More than 50 students from across Hampshire attended an event at Taunton's College in Southampton to learn about careers in health.

The students, from five different colleges, met allied health professionals (AHPs) and explored the range of careers available in the field.

The event, held on Tuesday, September 24, offered practical, hands-on sessions to give attendees a real taste of the roles they could pursue.

At the end of the day, 39 students expressed interest in either an AHP placement or a position as an AHP support worker.

This outcome was seen as a great success by the organisers.

The event also served as a platform for AHPs and other staff to network and discuss strategiesThe event also served as a platform for AHPs and other staff to network and discuss strategies (Image: NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight)

The AHP roles include art, drama and music therapists, dieticians, physiotherapists, paramedics, radiographers, speech therapists, occupational therapists, prosthetists and orthotists, podiatrists, and orthoptists.

Pieter Joubert, AHP workforce lead at NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight, said: "It was great to see everyone working together across NHS trusts, local authorities and higher education institutions, to deliver a fantastic event promoting and celebrating all the amazing careers available as an allied health professional in Hampshire and Isle of Wight."

The event also served as a platform for AHPs and other staff to network and discuss strategies to attract more people to AHP roles in the region.

Students from Andover College, Queen Mary’s College in Basingstoke, Richard Taunton Sixth Form College, Itchen Sixth Form College and Havant & South Downs College attended the event.

The initiative forms part of the NHS 350+ careers programme, which seeks to inform students of all ages about the wide array of jobs within the NHS.

It aims to dispel the myth that all NHS roles involve a hands-on medical or care aspect.

The programme highlights the vital roles that non-clinical staff play in supporting, educating, and developing the services that the NHS can offer.

For anyone interested in exploring these and other roles in healthcare, more information can be found at hiow350careers.nhs.uk.