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Paralympics GB hero honoured by Coventry University
James Roberts MBE
University news
Friday 12 July 2024
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Paralympic gold medallist James Roberts MBE has praised the support he has received from Coventry University after being presented with an Honorary Doctorate this week.
James, who was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Science on Tuesday, said he was honoured to have been given the award.
It’s absolutely brilliant, it’s a real honour, it’s something that I’d never really thought or expected, but to have this from Coventry University, who welcomed me back after I got bacterial meningitis and had basically three years out of university, is brilliant.
James Roberts MBE
James competed as part of the Paralympics GB Wheelchair Rugby Team, who won gold at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games, and was awarded an MBE in 2022 for Services to Wheelchair Rugby.
James’s life changed forever after his first year at university in 2007 when he returned home to work with the family business over the summer.
After contracting bacterial meningitis, James was forced to undergo a life-changing double amputation, spending around two-and-a-half years in hospital.
Determined to continue his studies when he recovered, James returned to Coventry University to complete his degree in Architectural Design Technology, earning first-class honours and outstanding student of the year from the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologies.
A keen rugby player before his amputations, James never lost his passion for sport and when a nurse in hospital suggested he might have the potential to succeed in wheelchair rugby, he set his mind to competing.
Taking inspiration from Team GB at the 2012 Paralympic Games and supported by Coventry University’s Sports Scholarship Programme, he worked extremely hard to get into the Team GB wheelchair rugby development squad.
Honing his game through competing in the US, James went on to be an integral part of the team, scoring an astounding 105 tries across Great Britain’s five matches at the Tokyo Paralympic Games.
Since graduating in 2013, alongside his sporting achievements, James has pursued a successful career in architecture and now works as a Senior Chartered Architectural Technologist.
The whole university looks really good, you can see a lot of investment has gone in and I’ve had a great welcome here today. Coventry University has given me that absolute grounding in architectural design technology, I was lucky enough to get a placement here that was supported by the university. I’ve gone on to become a chartered architectural technologist and now a passive house designer as well.
James Roberts MBE
Find out more about Sports Scholarships at Coventry University.
Also receiving an Honorary Doctorate from Coventry University is Clare Wightman, the CEO of city-based Grapevine which helps people experiencing isolation, poverty and disadvantage to build better lives.
Clare has been in the role since 2000 and will become a Doctor of Letters in recognition of her exceptional contribution to enhancing the lives and well-being of marginalised individuals and communities in Coventry and Warwickshire.
I am absolutely delighted. You don’t get into this sort of work for the prizes but it is lovely to get that recognition especially with it being the charity’s 30th anniversary this year.
When the charity was set up it was a drop-in centre for people with learning disabilities and was run by volunteers and was ambitious. While charity has evolved, we have stayed true to that ethos that things need to be driven by people’s own input and involvement. What people most need is in communities, friendships and their relationships with others.
Clare Wightman
Suzanne Rastrick has spent the last decade as NHS England’s Chief Allied Health Professions Officer where she has flown the flag for professions such as paramedics, therapists and radiographers. She was given an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in 2019 and will be given an Honorary Doctorate of Science in recognition of significant contribution to Allied Health by Coventry University.
While the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science is given for my contribution to Allied Health, the recognition of our Allied Health Professions Strategy for England and work to promote inclusivity within the community is sincerely appreciated.
In England the community of 14 allied health professions are the third largest workforce in health and care services and I am particularly looking forward to the graduation day as Coventry University is a key provider of pre-registration degree programmes for a significant number of these professions.
I will be delighted to witness the proud moment that AHP graduates at the University formally begin their professional careers, supporting people and communities in England in every health and care setting, including pre-hospital, diagnostics, public health, mental health and learning disabilities.
Professor Suzanne Rastrick, Chief Allied Health Professions Officer for England
