North Hertfordshire College is proud to share that 20 of our Health & Social Care students have joined the Forget-Me-Not Dementia Volunteer Team at the Lister Hospital in Stevenage.
Our learners will spend time with the team as part of their work placements, giving them valuable experience of working in a hospital as well as how to support people living with dementia to engage socially through meaningful activities and companionship. This voluntary service not only provides a positive experience to patients but also supports our learners to gain experience in their chosen career. Many of our learners want to start a career in the NHS after they finish their studies, with some of the current Forget-Me-Not volunteers dreaming of becoming mental health nurses, clinical support workers, and psychiatrists to name a few!
The 2024/25 academic year is the second year that North Hertfordshire College’s Health & Social Care learners have taken part in this project. The level of care that our students provide has been praised by staff and patients alike, with one person living with dementia having described his student volunteer as “making him feel like a ‘normal’ person instead of someone who is ill.”
Molly Baldini, who works with East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust as the Forget-Me-Not Dementia Service Manager, commented: “[The volunteering placement] highlights the importance of work experience and volunteering as part of NHS England’s long-term workforce planning. I am looking forward to managing and watching these fantastic students grow into their NHS progressions for many years to come.”
Nina Clutton, Head of Early Years & Education Studies, Health & Social Care, and Digital courses at North Hertfordshire College, shares Molly’s sentiment. She commented: “Thank you so much to Molly for supporting our students. We are so grateful for the opportunity they have been given. The skills our students are developing through this programme are invaluable and will help to shape their future development in the sector.”
The collaboration between NHC’s Health & Social Care department and Lister Hospital’s Forget-Me-Not Dementia Volunteer Team is one of the many ways that we aim to support our students to feel confident about their future careers. Our tutors have strong connections with employers in their sectors, with many of our tutors having worked in the sector themselves. It’s through these links that we’re able to create valuable learning opportunities both inside and outside the classroom for our students to really apply what they’ve learned.
We look forward to seeing how our learners grow and their skills develop through this experience! Thank you again to East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust and the Forget-Me-Not Dementia Volunteer Team for offering this opportunity to our students.
Do you want to start your own learning journey in the healthcare sector? Explore North Hertfordshire College’s Health & Social Care pathways to see where your studies could take you. With NHC, you can stay close to home and access amazing opportunities to go far in your future.