Teen cadet who volunteered on End of Life ward receives award from TV star
An "exceptional and dedicated" teenager, who volunteered his time to help patients receiving end of life care at UHDB, has been given an award in recognition of his efforts.
Aymen Boud, who is 17-years-old, was handed the award after taking part in the NHS Cadets scheme, which saw him spend 36-weeks helping colleagues care for patients and their families on Ward 2 at Florence Nightingale Community Hospital in Derby.
Launched in 2020 in partnership with St John Ambulance and NHS England, the NHS Cadets programme is aimed at encouraging diverse careers in healthcare, and targets those growing up in care, refugees or those caring for a loved one at home. To date, the scheme has helped more than 1,000 underrepresented 14 – 18-year-olds with workplace experience to help enhance their CVs.
Aymen, who wants to train to become a doctor, received his award at a ceremony celebrating NHS Cadets from across the country earlier this month, with BBC One’s ‘The Traitors’ star and NHS doctor, Dr Amos Ogunkoya, personally presenting him with his accolade.
Aymen said: “It’s been such an amazing experience volunteering through the NHS Cadets programme. I’ve learnt so many new skills, and worked alongside fantastic people who were always extremely supportive. I look forward to carrying on developing these skills to help me become to best doctor and person I can be.”
Clare Hicklin, Sister on Ward 2 who supported Aymen during his time with the team, said his enthusiasm shone through during his placement:
"He always has a smile and shows great initiative to assist the team. Everyone on Ward 2 is very happy to see Aymen recognised for his hard work in volunteering and wish him well in his chosen career."
Since graduating from the programme in December 2022, Aymen has already started using the skills he learned towards his future career and begun applying to study medicine, recently receiving an offer to study at University of Leicester to help him towards his dream career.
Amanda Rawlings, Chief People Officer at UHDB, said it is important to champion schemes like the NHS Cadets programme and commended Aymen for the difference he has made to the lives of patients and their families.
She said: "To be able to work in collaboration with programmes like the NHS Cadets scheme is a great way to showcase not only the great work we do at the Trust, but also how young people like Aymen can add value to our patients and communities.
"It has been great hearing from the team on Ward 2 about how Aymen went above and beyond during his time there, even volunteering on Christmas Day, to be there for patients receiving end of life care and their families.
"At UHDB we welcome the opportunity to help young people learn and grow and it is vital that we endorse programmes like this to continue to strengthen our workforce and provide exceptional care to all of our patients, visitors and communities."
Kelly Rawson, St John Ambulance NHS Cadets Project Lead said: “Aymen was one of the first NHS Cadets to be offered a volunteering position at the hospital, and throughout the course he showed an extraordinary dedication to the hospital's patients and his studies. His warmth, helpfulness and cheeky smile never ceased to brighten up everyone’s day. I wish him every success in his future career – the NHS will be extremely lucky to have him.”