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The Estates and Facilities team at Hinchingbrooke Hospital, has opened its doors to young people aged 16 - 24, giving them the chance to discover the many non ‑ clinical careers that help keep local hospitals running every day.  

For many young people, the NHS is seen mainly as a place for clinical staff. A new work experience initiative, which is run in partnership with the Inspire 2 Ignite programme funded by the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority, aims to change that, offering a friendly, hands ‑ on introduction to the wide range of roles that support patient care in our hospitals.  

Over a two-day period, young people can take part in workshops exploring roles they may have not heard of before, from engineering and electrical work to facilities services, which are all essential support services required to keep hospitals running smoothly and safely. The programme also introduced different ways to start a career in the NHS, including via apprenticeships, entry ‑ level roles, volunteering, mentoring and on the job development.  

Jake Chamberlin, Computer-Aided Facility Management (CAFM) & Estates Information System Manager at Hinchingbrooke Hospital (run by North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust) said: “It's hard for young people to know what they want to do, and it's completely okay not to have it all figured out. We joined this scheme to showcase to young people the wide range of non ‑ clinical careers in hospital estates that they might not realise exist.  

“We hope to expand the Inspire 2 Ignite scheme across more non ‑ clinical areas, but we've started with Estates and Facilities because it's such a vital part of how our hospitals run. There are so many opportunities, from plumbing and electrical work to cleaning, catering, switchboard and portering.

“What matters most to us is a positive attitude, qualifications can be gained over time. We can offer entry ‑ level training for 16-24-year-olds and, even if a job isn't available at the end, they still walk away with valuable experience. I also support them as a job coach, helping with applications, which can feel daunting if you've never done one before.

“The young people who come to us want to learn; they want a chance and we're proud to give them that. With the right support, they gain confidence, skills and a real sense of direction.”  

Jake welcomes enquiries from anyone wanting to learn more: Jake.Chamberlain@nhs.net