Youth volunteering programmes: how NHS initiatives are inspiring the next generation of healthcare professionals

Our presenters showcased the fantastic work that is being done to encourage young people into careers in healthcare.

In this recording you will hear from Carrie McKenzie, Voluntary Partnerships senior manager at NHS England, who presented an overview of the NHS Cadets programme and an update on the initiatives driving youth volunteering and youth social action across the NHS. The work focuses on recruiting young people from underrepresented groups, or who may encounter barriers to accessing volunteering opportunities in healthcare.

The Humber Health Champions programme has been offering 16 to 25-year-olds the opportunity to volunteer in hospitals and gain valuable hands-on experience in clinical settings since 2014, and in that time more than 2,700 young people have joined the programme and gone on to enjoy careers in a variety of healthcare roles. Rachael Hardcastle-Pearce, Group Head of Voluntary Services at NHS Humber Health Partnership, tells us how The Humber Health Champions programme is inspiring the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Emma Scott, Volunteer Services Manager, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, talks about their NHS Cadets Programme and their own Team Impact Programme for 16 & 17 year old volunteers.

A link to the recording can be found below

A link to Rachel's video can be found here

As mentioned in the Q&A you may also be interested in:

• Young Volunteer Risk Assessment template