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New work experience programme to inspire young people

20 August 2012

Today (Monday 20 August) Chelsea and Westminster Hospital is launching a new work experience programme called INSPIRE. It is the brainchild of Libby Wingfield (Volunteer Services and Work Experience Manager) and Staff Governor Maddy Than. The new programme aims to engage and inspire young people from our local community to consider a career in medicine and healthcare.

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital launched a new work experience programme called INSPIRE.

It is the brainchild of Libby Wingfield (Volunteer Services and Work Experience Manager) and Staff Governor Maddy Than.

The new programme aims to engage and inspire young people from our local community to consider a career in medicine and healthcare.

This exciting opportunity will introduce local youngsters to a clinical environment, give them the chance to meet healthcare professionals at work, and listen to seminars on a range of different healthcare careers.

Libby says: “We want to reach out to our community by providing programmes such as INSPIRE which support young people in their career choices and raise the aspirations of those who may not have otherwise considered a healthcare career.”

Maddy Than, a Staff Governor who works as an administrator in the clinical engineering team, also feels strongly that the INSPIRE programme can open up career pathways to a diverse range of young people.

She explains: “INSPIRE is a really positive new initiative for the Trust. We want to engage our local young people and say to them ‘These careers are within your reach, you can do it too!’ because this initiative is all about supporting these youngsters to fulfil their potential.”

The INSPIRE work experience programme is a full-time, five-day course which combines career talks, workshops and shadowing/observation sessions in various clinical areas of the hospital. The programme is aimed at young people aged 16+ who are in full-time or part-time education.

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George Vasilopoulos