Healthcare career workshops initiative up for award

A University of Reading outreach project designed to help more people access health and life science education and careers is in the running for a national award.

HealthReach was launched in 2018 by the University and local NHS partners to address a projected shortfall in future healthcare workforce.

It has provided interactive and engaging workshops and work experience placements to thousands of school pupils and others aimed at inspiring them to pursue qualifications that lead to jobs in the health sector.

The project has now been shortlisted in the Widening Access Initiative (Outreach) Award in the NEON Awards 2024.

Alison Hall, Healthreach Manager, said: ‘We are delighted HealthReach has been shortlisted for the Widening Access Initiative (Outreach) Award at this year’s NEON Awards.

“It’s an honour to have been chosen and to be recognised for the work HealthReach does to inspire young people to choose higher education courses and careers in health.”

NEON is the professional organisation supporting those involved in widening access to higher education, and its awards have been running for 11 years.

The NEON awards event takes place on Monday 2 December at the Palace of Westminster, hosted by Dr Adam Thompson MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary University Group.

Image caption: L/R Alison Hall, Valeria Rose and Nicola Edmunds