A Health & Social Care student from Stratford-upon-Avon College has got stuck in on a placement with a local Care Home, delivering wellbeing activities to help residents engage in leisure pursuits.
Luke Barry, 17 from Studley, is in his first year of the Level 3 Health & Social Care Extended Diploma. He has just started his placement at Four Acres Nursing Home; taking on a role within the Wellbeing and Activities team.
Four Acres Care Home is a residential care home situated in Studley that assists and supports its residents to live a normal life and promote their independence and dignity. The wellbeing and activities team is an important department as promoting enjoyment and engagement of the residents is key.
Katie Hale, Wellbeing Lead, explains what the role entails: “We help residents enjoy the activities they like to participate in. We organise things like Bingo, quizzes, board games, movies as well as organise visits from hairdressers and opticians. It’s important for stimulation and promotes friendship groups and interactions with outer communities.”
Luke is enjoying his placement at Four Acres and relishes getting a hands on experience in the wellbeing and activities role
This is Luke’s first placement on the course. He chose the course due to all his family being paramedics and he wanted follow in their footsteps: “My brother actually came to Stratford-upon-Avon College and now is a Paramedic. He fully recommended the course, so here I am!”
Though his dream is to be a Paramedic, Luke feels this type of placement is incredibly helpful: “I have gained a lot of skills doing this placement. My communication skills have developed as well as my confidence.”
Katie is keen for students to experience placements like these: “It gives students a look at the reality of what goes on behind the scenes. It gives a true insight into the challenges we can face in this environment and you can’t learn that from a text book.”
Lucy Carrington, Health & Social Care lecturer, explains why work experience opportunities are such a benefit to students: “Placements are an integral part of the course as they allow students first hand experiences and lets them apply their learning in a practical setting. It is great Luke has benefitted so much from the experience.”
