As July marks National Work Experience Month, students joined teams across the hospice for a week of hands-on learning and career insight, gaining valuable experience while discovering more about the vital services Keech provides.
From Marketing and Communications to Retail, Finance, Education, Fundraising and our care teams, each student followed a tailored programme designed around their interests and aspirations. The week gave them the opportunity to explore different career pathways, understand how a modern hospice works, and experience first-hand how Keech’s role as a teaching hospice extends beyond patient care to education, training and professional development.
As part of the experience, the Marketing and Communications team hosted dedicated learning sessions covering branding, social media, content creation, photography, video editing, public relations and market research. Five students were given the opportunity to shadow team members, attend meetings, work on live projects, and present what they had learned at the end of their placement.
The week was carefully planned to give each student a meaningful and engaging experience. Students were encouraged to ask questions, develop new skills, and gain practical workplace experience that could support their future education and career choices. It also reflected Keech’s commitment to creating learning opportunities that help people grow in confidence, knowledge, and capability.
Among those taking part was Ishah Waqar, an apprentice in Keech’s Learning team, who spent time with the Marketing and Communications team to deepen her understanding of internal and external communications, and the role marketing plays within the organisation.
Reflecting on her experience, Ishah said:
“Spending time with the Marketing and Communications team has been both enjoyable and incredibly valuable. Everyone was so welcoming and supportive, and I felt like part of the team from the start.
The experience gave me a real insight into the work the team does and helped me develop a much better understanding of the role marketing and communications play within Keech. I learned about the differences between the two functions and how they work together to support the organisation’s goals.
One of the things that surprised me most was the amount of planning, time and resources that go into creating high-quality photography and content for campaigns. It was fascinating to see the process behind the scenes.”
A Level student, Reece Williamson, spent the week with the Marketing and Communications team, where he developed his knowledge of digital media, content creation, and brand communications.
Reece said:
“My work experience at Keech was incredibly rewarding and insightful. It provided me with valuable exposure to a professional working environment while allowing me to further develop my video editing and content creation skills.
One of the most interesting aspects of the placement was learning how organisations use brand guidelines to maintain a consistent visual identity. Understanding how to create content that aligns with these standards was a new challenge and gave me a greater appreciation of the planning and attention to detail involved in effective communications.
The experience has strengthened both my workplace skills and my digital media knowledge, giving me practical experience and insights that will be hugely beneficial as I continue my studies and explore future career opportunities.”
We’re proud to have welcomed this year’s work experience students to Keech during National Work Experience Month. As a university hospice, we’re committed to creating opportunities for people to learn, develop, and grow.
By opening our doors to students, apprentices and future professionals, we’re sharing knowledge, broadening understanding of hospice care and helping inspire the next generation of talented people who may one day make a difference in their own communities.
While National Work Experience Month provides a fantastic opportunity to celebrate these experiences, Keech supports work experience and volunteering placements throughout the year. If you’re interested in gaining valuable insight into hospice care and developing your skills in a supportive environment, get in touch.