For a number of years now, YMCA Wirral has been delighted to partner with the University of Chester in facilitating five-week unpaid placements, which provide the opportunity for students to develop employability skills whilst undertaking a project or piece of work that benefits our organisation.
This successful project is delivered every year and we were delighted to welcome three students this year – Caitlin, Aimee and Zoe, who worked in various teams learning about what YMCA Wirral does and the various services provided.
Placements are given to second year undergraduate students from all academic disciplines and offer the student and the placement provider a wide range of benefits that include:
- Students take responsibility for a defined project
- Offers a fresh perspective, new ideas and skills
- Development opportunities for staff
- Opportunity for collaborative working with the University
- Helps to further develop the workforce of the future
- Extra pair of hands to aid productivity
Annie Johnson YMCA Wirral’s multi-skilled support worker and student co-ordinator said the students had brought some excellent ideas and engaged in a really positive way with a wide range of service users during this year’s project. All the students were a credit to the University and had demonstrated real commitment to their work.
Nigel Hughes YMCA Wirral CEO said he was very proud of the superb links the organisation has developed with University of Chester and would encourage any employer to get involved in this really worthwhile initiative. Nigel was delighted to learn that one of the students has decided to come back as a volunteer and continue her involvement with the team and gain more of an insight into homelessness and the YMCA’s services aimed at supporting people and helping them progress in their life journey into independent living.
