Secondary school children from across Leeds recently had the opportunity to sample different careers related to the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust’s plans for the design and construction of the new hospitals in the city at an event in the city centre.
The Trust’s (LTHT) ‘Building the Leeds Way Programme’ team – which is responsible for leading the project to build new ‘state-of-the-art’ hospitals in Leeds – led the event at Aspire on Infirmary Street for Year 9 and 10 students from Mount St. Mary’s, Carr Manor, Bishop Young Academy, Cockburn Academy, Co-op Academy, and Leeds East Academy. The student participants gained ‘a simulated insight’ into a range of critical roles and activities – including site planning, healthcare planning, design, cost, communications, engagement, and project management. As part of its Social Value work, the team – alongside external specialist suppliers – is committed to supporting young people in the region with their personal, social, and educational development.
In partnership with Arup, Arcadis, Identity Consult, Perkins & Will, Archus, KD Health, MJ Medical, Leeds College of Building, Leeds City College, and Leeds Health and Care Academy, LTHT provided students from the six schools with the opportunity to meet professionals and specialists involved in the development of the new Adult and Children’s Hospital that will be based at the LGI site. Information on related careers and further education was also made available by the Leeds Health and Care Academy, Leeds College of Building, and Leeds City College.
Javed Hussain, Transport planner at Arup, who supported the schools’ engagement event, said: “We are proud to support Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust’s social value programme. A local priority for us is to create more inclusive and accessible routes for Leeds students to gain experience and employment at Arup. We know we will benefit from the diversity and talent across Leeds, and ensure that those from the city’s most deprived areas have an equal opportunity to work with us. It has been great to see students think through a project brief, be naturally inquisitive, and work collaboratively – important qualities needed to address tomorrow’s challenges.”
One of the students, Tavongwa, aged 14, of Bishop Young Academy said: “It was an interesting experience, as I got to see some of the different roles people play in the NHS and in designing the new hospitals, and how it can help with career choices.”
The plan is that this will be the first of many similar events that the Trust will run as part of the LTHT Building the Leeds Way Programme.
