Student Paramedics Get Work Experience at Local Care Homes
Tuesday, 11 December 2018
Paramedic students from the University of Worcester have been getting first-hand work experience at care homes across the Midlands.
The students from Worcester are among around 200"student paramedics, physician associates, occupational therapists and physiotherapists from universities in the Midlands under taking placements with Sanctuary Care.
The placements give the students the opportunity to develop their communication, social and practical skills.
Sanctuary Care's Yunus Giwa, Senior Work Programmes Officer said: "We are proud to be supporting two of our local universities by helping their students to get such incredibly valuable work experience."
"We welcomed around 50 students from the University of Worcester into our homes last year and the feedback from themselves, as well as our residents and staff was so positive that we were thrilled to expand the project this year."
"The placements are an excellent way to encourage intergenerational engagement - many of our residents really enjoy spending time with the younger generation, so this is extremely beneficial for them too."
Three BSc Paramedic Science students from the University of Worcester who have been enjoying five-week placements at Lammas House Residential Care Home in Coventry are Sian Scott, Chloe Tilley and Jacob Thomas.
Jacob, who is 20 years old said: "It is so nice to build up a rapport with the residents - I have really enjoyed getting to know about their lives and what Coventry used to be like."
Practise Lead at the University of Worcester, Paula Gardner, said: "The students have thoroughly enjoyed their time with Sanctuary Care. They have developed communication and inter-personal skills and gained an understanding of caring for residents with individual needs. Helping with activities of daily living, giving emotional support to residents and their families and providing individual care has given the students essential lifelong skills."
"Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team, with a variety of shifts and building relationships with colleagues and residents has given them insight into the caring profession and will be invaluable in their future paramedic careers."
As part of their placements so far the students, who shadow members of staff, have been doing everything from learning about resident care plans and how to write their life histories, to undertaking physical assessments, learning how to support residents who are less mobile, taking part in an array of activities and helping at mealtimes.