A new state-of-the-art building for Health & Social Care has been officially opened during a launch event this week at Harrow College (Tuesday 10 July 2018).
The new specialist building is based at the college’s Harrow Weald Campus and provides students with high quality facilities and a modern spacious learning environment in which they can develop their passion and aspirations for a career within the Health & Social Care sector.
A number of dignitaries were in attendance including Jules Pipe, Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and Skills (Greater London Authority) who unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion (see photo above), Cllr Kareema Marikar, Mayor of Harrow and Councillor Simon Brown, Harrow Borough Council. The event was hosted by Pat Carvalho, Principal of Harrow College and Deputy CEO of HCUC. Guests included College governors, local care providers and businesses, local NHS professionals and College health & social care teaching staff.
The new building name was also announced during the event as ‘The Seacole Building for Health & Social Care’, in memory of the admired role model Mary Seacole, best known for her work in helping the sick and wounded. Mary Seacole was a pioneering nurse and heroine of the Crimean War, who as a woman of mixed race overcame a double prejudice. Mary Seacole is remembered for helping everyone she met.
Health and wellbeing is a growing area for employment locally and nationally, with new emerging specialist areas such as dementia care and autism care. This visually exciting, purpose built building comprises of a combination of classrooms and specialist training rooms that will provide students with opportunities to develop their understanding and skills with curriculum courses ranging from Level 1 to Level 3. The establishment of an external stakeholder steering group, with representation from the local NHS Trust and care organisations, is aimed at informing and supporting the future development of the Centre bringing opportunities for health and care students as well as benefiting the local economy.
Specialist suites within the building include a domestic care suite where students can learn how to look after vulnerable adults in a home setting; an orthopaedic care suite for hands-on experience of handling clients getting in/out of hospital beds and learning how to operate the beds; a nutrition laboratory where specialist health diets can be devised and prepared; an exercise suite where students can learn about exercises suitable for specific health needs and a triage room, for learning how to assess the needs of vulnerable clients in emergency situations.
Speaking after the event, Jules Pipe, said:
“Health and social care skills are of vital importance to the future of our city, and this impressive new facility will help London plug a worrying skills gap. I was delighted to open the centre and see first-hand that money from the Mayor’s Skills for Londoners Capital Fund has been put to such good use in Harrow.”
Pat Carvalho added:
“Harrow College is delighted to open this fantastic new building. Health & social care is a very important sector within our society and one in which the local community will benefit. We are proud to welcome new students to The Seacole Building for Health & Social Care and I am confident that we can play an important role in helping our students successfully reach their future aspirations”.
To view all courses at Harrow College starting in September 2018, click here.