Learn, earn and stay healthy

A strategy has been launched to ensure more Hull people can experience the health benefits of work

Shaunna Farr and Eunice Kangah were among the first pupils to benefit from the work experience scheme with NHS Hull

A work experience scheme is showing Hull pupils how raising their education and career aspirations can have positive knock-on effects for their health.
Recent studies have shown that work is generally better for your physical and mental well-being than spending long periods unemployed.
Having a job you enjoy with prospects for career development can increase self esteem and quality of life, lift families out of debt and break any dependence they may have on state benefits.
To encourage young people to aim high and think about the types of work they might like to do when they leave school, NHS Hull has set up a work experience scheme, which gives young people a unique insight into some of the careers it has to offer.
Eunice Kangah and Shaunna Farr, who both attend Archbishop Sentamu Academy in east Hull, are among the first pupils in the city to have carried out a two-week work experience placement with NHS Hull.

Insight to the world of work

They were given an insight into different aspects of the work of the NHS, including working with NHS health trainers to find out how they support people to live healthier lifestyles; attending the launch of the 'Super Sitters' better babysitting project at David Lister school; learning about mental health services in Hull; and attending a meeting alongside nurses and other health professionals to find out how swine flu can be tackled in the city.
The work experience placement also included time spent learning how NHS Hull works with the local media to publicise its services; going on a tour of Doncaster Royal Infirmary to see at first hand the work of different departments and staff within the hospital; and visiting an anatomy museum in Glasgow to learn about the human body, diseases, medicine and surgery by seeing exhibits of real human organs and body specimens.
"It was a really interesting, well organised, and informative work experience placement, and much better than I had anticipated," says Year 11 pupil Eunice.
"All the people we met were friendly and welcoming and really took time to tell us about the work they do.
"The highlight for me was the visit to the anatomy museum – it was amazing."
Eunice and Shaunna both expressed an interest in taking a work experience placement after the NHS Hull earning and learning team gave a presentation at their school.
With the help of their health and social care teacher the placement was arranged.
"Seeing the work of different departments was a real eye-opener as it gave us a wide introduction to the work of the NHS," says Shaunna.
"I found many things interesting, particularly the swine flu meeting, as it was about how to respond to a real life public health situation in Hull."

Earning and learning strategy

In a bid to encourage young people to raise their career aspirations, and promote the health benefits of work to unemployed adults and those living on state benefits, an Earning and Learning Strategy has been launched for the city.
NHS Hull has developed the strategy in partnership with, amongst others, Hull City Council, the Hull York Medical School, Connexions and Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust.
The strategy will seek to achieve a range of objectives including:

• provide new ways into employment including helping people to find jobs
• setting up a 'mentoring programme' in Hull schools, in which 100 trained mentors from a range of health professions will work with 1,000 young people each year
• develop a 'register of expertise': a database of health and social care staff which will be made available to schools. Staff on the database can give presentations to pupils about their work
• hold 'careers surgeries' in Hull schools where pupils can drop in to ask questions about careers in the NHS

Aiming high

With more than 350 careers available – from doctors and nurses to solicitors, physiotherapists and delivery drivers – the NHS offers a world of opportunity to young people.
"The work experience scheme can help us introduce the NHS to pupils in Hull schools and show them what is out there," says Dr Neil Pease, the assistant director of earning and learning for NHS Hull.
"We want them to aim high as there is a proven link between work and health – the better the job you have, the more you can lead a full life and keep your mind and body active, all of which can keep you in better health.
"And for people who are unemployed and living on state benefits, we want to encourage them to retrain into new jobs so they too can experience the health benefits that work can bring."

info

For more information on NHS Hull visit www.hullpct.nhs.uk

Working in partnership
NHS Hull tel. (01482) 344700