More than 120 Bromley students attended a two day Society, Health and Development Conference at the Education Development Centre. Organised by the Bromley Education Business Partnership (BEBP), there were dedicated days for both GCSE, A level and Diploma students.

Lesley Holland from the BEBP said: “For those students studying Health and Social Care it is a great opportunity to talk to those working in areas as diverse as midwifery to the design and fitting of prosthetics. These workshop days would not be possible without the efforts of so many of our volunteer partners – healthcare specialists who have given up time and commitment to share their knowledge and experience. Organisations involved in this event included the Kings Healthcare Rehabilitation Centre, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Bromley Social Services, Victim Support, Chelsfield Park Hospital and the South London Healthcare NHS Trust.”

One of the workshops was lead by Tom Shrubshall who is an advanced operating department practitioner at Chelsfield Park Hospital and a former Ravens Wood student. The 24-year-old said: “Not many people know much about my job but I love it and I love talking about it! We play a vital role supporting surgeons in the operating theatre. It is great to have the chance to come and give something back by helping young people making their career choices. It is so beneficial for them to be able to talk to the people actually doing the jobs and to learn the reality behind the job title in so many diverse areas in one day.”

Susan Anderton accompanied students from Darrick Wood School and said: “It is enormously beneficial to get the opportunity for students to have access to different areas of healthcare represented at the conference.” Darrick Wood pupil Samantha Cole, 17, added: “I was interested in being a paramedic but this has given me a new perspective in so many different but related roles that can really help with my career choices.”

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