Throughout June and July, South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) colleagues volunteered their time to inspire hundreds of young people across Hampshire and Berkshire, helping students explore careers in healthcare while developing the confidence and skills they need for the future.
Working in partnership with schools and Education Business Partnership (EBP) South, SCAS staff took part in a series of employer interview sessions, Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) fairs and business networking events, giving pupils the opportunity to meet professionals, ask questions and gain a real insight into life in the ambulance service.
The programme began at Brookfield Community School on 12 and 19 June, where Holly Keetch, Clinical Team Educator, supported on the first day by Bethany Rawson, Paramedic, helped Year 10 students prepare for future interviews. More than 300 students took part, with feedback showing that almost all participants left feeling more confident communicating with employers and presenting themselves in interviews.
On 24 June, Lawrence James, Paramedic, represented SCAS at Get Inspired Portsmouth, where hundreds of secondary school students met employers from across the region to discover new career opportunities. The event encouraged young people to think beyond familiar career paths and explore the wide variety of roles available within organisations such as the NHS.
The following week, Virginia Appo, Emergency Care Assistant, attended a Business Speed Networking event at The Henry Beaufort School, where she introduced students to careers within the ambulance service. Reflecting on the day, Virginia said:
“I enjoyed talking to the children about the ambulance service and the job that we do. I think they found it useful and interesting – they were happy to engage and ask questions.”
Also on 1 July, Oliver Brown, Paramedic, and Richard Spearey, Ambulance Nurse, attended the Basingstoke Primary School’s STEM Fair, giving younger pupils the chance to discover how science, technology and healthcare come together in emergency care. The event inspired many pupils to consider future careers in STEM, with every student who provided feedback saying they would recommend the experience to others.
The programme concluded on 14 July at Hounsdown School, where Paramedic Jennifer Lawrence and NQ Paramedic Lawrence James supported employer interview sessions for 250 students. Young people reported increased confidence in presenting themselves to employers and communicating in professional settings, while employers praised the students’ enthusiasm, ambition and willingness to learn.
By sharing their experiences and encouraging meaningful conversations about careers, SCAS colleagues are helping young people develop the confidence, knowledge and aspirations to make informed choices about their futures. Whether demonstrating the realities of working on the frontline or supporting interview practice, these events are a valuable way of inspiring the next generation and showcasing the wide range of rewarding careers available within the NHS.