Sunshine Hospital has been a hive of activity in recent months, with students from local schools working on a number of projects.
Students from St Albans Senior Secondary and Copperfield College were given a special presentation last week, after their weekly sessions neared completion.
Nearly 100 year 11 students from the two schools have been working on making mosaic wall art, wind chimes, bird houses, a sun dial, a remembrance tree, recipe books, garden beds and activity boards at the hospital as part of their VCAL studies.
Western Health community engagement Jo Spence said the arrangement had been fulfilling for the students and the hospital.
“Through these partnerships, the students gain knowledge and hands-on experience of project management, budgeting, communication and meeting deadlines,” Ms Spence said.
“This prepares them for life outside of school. The relationship has also been able to give our staff the opportunity to mentor and work with teenagers.
“This assists them in developing their communication skills and also gives students some insight onto what it is like working in the health sector.”
Ms Spence said students got a first-hand look at how their projects were making an impact.
“The partnerships have had great successes in students being able to get some knowledge about some of the health issues that are of concern in our local community – dementia and depression, in particular.
“They have been able to make a direct connection between their projects and how they impact on our staff and patients’ wellbeing while they are in hospital.”
