First-year physiotherapy students at the University of Winchester have won praise for ‘throwing themselves’ into an innovative placement programme that ran for 10 weeks earlier this year.

The undergraduates completed 60-hour placements with local organisations and charities – not all of which took place in clinical environments – that give them early practical experience. The focus was on demonstrating professionalism and enhancing communication skills through working with people with healthcare and challenging social needs.

The new placement scheme is part of an updated curriculum that was recently reviewed, enhanced, revalidated and reaccredited by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. The CSP commended the course for its inclusive approach, addressing student support needs and valuing stakeholder involvement.

‘We loved all the students who came to us and we do miss them’ [Stuart Palmer, pictured with student group]

Addressing the students at a special event to thank the organisations that hosted 80 of them since January, Katherine Cook, physiotherapy programme lead, said: ‘We are grateful to all of you for throwing yourselves into this alongside a busy study programme. You have been a phenomenal year group.’

A ‘massive opportunity’

Another speaking at the event at the university’s West Downs Auditorium was Elizabeth Davies-Ward, dean of the university’s Faculty of Health and Wellbeing. She thanked the placement providers saying: ‘This is a really important placement for introducing students to the big wide world. It’s a massive opportunity.’

Placement hosts included Ronald McDonald House in Southampton, dance charity Move Momentum, Communicare, the Memory Box Foundation, the Boaz Project and Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust.

One host – Stuart Palmer of Boaz, based in Sutton Scotney, which provides a farming related activities for adults with learning difficulties – said he was impressed with the way the students had learned to deal with a wide range of people of different ages.

‘We loved all the students who came to us and we do miss them,’ said Mr Palmer, who is pictured with a group of Winchester student volunteers.

Students were an ‘absolute delight’

Annie Clewlow from Communicare, a Southampton-based charity which acts as a good neighbour to lonely and isolated people, said: ‘The students were an absolute delight. Not only did they get to work with us but also our partners including the Saints Foundation and care homes. It was a great learning opportunity for us and the students.’

Kayte West, from the Memory Box Foundation which runs reminiscence projects through day care for people with dementia at Winchester’s Chesil Lodge Resource Centre, said: ‘I am proud of how the students grew in confidence and threw themselves into every activity. It was such an important opportunity for both sides – I heartily recommend it.’

Kerry Chamberlain, from Move Momentum, said the students had worked with a range of clients including over-65s, wheelchair uses and people with learning difficulties.

‘We are a small charity and it’s always amazing to have people help us out and having some young faces in the room was a huge hit,’ said Kerry.

‘Welcome back’ message

Robin Snape of Ronald McDonald House, which provides free accommodation for parents of sick children at Southampton General Hospital, said: ‘We completely underestimated the talent of the people you were sending to us. They really made a difference. We are absolutely going to sign up for next year.’

Age Concern Hampshire praised the students’ commitment, time management, dedication and their ‘unfailing commitment to our clients, carers and staff’.  In a statement that was read out at the West Downs ceremony, the organisation said: ‘The attention they lavished on everyone and the kind professional manner in which they presented themselves was exceptional.

‘We have no doubt the students will be an asset to any establishment. We would welcome them back with open arms.’

The other organisations offering placements were Headway, Lanterns Nursery School, Southern Health (now Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS Trust), Hampshire Hospitals Foundation Trust and Everyone Active.