Student Takeover at Providence Court!

A group of twenty students from North Herts College descended on Providence Court today for a Student Takeover. The students are currently studying Health and Social Care at the college and the aim of the Takeover programme is to give them an opportunity to work alongside staff members to get real life work experience. Many have already decided which role to pursue in the health and social care sector, but for those who are undecided, it gives them an insight into what opportunities might be available to them in the future. The students worked alongside various members of the Providence Court team including the Home Manager, Deputy Manager, Care Team Manager, Careworker and Chef Manager. Sarah Richards is currently studying Level 3 Health and Social Care and is hoping to go into adult nursing. She said "I am assisting the Care Team Manager May today. I have been answering phones and booking hospital appointments and transport for the residents. We have also been working on the staff rotas and organising staff for the coming week. Everybody here at Providence Court is very welcoming and have made the experience really fulfilling. It is fantastic to be able to experience a different role within the care sector, and I could really see myself working here". Home Manager Karen Parker said "we are very pleased to be able to take part in the Student Takeover scheme. We have arranged the day so that the students can really experience what the different roles involve. I have been overwhelmed by their enthusiasm for learning and would be really delighted if some of the students were to choose a career in care for older people as a result". Afterwards the students were asked to give feedback on their experience and below are a few of their comments: "It's been fun - it's been really interesting here, there is so much variety in it. I didn't expect to see the residents preparing the vegetables! It was really nice to see everyone getting involved – it was really lovely!" "I've never been inside a care home before and only have what you hear in the media to go by, but having the chance to do so today was so eye-opening – it’s a really nice place to be." "It was a good experience – I’d really like to go into a job like this. It was such a relaxed and calm, happy environment to work in – it’s been really nice" "This is the first care home who have let us in to have this opportunity – Quantum Care is a great organisation to work for and I’d like to thank Karen and her team for giving us this opportunity and making us feel so welcome in her Home." "It was nice to see how the staff in the Home are so passionate about what they do; to see that there are Homes that are so caring, and who really do want the best for the residents" "It’s made me want to work in care even more so – it’s so nice to see how you can make someone feel better, how you can make such a difference to their day" "The carer I shadowed was so enthusiastic about her job, and it had such a positive effect on the residents . . . and me as well!" "I worked with the administrator working behind the scenes. I didn't realise how much responsibility the administrator has! It’s been so interesting and a really good experience!" "I was doing the Home Manager's role today, and when you think about the manager's role you imagine being sat in an office all day, but with Karen I was out on the floor - we explored every area of the care home today and we spoke with all the residents and the staff - she was so involved and it was really nice to see. It's certainly an area I'd like to work in – it really opened my eyes." "I worked with one of the care staff today, and there's so much more to it than I thought. It was more than just serving breakfast – the lady I worked with knew everything about the residents' preferences – she was so involved with everyone and really made sure that had exactly what they needed." "Today I worked with May, a Care Team Manager at Providence Court. She was so welcoming – we got straight on with making arrangements for the residents. She had such a great attitude and was so comforting, and it was lovely to learn about the different roles. I really saw how important it was to her to make sure everyone was comfortable and happy." Quantum Care - the group which operates Providence Court - supports the Good Care initiative which culminated in a Good Care Week event recently, and which aims to raise the profile of social care and celebrate all of the great work going on within the sector. As such, we were delighted to receive such positive feedback from the students today and hope that this event has helped to raise the profile of care homes within the local community and beyond.