Solent’s Estates team return to the classroom to give students a unique insight into the work of an NHS architect

Senior project manager and estates architect Kevin Walls led five presentations for youngsters at Priory School in Portsmouth as part of a careers day to highlight the wide variety of roles within the health service.

He was supported by estates project officer Kaylee White, who joined Solent NHS Estates as an apprentice four years ago and recently graduated with a first class in BSc project management from the University of Portsmouth.

Together, the pair talked about the role of an architect, working in the NHS and Kevin’s own journey into the health service.

Their presentation also featured a fun quiz to see which famous buildings the children could identify, and some examples of weird and wonderful houses, religious buildings, public buildings and hospitals from around the world.

Kevin wore a series of different hats to demonstrate how varied the role is, including a beret as a designer, a captain’s hat as a project manager, and a hard hat for the architect’s role on site.

“It was a hot day but the students were really engaged; they enthusiastically took part in the quiz and asked lots of questions at the end,” said Kevin.

“It would be amazing to think our talk may have inspired some NHS architects of the future.”

The presentation had been written by Kevin with colleague Mark Maffey, estates architect and senior project manager. Mark had been unable to attend on the day but will join Kevin for future school talks.

Also taking part in the day for year seven pupils were assistant catering manager Ronnie Parrett-Harris and chef Jim Richardson from Solent NHS Trust’s award-winning catering team.

Ronnie and Jim talked to the youngsters about catering roles within the NHS, including apprenticeships, and how food can have a major impact on patient recovery.

The pair also involved students in a taste session using different salads prepared by Jim, and discussed nutrition and menus at Solent’s community hospitals.

Kat Millmore-Davies, Education Outreach Lead with the 350+ NHS Careers Programme, said: “Our presenters will never know the scale to which they have positively impacted the students at Priory School.

“Some of the children may have been so inspired by the talks that they will now want to follow in the footsteps of the guest speakers.”

The aim of the 350+ NHS Careers Programme is to enlighten young people to the 350+ career paths open to them in the NHS, many of them offered straight from school via apprenticeships.