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A healthy future is on the CARDs as BTEC students look at progression routes

First year BTEC Health and Social Care students this week kick started their journeys into the profession by attending the launch of the HE Healthcare CARD scheme.

HE Healthcare CARD (which stands for ‘Choose a Real Deal’) is run by the Staffordshire Partnership alongside local Higher Education institutions including Staffordshire University and Keele University. Over the course of the next year, students will engage in a range of healthcare related activities such as listening to guest speakers from the industry, visiting universities to find out more about courses and facilities. Students will also take part in team building activities which will equip them with the skills needed to succeed in a challenging career path.

There are incentives for students on the programme as some universities offer extra UCAS points as recognition for the work that students put in.

Grace Lambert, a student studying BTEC Health and Social Care said; “I’ve heard that it is a really good scheme. It appealed to me as it gives me the chance to build up a portfolio of work to put into applications for university and apprenticeships, and to meet people from the industry who can help me.”

Classmate Aliya Ahmed was also very positive about Healthcare CARD. “I’ve signed up because it will help me find the right university and ensure that I won’t end up studying something I don’t like in a place I don’t like. This programme will help us explore a range of options.”

The launch of the scheme went well and students enjoyed the range of speakers on offer to give them an insight into the world of care. They included a visit by staff members from Newstead Day Centre, a talk by Shirley Way, Business Development Manager for Care Match, and Paul Edden from Home Instead who started his own business making meals in the homes of the elderly.

Stacey Tideswell and Jemma Nicholls, who both attended the launch, really enjoyed Paul’s talk. “It was great to hear a true story”, they said. “Usually, home helpers visit someone’s house, make a ready meal and leave. But Paul’s company actually go in and spend around 3 hours with them, taking them to the supermarket and buying them food to cook together. It all started because his own dad received poor care and it inspired him to take action. Hearing a first hand experience was really good.”

The HE Healthcare CARD programme continues on 1st February with a trip to Keele University where students will undertake a range of activities exploring options for Higher Education.