Young volunteers shaping their future

Students are shaping their future by helping others thanks to a partnership between Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust and Walsall College.

Shardae Vanhorn and Logan Rolls are among those who have been volunteering at Walsall Manor Hospital.

As part of their protective services course (which includes police, fire and blue light services), they are required to complete a 12-week programme.

The programme at the hospital consists of four weeks on reception, four weeks doing a wellbeing trolley round and four weeks on a ward under supervision.

The 18-year-old friends from Willenhall said:

“We decided to volunteer at the hospital because we wanted to learn and gain more experience.

“It’s been really good to find out more about the healthcare service and we’ve gained a lot of transferrable skills that we can use in our college course and in life.

“We have really enjoyed our time here; we’ve loved talking to people – especially staff and other volunteers who without this opportunity we probably wouldn’t have had the chance to.”

In the future, Shardae hopes to be a paramedic while Logan is still deciding but definitely wants to work in the blue light services.

Gayle Johnston, Volunteer Co-ordinator at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, said: “Shardae and Logan have been amazing volunteers! They have both really embraced their roles and have supported many people.

“The partnership with Walsall College is very exciting and we’ve been fortunate to have some fantastic young people join us as part of the 12-week pilot programme. We’re now looking at ways to develop this further both with the college and other training providers.”