Students experience working in healthcare thanks to HCRG Care Group
Students from Stone Lodge Academy in Dartford, part of the Endeavour Academy Group, have been getting experience in the world of healthcare thanks to HCRG Care Group.
HCRG Care Group, which provides adult community services across North Kent and Swale, welcomed the students for a day a week over a full term when they gained observational experience in both clinical and non-clinical roles.
This is part of a social value programme aiming to make positive change to the lives of people across the local community.
Debbie Lindon-Taylor, North Kent Business Unit Head at HCRG Care Group, said: “We have been and continue to work very closely with local schools and colleges to support education and provide a bridge to employment for the next generation of healthcare professionals. Having the opportunity to offer a variety of placement and engagement opportunities for young people in the area allows us to support the creation of local jobs and careers for local people and to make a beneficial impact for communities in our region”.
Working in partnership with local schools and colleges, HCRG Care Group will be developing a programme of careers talks and marketplace stalls at local events in addition to work placement and engagement opportunities for the next generation of health and care professionals.
The organisation is working in partnership with the local health and care partnerships as well as the Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB) to offer a significant number of placements and opportunities including:
- Providing one day placement opportunities for sports science students to work with physio and occupational therapists.
- Offering observational placements for students considering health care as a profession
- Opening an internal Learning Zone for local students.
HCRG Care Group is also helping young people with CV writing for clinical and non-clinical roles, support with mock interviews and providing a wider community response to those in need.
Geraldine Tiddy, Assistant Headteacher from the Endeavour Trust, said: “I cannot thank HCRG Care Group colleagues enough for their time and dedication in providing this excellent experience for our students. I am so pleased to have the opportunity to work with such a committed and supportive team of people. Students have really valued the opportunities and we are so excited to continue this work with our next cohort of students.”
This work has played a pivotal role in HCRG Care Group being shortlisted for a Nursing Times Workforce Award, in the Best Social Responsibility Programme category.
