Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust (WCHC) is the first community trust in the UK to deliver the NHS Cadets Programme.
The fantastic initiative gives local young people, aged 16-18, a flavour of what it is like to volunteer and work in the NHS, as well as giving them the confidence and tools they need to develop and prepare for life. It provides young people with courses to develop their leadership skills, first aid awareness and volunteering opportunities in the NHS – including vital hands-on work experience in NHS settings.
Launched in October 2020, the programme, now in its fourth year, is going from strength to strength and is delivered across Wirral, St Helens and Knowsley.
To work alongside our partners at The Hive, Vibe and St John Ambulance to deliver the NHS Cadet Programme is something our Trust is truly proud of. Volunteering and working in the NHS is about learning new skills and having new experiences – so this programme helps the cadets develop tools they can use in the next steps of their journey.
Being an NHS Cadet is a chance for local young people to make something theirs – all while making a difference to other people’s lives, which is what the NHS is all about.
Hear from some of our Cadets…
“My confidence has improved massively, I’ve learnt my own personal skill sets and found my strengths with the help of the staff, I can talk confidently and proudly of many different roles in the NHS. I am very passionate about my future career choice.”
“My favourite session so far has been the neurodiversity session, it made me feel appreciated and unique for having additional needs”.
“I loved engaging with all other cadets and seeing their funny and creative side and learning about what they want to be, and it was a great way to get to know each other in a fun setting”.
Young people can register their interest by visiting the St John Ambulance website.
