Student Placement Contact Scheme

"Placements" - what thoughts does that word conjure up? I immediately go back to arriving on my first ever placement. It was one of those old fashioned cottage hospitals, due to close in a few years and the state of the accommodation reflected it. The other physio student had been placed on a different floor to me and all the other residents were already in their own little cliques. We found the kitchen but it appeared that we were the only people who ever used it. Neither of us had been able to carry kitchen equipment with us and for tea that night had baked beans, warmed up in a microwave, eaten out of a glass. That night I sat in my dank, bare little room and wondered why I hadn't done an engineering degree instead!!

Of course things improved, it helped to meet the staff and learn what was expected of us. We found the local takeaway and the (very small) hospital canteen. The work kept you busy in the evenings and although I never really got to meet anyone else apart from the other student I managed to escape at the weekend and stay with a family friend who lived a few miles away.

Everyone's experience of placement is different but most people I have talked to have been nervous about going to a new place and would express some sense of relief to find out that 'Aunt Marge' has a friend whose daughter lives nearby the town. There is something about having a name and telephone on a piece of paper that makes you realise that you not quite as stranded in the middle of Swanage as you thought you were.

What are the benefits of having a link Christian professional?

1. A name on a piece of paper- someone nearby who knows that you exist.
2. Having contact with someone who understands the world of hospitals, difficult patients, supervisors and what it feels like when you ask someone to wiggle their toes, forgetting they're a bilateral amputee.
3. Most importantly it's a link with another part of the Christian family. Someone who will pray for you and maybe with you, who can help you think through what to do in an ethical dilemma and maybe introduce you to a church in the area.

Being one of the Christian Link Professionals:
There isn't a specific job description for a Christian link professional. We are on the lookout for any member who would be prepared for their name and contact details to be given to a student AHP (not necessarily the same discipline) coming to the area. You would also be informed of the students name, when and where they are on placement and any contact details (if known). It is then up to you what happens next. The student may contact you but also feel free to make first contact. Take it from there - it may be that the student is happy enough knowing that you are on the end of a phone or it may be that you decide to meet up and have a meal together.

To join the scheme:

PROFESSIONALS: Contact us and let us know that you are happy for your details to be given to students on placement in your area. For safety reasons you will need to be a member.

STUDENTS: When you know where your placement is then contact us on email@ctn.org.uk. (This scheme is only available to members). We will see if there is someone to link you with and send you their details. We will also pass your details onto the link professional.