Student programmes

Our student volunteer programme is a great way for sixth form and college students to gain hands-on experience supporting staff and patients on busy wards. It’s ideal for anyone considering a career in healthcare.

Key details

• We offer approximately 30 placements per year.
• You must be 16+ to apply. If you are agreed 16-17, please ensure your form is signed by your parent/guardian and your Year Head/Tutor.
• Due to high demand, the selection process will be based on your personal statement. All enquires must come from students, we are unable to provide information to your tutor, friends or family unless you need extra support.
• Students will be required to commit 50 hours of volunteering (at least 2 hours per week).
• Your 50 required hours are mainly split into 2-hour sessions during the week. They can also include a longer session at the weekend if preferred.

Please choose from the 2-hour sessions below:

Guidance on how to apply

A strong application is essential, as placements are limited. To ensure we place you in the right environment, please follow the guidance below:

• Personal statement: Add as much detail as possible - why are you interested? Have you carried out any research into the role? Has someone inspired you? Include interests, hobbies, extra-curricular activities, and any previous volunteering.
• Commitment: Ensure you can complete the full 50-hour placement. Your session will be the same time and day each week.
• Travel: Consider how you will get to and from the hospital, especially as rural transport can be difficult.
• Timeline: The recruitment process from time of applcication may take up to three months.
• DBS Check: You will need to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check as part of your application, there will be a charge of £26.45 for this.

If you'd like to apply, please complete our application form and send it to Volunteer.Services@wsh.nhs.uk.

Clinical shadowing placements are available to students with an interest in healthcare over the age of 16, in sixth form, college or post graduate education. For one or two days students can observe doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals in their day-to-day setting.

Clinical shadowing will give you a taste of what it is like to work in healthcare, whether this is with a doctor, nurse or physiotherapist. You will see how their work impacts patients, other staff and see the day to day life of their profession. These skills can help you with further studies, help boost your university applications and will be useful in your future career and life in general.

Clinical shadowing is a very popular opportunity and due to high demand in certain opportunities places are limited.

Please email Volunteer.Services@wsh.nhs.uk for confirmation that the clinical shadowing opportunity you are interested in is currently available prior to applying.

To apply. please download, complete and return the application pack.

The Health Academy is an interactive programme that gives students the chance to explore different careers in the NHS — from nursing and therapy roles to portering and operating department practice. It is designed to help you build skills, gain confidence and understand what it’s like to work in a healthcare setting.

The Health Academy is open to school or college students aged 15–18 who are interested in a future career in health care.

Visit the Health Academy webpage to find out more and apply.

One week hands on work experience placements are available in non-clinical areas between Monday and Friday only to year 10 and 11 students, offering a great opportunity to see first-hand how a hospital runs behind the scenes. These placements will be offered in non-clinical departments such as human resources and communications, the medical library and the estates and facilities department. Please be aware that spaces are limited.

You will be able to:

• gain a realistic awareness of the everyday realities of life in the health service
• acquire knowledge about your own abilities and limitations
• learn how to communicate well with all sorts of different people
• take responsibility for your learning and plan future goals.

Please note work experience placements are not appropriate if you are looking for experience in medicine, nursing, or Health care departments. If you are 16 or over, you can apply for a clinical shadowing placement as detailed above.

View our application pack.

The Trust will work with education training providers to offer placements where possible. The hours that students complete and the location of placement area will be dependent on their chosen industry and will be course specific.

The Trust will work with education training providers to offer placements where possible. The hours that students complete and the location of placement area will be course specific.

We offer short vacation placements to second and third year pharmacy undergraduate students during the Easter and Summer holidays. This will give you an opportunity to meet the team and find out about working in our pharmacy department.

To apply please send a cover letter and a current CV to jenny.hannah@wsh.nhs.uk

If you are already a medical student and are looking for clinical or elective attachments, please contact post graduate medical education:

Telephone: 01284 712679 or email ann.southgate@wsh.nhs.uk