Harrow College Beauty and Media Make-Up students recently took part in a national campaign to help make time in hospital that little bit more enjoyable. The 'Kissing It Better' campaign aims to enhance healthcare through the application of simple creative ideas.
Enthusiastic students from Harrow College were invited to get involved with the campaign. Eight learners studying Beauty and Media Make-Up spent time at Watford General Hospital armed with lots of beauty and make up material. Their idea was a simple one – to interact with patients and in doing so, bring a smile to lots of faces. Half of the students went to the children's ward and offered face painting whilst the other half provided manicures and hand massage to the Elderly patients.
Their efforts were also timed to coincide with International Older Person's Day and National Play Week which were both being supported by the Hospital. The activities laid on by the students were a great success allowing all involved to come together and celebrate.
The positive impact of this event has resulted in Harrow College planning to extend these activities into a more regular occurrence by visiting the hospital on a weekly basis during term time. Not only is this a great opportunity for students to work in the local community, it also helps to build student confidence and important employability skills.
Carole Richardson, representative from Kissing it Better joined students on the day and was immensely proud of what she saw. Commenting after the event she said;
"The students were a credit to Harrow College and the Beauty and Media Make-Up department, especially as it so early in their programme. Immaculately and professionally turned out with an adaptable approach to the new situations they found themselves, the students were able to modify the treatments they gave according to the surroundings and were not phased at all! Hospital staff and patients were delighted with the visit".