Students Gear Up for a Health and Social Care Fair

Students from Health and Social Care programmes at South Eastern Regional College (SERC) got an insight into some of the career pathways open to them on successful completion of their courses and further studies at a Health & Social Care Fair Day, hosted at SERC Newtownards Campus, on Tuesday 9 September.

Nikki Rainey, Acting Deputy Head of School, Health & Social Care at SERC said, “Our Health and Social Care Fair offered almost 80 students from Level 2 and Level 3 further education and Access courses and Level 4 higher education programmes, the perfect opportunity to meet a range of health professionals and to hear first-hand about different pathways.

“We were delighted to have support from across the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust representing nursing and specialist roles including infection control, bed manager, midwifery, mental health nursing, occupational therapist (forensic mental health) and social work. 

“Students were also able to engage with work placement providers such as M Care, Praxis, Women’s Aid, The Peninsula and Oakmont Nursing Home, Blair Lodge Residential, Caremark Community, M Care, Shaftesbury Support Living Services, Helen Kane Nursing Services, Millbrook Court Residential and Day care, Phoenix Resource Centre and Summerhill Residential – our links with these organisations ensure our students are supported to gain valuable experience throughout the year.”

She added, “Many of our students will go on to higher education programmes but it is vital that they are aware of the different pathways and roles available across the health sector.   In addition, having work experience in the health sector will give them the edge on applications for further study and employment.   It shows they are committed to their career path and have gained valuable experience in the sector.”

Nikki concluded, “I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Susan Annett and Ciaran Mageean, our Work Placement Officers, for arranging placement providers who will support our students in gaining valuable work experience throughout this coming year and a special thanks to Jenni Rice, Tracey Flynn, and Hannah Edgar – Lecturers within the Health Team – for their support in helping me organise guest speakers from the Multidisciplinary Team.”

Find out more about health and social care courses at SERC.