A dedicated event celebrated a dynamic programme that helps young people facing barriers with skills development and career opportunities in health and care.

The We Want You Widening Access Demonstrator (WAD) programme, funded by the Department of Health & Social Care, provides support to people between 18-30 years old who face the greatest barriers to employment.

This includes care leavers, young carers and young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), helping them build confidence, develop employability skills, and access clear pathways into health and social care careers.

Charlie Presley, Project Lead for We Want You and WAD at NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “This event was a really important moment to pause and celebrate what’s been achieved together.

“I’m really pleased that we’ve secured funding for a second year of the programme, and I’m looking forward to building on this work, strengthening our partnerships, reaching more young people and continuing to widen access to careers in health and care across Gloucestershire.”

Around 50 participants came together to celebrate the impact of the WAD programme including young people, NHS England national and regional teams and key partners from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Young Gloucestershire, Skills for Care, the Youth Support Team and NHS and social care employers.

The focus of the event was to consider the collective impact of WAD, share achievements and hear directly from young people about their lived experiences.

Charlie added: “A particularly powerful highlight was young people sharing their individual journeys into health and care, reflecting on increased confidence, skills development and how the programme helped them take meaningful next steps. One participant told us:

“Before the programme, I didn’t think a career in health and care was for someone like me. Having support, guidance and people who believed in me has made such a difference. I’m more confident now and feel like I actually have options.”

Making a real difference

Over the past 9 months, the We Want You/WAD team has delivered significant impact across Gloucestershire:

  • 149 young people have been supported from the most economically inactive areas across the county through a structured employability programme.
  • 80 young people have progressed into a positive destination:
    • Positive destinations achieved through the programme included progression into The King’s Trust programmes, Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Cadets, work experience, apprenticeships and employment, reflecting the breadth of supported pathways.
  • 33 young people have received job offers:
    • 20 young people have moved into employment within health and care roles
    • 13 young people have secured employment outside the NHS, highlighting our role as an anchor organisation within the local health and care system.

Ends

Notes to editors:

Award recognition

Adding to this success, the We Want You/Widening Access Team has been announced as a finalist in the C2S South-West Business Awards ‘Early Careers & Apprenticeships Award’, for the second year running. This recognition celebrates the sustained impact and quality of the programme and its contribution to widening participation and workforce development.

To find out more about WAD please email glicb.careers@nhs.net