Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust have donated used furniture and equipment to Bede Academy to support the development of the school’s new health course and to create a positive learning experience for students. 
The donation of the furniture was made by the trust to enable students to gain a valuable experience when learning about healthcare and to also promote career pathways in healthcare.
This initiative also contributes towards the trust’s Community Promise which is a pledge to focus on all of the ways it can improve people’s lives by pushing the boundaries of what an NHS trust can be.
The promise is based on six key pillars that recognise the factors that can contribute to these inequalities. This project contributes to the Action on Education pillar which pledges to build strong relationships with schools and colleges to raise aspirations and promote the varied roles in health and social care.
Natalie Winchester, T Level in Health Lead at Bede Academy in Blyth said: “We are incredibly grateful for the donation of this equipment from the trust. The equipment will be used to educate our students about healthcare and they will have the chance to benefit from a real-life like experience. We hope this new development will spark interest in healthcare careers for our students.”
The furniture and equipment was being stored at the Northumbria Healthcare Manufacturing and Innovation Hub at Seaton Delaval and was handed over to Bede Academy on Monday 20 May 2024.
Rosie Sexton, people and engagement lead at Northumbria Healthcare Facilities Management said: “We really value the importance of working with our local community to strengthen our corporate social responsibility and this project is a key part of that. It’s brilliant to see that our surplus furniture and equipment can be used to create a positive learning experience for students and to encourage careers in healthcare.
“We were delighted to donate this furniture and equipment and look forward to working with Bede Academy again in the future.”
The new facility which will open in September 2024 for the new school year will enable students to learn about healthcare in a real-life like training environment. The furniture and equipment will be used to create a ward like training environment for students and features hospital beds and chairs.