South Hampshire College Group students from the Early Years and Health & Social Care departments have returned from an unforgettable two-week adventure in The Gambia. There, they helped support local schools and hospitals, visited wildlife parks, and engaged in team-building activities. This trip was the organisation’s first as part of the government’s Turing Scheme.
A total of 14 students, across Level 1, 2 and 3 studies, and staff participated in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, as part of a program designed to offer enriching personal and professional development through unique work placements, exploratory visits to cultural areas of interest and supporting local communities. The cohort began their adventure with a team-bonding weekend, where they visited the country’s capital, Banjal, in addition to a crocodile park, a monkey park and a full induction. 10 days of eye-opening work placements followed, with the eight Early Years students supporting teaching at a local school, while six Health & Social Care students were stationed at a local hospital, supporting A+E, surgical and maternity wards. An activity weekend provided a valuable respite between the work placement days, during which students enjoyed a special sunrise kayaking trip and learnt valuable skills with the local community, such as cooking new dishes and caring for young children.
Kirsty Rennie, Curriculum Area Manager at South Hampshire College Group, was one of the staff members who supervised the trip. She commented: “This was truly an incredible experience for all of us, and it was amazing to see how our students culturally embraced the experience, none of whom had been to a third world country before. There were challenges to overcome, such as language barriers, intense hospital experiences and generally stepping outside of the comfort zone, but our students should be so proud of how they rose to these challenges and demonstrated professionalism and resilience.”
Sophie is a Health and Social Care student who participated in the trip. She commented: “The highlights of my experience include my favourite locations, such as the beach and the monkey park, as well as the exceptional staff at Kanifing Hospital. I would also like to express how much this opportunity enhanced my self-confidence, not only in my personal abilities but also in my capacity to engage in future opportunities. This experience allowed me to observe healthcare and professionalism within a different cultural context, particularly in a less affluent community. Furthermore, the trip provided me with the opportunity to meet new individuals and develop my social skills. I believe that my time in The Gambia has contributed to my personal growth and expanded my knowledge, creating lasting memories that I will never forget.”
Millie is an Early Years student who joined the trip. She said: “This trip really changed me so much as a person. It’s such a different environment from my experience working in an English nursery and we all felt so welcomed into the community. I felt so emotional having to leave the children because we all wanted to keep helping them, but it really makes you appreciate the simple things and how fortunate we are. I would recommend an experience like this to anyone, it really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
This trip was made possible through the Turing Scheme, a new £110 million initiative from the UK government that offers overseas learning experiences for students across the UK, with additional support for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. These fully funded trips give students experiences they otherwise might not be able to enjoy. The scheme has received a hugely positive reception since launching at South Hampshire College Group in December 2024. Further trips are already planned for Sri Lanka and Bali in March 2025, and more trips will be announced later in the year.
To learn more about the Turing Scheme, please click here: https://shcg.ac.uk/turing-scheme/.
