NHS Allied Health Professionals (AHP) Careers Day Inspires Bradford District Young People
Bringing Healthcare Careers to Life at Shipley College
On 8 July 2026, students from schools and colleges across Bradford District attended an interactive Allied Health Professionals (AHP) Careers Day hosted at Shipley College and delivered in partnership with colleagues from Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust, Airedale NHS Foundation Trust and SkillsHouse Careers & Technical Education (CTE).
The event was designed to raise awareness of the wide range of careers available within the NHS, helping young people gain first-hand experience of Allied Health Professional roles through practical workshops, live demonstrations and direct engagement with healthcare professionals.
Bringing the Curriculum to Life
Students participated in a series of immersive activities including physiotherapy, operating department practice (ODP), podiatry and theatre-based healthcare experiences. A powerful dramatic scenario portraying an individual experiencing a mental health crisis demonstrated how different healthcare professionals collaborate to deliver person-centred care.
For many students studying Health and Social Care, the event transformed classroom theory into real-world practice.
"The practical workshops proved to be a particular favourite. Students thoroughly enjoyed the hands-on podiatry session, where they had the opportunity to use Dopplers and monofilaments on one another, giving them first-hand experience of the equipment used to assess circulation and sensation in patients." Helen Waddington, Subject Leader for Health & Social Care, Bingley Grammar School
Students also witnessed infection prevention and control procedures in authentic healthcare environments, reinforcing learning from their BTEC Health and Social Care studies.
Supporting Teachers and Enriching H&SC Delivery
The event provided valuable continuing professional development for teachers attending alongside their students. By engaging directly with NHS professionals and observing clinical practice, educators gained current sector insight that can be embedded back into classroom teaching. Teachers highlighted how experiences such as the AHP Careers Day help make curriculum content more meaningful, providing real examples, contemporary industry practice and employer insight that enhances the delivery of qualifications such as Level 3 Health and Social Care.
Raising Aspirations and Expanding Career Awareness
One of the event's key aims was to introduce young people to healthcare careers they may not have previously considered.
For Year 12 student Ayman Naseer from Dixons Sixth Form, the event opened up new possibilities:
"I enjoyed the careers event and I got all my questions answered. It gave me an insight on all the other career opportunities and options there are."
NHS Professionals Inspiring the Next Generation
The day was delivered by a wide range of NHS professionals who volunteered their time to share their expertise and experiences. Feedback from facilitators highlighted the value of the interactive format.
"The informal feedback I had from all who came – staff and students – was how they like this interactive way of learning about careers." Cathy Schofield, Chief Allied Health Professional, Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust
The event also showcased the strength of partnership working across Bradford District's health and education sectors.
"The day went really well and despite a few unexpected hiccups, I think we all did an amazing job." Safina Akhtar, Widening Participation Project Lead, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Creating Lasting Impact
To extend learning beyond the event, all participating students received a SkillsHouse Digital Badge recognising the healthcare skills, knowledge and career insights they gained. Educators were also provided with access to the Aspiring Allies resource platform, enabling them to continue exploring Allied Health Professional careers within the classroom.
The inclusion of learners from a range of educational settings, including young people supported by Barnardo's, helped ensure the event reached students who may not otherwise have access to such opportunities.
The AHP Careers Day successfully demonstrated how collaboration between education providers, employers and healthcare professionals can inspire young people, enrich curriculum delivery and strengthen future talent pipelines into Bradford District's health and care workforce.
Key Outcomes
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Increased awareness of Allied Health Professional careers.
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Hands-on experience of healthcare equipment and clinical practice.
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Enhanced delivery of BTEC Health & Social Care through employer engagement.
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Improved teacher understanding of current NHS career pathways.
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Raised aspirations amongst young people across Bradford District.
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Strengthened partnerships between schools, colleges, NHS organisations and SkillsHouse CTE.
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Digital skills badges awarded to all participating students to recognise their learning.