Writtle University College and ARU have merged. Writtle’s full range of college, degree, postgraduate and short courses will still be delivered on the Writtle campus. See our guide to finding Writtle information on this site.

The Nursing and Midwifery Patient and Carers Group

Working together to support the development of future nurses and midwives

Students graduating from the School of Nursing and Midwifery at ARU will become the nurses and midwives of the future. We work with former and current patients, families and carers to help prepare our students with a skills-set that ensures that they:

  1. know how to communicate and interact with patients from an early stage
  2. can effectively care for patients and their carers or family members
  3. develop the attributes and professional attitude to function effectively as a nurse or midwife.

Some of our students are already registered nurses who are studying at a more advanced level of practice. These students need to work with patients and carers to develop skills in clinical assessment and non-medical prescribing practice.

Who are Nursing and Midwifery Patient and Carers group?

The Nursing and Midwifery Patient and Carers group are volunteers who provide an invaluable role in the development and training of our students. We enlist the help of patient and carer volunteers to contribute to a range of learning resources including face to face, small group work sessions, vodcasts and podcasts which help our students develop both their communication and care delivery skills. In this respect students will be better prepared when on clinical placements in hospitals or the community.

Why do we need patients like you?

We need volunteers to help recruit and train our student nurses and midwives.

Simulated patients Simulated patients volunteer to ‘act’ as patients, allowing our students to learn how to undertake consultations, perform examinations and practice procedural skills - such as taking patients’ blood pressure and heart rates.

Clinical patients Clinical patients who have an existing or long term medical condition, volunteer to discuss their symptoms and condition with our students in order to increase their knowledge and understanding of different conditions from the patients’ perspective.

Experience Our students enjoy hearing from service users/patients, women and their families who have experienced a range of care and birth in a variety of settings. We are also keen to hear from partners and fathers about their experiences.

Interview panel members As a patient or carers volunteer you’ll also be invited to be a member of the recruitment panel and interviewing potential candidates.

How do I join?

If you are interested in taking part in this invaluable work with us, we ask you to complete and return the short Nursing and Midwifery Patient and Carers group application form.

We’ll consider your application and ask you to attend a short, informal selection interview. Once accepted into the group, we’ll provide you with any necessary training including an induction session to the role and equality and diversity training.

Where will the volunteering role take place?

Teaching and assessments will be held in the School of Nursing and Midwifery in the William Harvey Building at our Chelmsford campus and at the Young Street Building at our Cambridge campus.

How often will I be required?

There is no maximum or minimum number of times you would be required as this will depend entirely on your availability. However, we would normally ask you to commit to a minimum of two half-days across the academic year.

Ready to sign up?

Simply download and fill out the application form and either scan and email it back to us or pop it in the post.

Want more information?

Send an email to [email protected] for further details on the group.