NHS Cadets is a new programme aimed at young people aged 14 to 18 providing opportunities to explore roles in healthcare. The aim of the programme is to reach a diverse range of young people who have barriers to entering health volunteering and/or a healthcare career.
The cadets will help to improve care for patients while offering a route into health service employment for up to 10,000 young people.
The programme is funded equally by NHS England and St Johns Ambulance to provide 14 to 18-year-olds with first aid training, courses to develop their leadership skills, and volunteering opportunities in the NHS.
Paul Cresswell, Director of Quality Governance at North Bristol NHS Trust, said:
“One of the great things about the NHS Cadets programme is it opens up a whole spectrum of opportunities into what the NHS offers. Whether it’s porters, engineers, accountants or lawyers – as well as the clinical roles – there’s just an unlimited number of opportunities, and this programme really helps young people navigate that.”
Some thoughts from young people who have gone through this programme:
‘‘I learned a lot about different job roles in healthcare.’
“I want a career which helps people in my community, and I’ve learned so much in the Cadets. I’ve made new friends and found out about opportunities for working in the NHS”
‘The skills we have learned and the work on building CVs and personal statements has been really useful.”
Resources:
- Learn more about the NHS Cadets (NHS Cadets Homepage | St John Ambulance (sja.org.uk)): https://nhscadets.sja.org.uk/
- NHS England – NHS Cadets
- Northamptonshire NHS Foundation Trust – Start your pathway into healthcare – NHS Cadets for 14 – 16 year olds.
