Two students are working to recruit a national network of advocate undergraduate and newly qualified radiographers to deliver radiography awareness sessions in primary and secondary schools.
Nichola Jamison, a therapeutic radiography student from Ulster University, and Rupert McClaren, a diagnostic radiography student from University of Exeter, are two of 150 students across the UK selected for the Council of Deans Student Leadership 2019 programme.
Now in its third year, the partnership between the Council of Deans of Health and the Burdett Trust, aims to develop leadership skills in the future allied healthcare profession workforce.
New to the programme this year, each student must design and implement a project, individually or as part of a team, and Nichola and Rupert decided to work together.
“We decided on this task following the recent disappointing news of the therapeutic programme closure in Portsmouth,” Nichola said. “Diagnostic and therapeutic radiography remain professions which are often pursued later in life. We believe that harnessing the enthusiasm and lived experience of students and newly qualified radiographers may create a useful and energetic channel of communication, promotion and advocacy for the profession to a younger audience.”
Nichola and Rupert are delighted to be part of this year’s cohort and looking forward to embracing all the benefits it offers. “The programme has provided us with a platform from which we can advocate for our profession and its future, while being surrounded and encouraged by visionary leaders who continue to push us forward towards our goals,” said Nichola.
“We would recommend this programme to all students. It has been so inspiring to be around so many other likeminded and passionate undergraduates, and so empowering to be encouraged by strong professionals who want us to succeed at every turn.”
The Student Leadership Programme provides students with a training programme which places leadership at the forefront of their journey, encouraging them to form valuable partnerships with service users and other health professionals in order to deliver the best possible care to patients. If you would like to know more about the programme and how to apply, please visithttps://councilofdeans.org.uk/studentleadership.
For regular updates on the work of Nichola, Rupert and the 2019 leaders cohort, you can follow #150leaders on Twitter.