Sunny Mehan

Throughout my vast career in health and social care, I’ve worked in the NHS supporting people through bereavement, spent time as a telephone befriender for Beacon for the Blind, coordinated events for the National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS), mentored with CICS, and supported individuals at SENSE Day Centre and Belvidere Residential Care Home. Every role taught me something new about the power of communication, person-centred care, and the importance of safeguarding and advocating for those who need it most.

My experiences working and volunteering within the care industry feed directly into my teaching on the Health and Social Care degree at UCB. I love being able to share real stories and insights with my students, giving context to the theories and frameworks we cover in class. Our programme is designed so that students gain industry experience every year, and combined with insights from lecturers who’ve been there themselves, it makes the learning so much more meaningful. I’m proud that students often tell me how engaging and relevant they find my classes, and it’s rewarding to see them grow in confidence and skill as they move through their studies.

I’m passionate about health promotion, public health, social justice, equality, and diversity. I want everyone to understand that studying health and social care is far from an “easy” option. It’s a complex, intellectually demanding field that blends theory, ethics, psychology, sociology, and critical thinking, and in practice, these are often applied in emotionally charged situations. Health and social care is about understanding systems, advocating for change, and working with people from all walks of life. What inspires me most is seeing my students go on to become advocates for others. 

I make a point of getting to know each student and learning about their individual backgrounds, ambitions, and concerns. I’m always here to listen to students, offer advice, or point them towards extra support if they need it. I’ve been nominated for several awards at UCB, including the ones for inspirational teaching and outstanding feedback.