Meet Abbey – Health and Social Care Student Placement

Studying Social Work at the University of Winchester, Abbey joined us in December 2022 for a 4-month placement. During her placement, Abbey will be working alongside our Dementia Support team, almshouse welfare team and our Hand in Hand team to gain experience and knowledge to compliment her health and social care studies.

Evalynn (Communications, PR & Marketing Officer) spoke with Abbey to find out how she’s getting on so far.

Evalynn: Hi Abbey, thank you for talking with me today. How have you found your placement with St John’s so far?

Abbey: I have really enjoyed my placement at St John’s Winchester and I look forward to all the further learning I will experience. Working with the dementia team and seeing first-hand the role of an Admiral Nurse is improving my knowledge of what other practitioners do and what they offer to help people in the community.

Shadowing the team also highlights the available services in Winchester for people with dementia and their carers to support them in living safely and happily.

Evalynn: Are there any other areas of St John’s that you are looking forward to getting involved with?

Abbey: I am looking forward to working with the residents of the almshouses and getting to know what the residents like about St John’s. Knowing what the individual using the service thinks about the charity will help me improve my practice and see what services like St John’s do for them. I am also hoping to get involved with the welfare team to see another aspect of care that St John’s offers. 

Evalynn: Do you feel that completing a 4-month placement at St John’s will support your studies and your future career aspirations?

Abbey: Completing my 4-month placement at St John’s will definitely massively benefit my practice and knowledge in health and social care. The depth of knowledge that the staff at St John’s have will give me a catalogue of provisions and procedures for working with people. Getting out into the community and going to people’s houses allows me to improve my skills and get to know what it is like managing caseloads.

Evalynn: Thanks Abbey. It’s great to have you on board!