The Virtual Work Experience week is a widening participation programme led by Professor Elizabeth Dick and Mr Raymond Anakwe in partnership with Imperial College, Imperial College Health Care Trust and Sutton Trust. The initiative aims to improve opportunities in medicine for non-selective state students from underrepresented backgrounds. 

This year, the Virtual Work Experience week took place on the 4th July and had 500 students aged 16-18 in attendance. Students had the opportunity to gain first-hand insight into what a career in Medicine entails from Medical students, Doctors and Consultants. The students’ daily schedules were packed with various interactive sessions like Surgical simulations as well as practical sessions offering advice on how to get into medical school.   

The Work Experience and Medical Education team plan on offering a half day face to face clinical experience in this Autumn term and will be piloting a local school mentoring scheme.