A ‘committed and caring’ 18-year-old who one day hopes to become a paramedic has received a special award for voluntary work at Southmead Hospital, as part of her NHS Cadet role on the youth programme.
Sumia Mohamed, from Bristol, was handed the award by BBC One’s ‘The Traitors’ star and NHS doctor, Dr Amos Ogunkoya, at a ceremony held at Ashton Gate Stadium on Sunday (2 April). The event recognised the achievements of hundreds of NHS Cadets across the country.
Launched in 2020, in partnership with St John Ambulance and NHS England, the NHS Cadets programme is aimed at encouraging diverse careers in the NHS, and targets those growing up in care, refugees or those caring for a loved one at home.
To date, NHS Cadets has helped over a thousand underrepresented 14–18-year-olds gain experiences in healthcare and the skills needed to set them up for their future careers, with workplace experience to help enhance their CVs.
The first cohort of NHS Cadets at North Bristol NHS Trust, went through the programme at Southmead Hospital last year and graduated just before Christmas.
During their time on the programme several of the Cadets took up volunteering within the hospital.
Over the 36-week programme, Sumia spent hours volunteering at Southmead Hospital, helping with tea rounds and spending time with some of the patients who didn’t get many visitors to help keep them company.
Her dedication and commitment there didn’t go unnoticed. She said: “I always knew I wanted to work in the NHS but wasn’t sure what role to pursue. Being an NHS Cadet with St John has really helped me narrow down what I wanted to do – I can’t wait to start my career as a paramedic.”
Dr Amos added: “It’s been a real honour meeting the NHS Cadets and hearing first hand their stories and some of the battles they have had to overcome. It’s so heartening to see the perseverance and dedication from each and every one of them – who I’m sure will all go on and use this incredible experience from the programme to help set them up for their future careers.”
Since graduating from the youth programme in December, Sumia has already started using the skills she has learnt towards her future career and begun applying for paramedic science courses at universities – with the hope of accepting a place at UWE Bristol.
Leanne Reynolds, St John Ambulance NHS Cadets Project Lead said: "Sumia’s commitment to the NHS Cadets programme and the caring nature she has shown the patients of Southmead Hospital has been wonderful to see.
“She will make a brilliant paramedic, and I look forward to hearing about everything she goes on to achieve.”
There are over 100 NHS Cadets youth programmes operating at NHS Trusts and some secondary schools and Academies across the country, each lasting 36-weeks long. The young people enrolled take part in a range of 90-minute sessions delivered by experienced youth leaders. The sessions allow them to work on different activities to develop their healthcare knowledge, with opportunities to volunteer at their local NHS Trust and to learn more about the 350 different career choices available in the NHS, beyond clinical careers.
Professor Steve Hams, Chief Nursing Officer at North Bristol NHS Trust, said: “It is wonderful to see what Sumia has achieved through being involved with NHS Cadets and we are delighted that her commitment as a volunteer at Southmead Hospital has been recognised with this award.
“NHS Cadets opens up opportunities for young people in our local community who might not otherwise have access to a career in the NHS and we are proud to be working with St John Ambulance on this programme.
“It’s wonderful that being an NHS Cadet has helped Sumia decide what she wants to do in the future and we wish her well in becoming a paramedic.”
The next group of NHS Cadets will start the programme at Southmead Hospital later this month.
To find out more about the NHS Cadets youth programme in your area, how to join as a young person, or help out at as a youth leader, please visit St John Ambulance’s website.