Membership Engagement Intern Review

I enjoyed my placement with Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust emensley. I felt really engaged with the work I was set and could see how it would directly help and improve the department going forward.

I was made to feel welcome by the Communications team when I arrived. However I could sense that they were a little unsure about why I was there and what I could get done in a 6 week period. After I handed in my report benchmarking how the Trust engaged with its membership base, I felt I was accepted more by the team as they could see the quality and relevance of work I was capable of producing. This also added to my own confidence and gave me the belief that I can perform well at a high level within the NHS.

I met with my project manager on the 3rd day of my placement to discusse how I was settling in and the expectations of my role going forward. After my project was defined I was left to get on with it alone, but I felt that at any time I could contact any other team member if I needed advice or assistance. A weekly meeting was set up with my Project Manager to discusse how my work was progressing.

The first three days I was not particularlty busy, but it gave me the chance to gain a grasp of the NHS Trust and what the paramiters of my role would/could be. After meeting my project manager and agreeing a definate project which would benifit the Trust, I set myself stringent targets to get my project done to a high standard and on time and as a result was very busy for the following 3 weeks. I handed in my report 2 weeks before the end of the placement and as a result was able to produce a short report on the potential use of smartphone apps by the trust.

Although my work was very helpfull going forward. My role was not essential to the day to day running of the department. It would have been disapointing if my report had not been completed on time, but it would not have been to the detrement of the Trusts performance.

The placement was undertaken after graduating, so it did not assist me to that extent. However as I am already an NHS employee in an accute trust on pay band 2. It was of great benefit to see how the NHS works from a Corporate perspective and as a result gave me confidance and beliefe that I could perform well in that level in the future. My placement also:- - gave me an insight into the structure of a Foundation Trust and the important role communication with members, staff and the public plays within that. - furthered my communication skills through meetings with governors, directors, members and external organisations, AND taking part in and contributing to team meetings on a weekly basis. - developed team working skills as a result of work closely with a member of the membership recruitment team from day one.

I joned the Trust at a very busy time. They have recently purchased community services from Cumbria PCT and are embarking on a joint bid to with Newcastle to take over North Cumbria Accute Trust. The Communications Team play an imprtant role in the setting up of press conferences, organising press realeases around the topic and providing opportunities for staff members to talk to senior Trust managers about the bid. As a result the office and Communications Team in particular was constantly very busy and on the go!

The pacement was set up well. My project and area managers contaced me a week before my placement began to ensure I new where to go etc. My only criticism would be that for the first 3 days of my placement my project manager was on annual leave. Only one other member of the team was aware of my presence and she was only made aware 2 days before my arrival. As a result the first three days of my placement were a little dull as no one was sure what to do with me.

As someone who missed out on the NHS Graduate Scheme I feel privaliged that the NHS contaced and provided me with the opportunity to apply for a 6 week internship.

My project manager provided me with exellent feedback at the end of my placement and she stated that she would be in contact with me after the August bank holiday about a potential role within the Trust.

I was the only student on the scheme at my particular Trust and was the only male in a Communications team consisting of eight femails. This is not a critisism and I was made to feel welcome by all. All trainees on the scheme were provided with encouraged to communicate through dedicated social media sites. I was also provided with a "buddy" who is on the graduate scheme. I met her twice whilst on on placement for a casual chat at found her advice very helpfull.

My placement was close to home, so it did not cost me anything other than petrol to commute.

Commuted 45mins up the motorway to where I worked. Opportunity to soicialise outside work never arrose.

Only on placement for 6 weeks. I was un aware of any activities if any.