumbria graduate helps drive plans to tackle rural health inequalities
A University of Cumbria graduate is helping drive efforts to reduce inequality in the region after writing her dissertation on a proposed mobile ‘health van’.
Shannon Holmes, who works at healthcare provider Cumbria Health, graduated with her BA (Hons) Applied Management degree this summer, marking an end to her Chartered Management Degree Apprenticeship.
In her final year, she produced a report assessing the feasibility of a health van operating across Cumbria.
It would travel to different communities, offering services such as health screenings and vaccinations.
“Cumbria’s quite a rural, sparse county and a lot of people don’t have equal access to healthcare,” said Shannon, who not only graduated but also gave birth to her first child during a “hectic” past few weeks.
“They can’t get a doctor’s appointment, they can’t even get to the doctor’s because there’s no public transport.
“We wanted to look at the idea of having a mobile health vehicle to go out and do health checks, health education and vaccinations – quick, easy healthcare things that you’d normally have to wait at the GP practice for.
“There’s elderly people who can’t drive, so if we had a health van that would travel around to different places, then everyone would have fair, equal access to healthcare.”
Image: Shannon Holmes (centre) with baby Finley, alongside course-mates (L-R) Georgina Keighley-King, James Peacock, Nina Albertelli and Sharon Middlemore
Cumbria Health’s ‘health van’ project is currently waiting for funding in order to get off the ground.
It was Shannon’s desire to help people that led her to focus on this innovative proposal.
“I’m just so passionate about helping people,” said Shannon, who was promoted to the role of business officer after completing her university assignments. “The fact that I can do something I’m really good at – business – and put it into practice in a healthcare environment trying to help people, I think it’s a really nice job and it’s really rewarding.”
Shannon, who is the first in her immediate family to attend university, studied at the Ambleside campus, which provided a long-but-scenic drive from her home in Carlisle.
She admits it was a challenging three years trying to juggle full-time work, university assignments and a social life.
“I was eight months pregnant completing my dissertation at the end, that was the hardest thing ever,” added Shannon.
But it was all worth it when she got to step out in front of a packed cathedral at graduation in July, watched on by her proud parents Zoe and Julian, brother Aaron and partner Dan.
Baby Finley – who arrived just two weeks before graduation day – was also in attendance.
“It was surreal graduating,” said Shannon. “I remember starting with my group three years ago and thought that we’d never make it!
“The fact that my name got called out and I got to walk out in front of everybody was the official ‘I’ve done it’ moment.”
Image: Shannon Holmes (front, middle) with her course-mates during their time with UoC
Reflecting on her time with the University of Cumbria, Shannon added: “It’s been absolutely amazing. I couldn’t ask for better tutors, help, the facilities available, the student support services, it’s just amazing.
“People who think they can’t do it, they definitely can with all the support and help that you can get. I don’t think people realise what’s available.”
Shannon is currently on maternity leave but plans to return to work next year, with her eyes set on becoming a business manager. She is also considering a master’s degree.
“Not right now, I’ve just finished three years and had a baby!”
Cumbria Health’s Phil Salmon, a senior business manager, was full of praise for Shannon.
“It has been brilliant having Shannon on board at Cumbria Health and seeing her confidence and skills develop over the time of her degree apprenticeship,” he said. “Shannon is really a key member of the team here and her passion to support our work tackling health inequalities all over Cumbria has been amazing.”
Are you interested in starting your journey with the University of Cumbria? You can find information about Clearing here: Clearing 2026 - University of Cumbria