Students show they truly care

A national award winning charity with aims to improve standards of care in the health and social care sector got the chance to challenge and influence young healthcare students at an inspirational session at Exeter College last week.

Jill Fraser, Co-founder and Director of the healthcare charity 'Kissing it better' took the opportunity of speaking to over 130 students from the college who are keen to work in health and social care careers, with the objective to outline the role of the charity and to encourage the students to utilise their talents and skills to make a positive difference to the care of patients and their carers within hospitals and care homes.

The Kissing it Better charity, winner of the Nursing Times 2012 Award, offers hundreds of simple ideas that can make the world of difference to a patient's care through training, advice and consultancy for healthcare professionals, providing a voice within major health organisations and by engaging with local communities to lift patents' spirits in hospitals and care.

Anna Rawles, health and social care lecturer at Exeter College said “We are hoping to create a close working relationship with 'Kissing it Better’ and to highlight the good work of the charity to the health and social care students and the wider college. We would like to build on today and get more students involved from the college to encourage all students to give something back to the community. It is really important that all students have the opportunity to gain work experience and develop the vital communication skills needed for the world of work, whilst making a valuable contribution to society. We're also really keen to celebrate health and social care careers – there is a tendency to focus on the negative stories nationally but we also know of the pride and passion our students have for this important sector.”

Jill Fraser from the charity highlighted how simple ideas can create a big change and said on meeting the students

“We are delighted to be here because the enthusiasm and energy of Exeter College is fantastic. We are excited to be working alongside health and social care students who share our passion of linking the community together in a sustainable way. We are hoping it will be mutually beneficial and are looking forward to learning from the students too.”

Among the students at the event was Kathryn Hargreaves who is in the process of applying for social work at university and wants to get as much work experience as possible. She said “I am very keen to get involved and will do whatever I can to help.” Lily Geraghty- Morris was also very positive adding “I would love to get involved and will happily sit and talk to patients. I could read the newspaper to them as I used to read the newspaper to my nan.”