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Students help HEIW plan its first ever internship

Group of young people sat around a laptop

Nine students from Cardiff University have supported Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) in designing its first ever internship.

The virtual two-week programme saw the students participate in an induction event, followed by sessions on presentation skills, equality, diversity and inclusion, human factors and quality improvement, and compassionate leadership.

The group also undertook organisational safaris with several departments including nursing, pharmacy, dental and planning, performance and corporate services before completing a Bronze Improving Quality Together (IQT) module.

Having gained an insight into HEIW and the vital role it plays, the programme concluded with the group designing and presenting the blueprint for the first HEIW Summer Internship to Chief Executive, Alex Howells and other members of the senior leadership team.

Following their two-week spell at HEIW, one student said, “This experience has truly been phenomenal and entirely exceeded my expectations.

“It has been amazing learning about HEIW in more depth and understanding more of what happens, the goals and objectives of different departments and more. I’m so excited to come back again in the summer and work as a real member of the HEIW team”.

Chief Executive Alex Howells said, “I was blown away by the feedback from the students – and the fact that they had learned a huge amount in just two weeks, despite the virtual arrangements we have in place.

“They have really taken the initiative about what they are hoping to get out of the summer placements and I can’t wait to see what improvement projects they are going to be delivering for us.

“I hope this experience will really inspire them to consider future careers in the NHS, and I am pleased that there has been such a positive response to this initiative from within the organisation.”

The nine will return in July 2021 for six weeks as HEIW’s first cohort of summer interns.