Supporting and Bridging the Future of Care with Our Student Placements

At Ridgeway Rise Care Home, we understand that delivering exceptional care isn’t just about what we do in the moment – it’s also about shaping the future of both our team and residents. That’s why we’re proud to support student placements by offering young people a warm and supportive introduction to care.

This month, our home has been buzzing with fresh faces, as students from local colleges and sixth forms joined our team to experience the rewarding and varied nature of care work. From aspiring nurses to health and social care students, each young person brought curiosity, compassion and a real willingness to learn.

For many, the placement has been a chance to shadow our team members and build confidence, develop practical skills, and discover what it truly means to provide person-centred care. But it’s also changed how they see care homes — often in ways they didn’t expect.

Imogen McCarthy, a sixth-form student from Great Western Academy, shared her surprise at how vibrant and welcoming the home felt. “I wasn’t expecting a care home to be so luxurious,” she admitted. “It felt like a hotel with great facilities. The activities were active and amazing – residents were genuinely engaged. I had this idea that residents just stayed in their rooms all day, but being here has completely changed that view.”

Imogen also found that her time in the home helped her grow personally, particularly through connecting with residents. “My favourite part was the pamper morning with the Activities Team – it brought a real sense of normality and joy to the residents. I’ve definitely become more empathetic and better at understanding people’s situations.”

For Marta Baciu, the placement reinforced her passion for the profession. “Working at Ridgeway Rise has been deeply rewarding. I’ve developed clinical and communication skills and seen firsthand how important empathy and patience are when working in a multidisciplinary team, especially when supporting people living with dementia or complex needs. These can be put towards the skills I am learning as a student nurse."

Other students were equally enthusiastic about the support they received from the Ridgeway Rise team. Angela Condrea, a Health and Social Care student, said: “The staff are so professional and kind. It’s been easy to adapt because everyone is so welcoming. I’ve learned so much, not just from the nurses but from the residents too. There’s such a lovely atmosphere here – everyone is happy and well cared for.”

Wing Hei also particularly valued the time spent learning how to engage with people living with dementia and said: “The Activity Coordinators were brilliant – they showed me how to connect with people in a way that respects where they are in their journey. I’m really grateful for that.”

Others, like Jenevia Fernandes and Jasmine Okoro, highlighted the friendly environment and how much they appreciated being part of the team. “It’s a tidy, well-run home with kind staff,” said Jenevia. “I’m thankful for the opportunity.” Jasmine added, “The residents were friendly and fun. I’d love to work here in the future.”

Collectively, their feedback paints a picture of our home that is not only committed to high standards of care, but also to education, mentorship and community. These placements aren’t just valuable for the students, they benefit the whole home. Our residents have enjoyed sharing stories, offering advice, and forming new friendships with the younger generation. The energy and optimism that the students bring often creates a ripple effect, lifting the spirits of both residents and staff.

By opening our doors to students, we’re investing in the future of care and are proud to be able to share our knowledge. Get in touch with Ridgeway Rise Care Home to learn more about our exceptional care services and see what makes our home such a special place to live.