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Target Medicine volunteers
 

 

What is Target Medicine?

UCL is committed to widening participation to ensure those with the ability, regardless of their background, will have the opportunity to apply for and succeed in higher education. UCL Medical School also recognises the importance of a diverse NHS that better reflects patients and their needs.  

Target Medicine (TM) is UCL Medical School’s Widening Participation initiative aimed at raising the attainment and aspirations of young people from underrepresented backgrounds into medicine.

Through Target Medicine we aim break down barriers to Medical School, support, guide and empower young people from diverse backgrounds with the potential to study Medicine, and help create an NHS that is reflective and understanding of a changing national population.

All events are free of charge. Students who take part in Target Medicine programmes are from non-selective state schools around Greater London who meet selected eligibility criteria.

Target Medicine currently comprises of the following programmes:

  1. Target Medicine Mentoring Scheme 
    A 12 month mentoring scheme for high achieving Year 12 students from underrepresented backgrounds aspiring to become doctors.
  2. LondonMed Summer School 
    A week-long programme for Year 12 students considering a career in medicine. The summer school is a London-wide collaboration between UCL, KCL, St George's, Queen Mary and the Medical School's Council. It provides students with an insight into studying medicine in London and gives them an opportunity to experience what it’s like being a medical student through hands-on workshops, projects, and an opportunity to work with real patients.
  3. Summer Challenge: Doctor’s Dilemma 
    A series of courses over six weeks for Year 12 students to explore medical ethics and different perspectives on a range of ethical issues. The programme encourages critical thinking and debate, and gives students valuable practice at crafting academic essays.
  4. Target Medicine Outreach 
    A series of aspiration raising events for pupils across key stages 2, 3, 4 and 5. Current events include Meet the Doctor, UCAT and BMAT information sessions and mock exams, admissions and interview preparation, and Target Medicine: BECOME - A one day event for Year 9 & 10 students from African and Caribbean backgrounds to explore what it’s like going to university and studying medicine

 

What is the Target Medicine Mentoring Scheme?

The Target Medicine Mentoring Scheme matches 240 sixth form pupils with 60 UCL medical students, and provides guided lessons and targeted information, advice and guidance to support pupils to become more competitive medical school applicants.
 
The programme recognises that although young people from underrepresented backgrounds may have the aspiration, desire and ability to study medicine, they may not receive the necessary support and guidance when making their applications. The TM Mentoring Scheme aims to rectify this.

The work of volunteer mentors takes place to fit with the whole of the application process and therefore runs over a calendar year rather than an academic year.

As a volunteer mentor on the Mentoring Scheme you and your team would work with a small group of sixth form students to give them a better understanding of what is needed to be a successful applicant to medical school. You would provide structured support and guidance to them throughout the application process.
 
There are several volunteer roles within the Mentoring Scheme:

  • Mentor: responsible for mentoring a small group (~4) of sixth form students and working your team of TM Mentors
  • Team Leader: responsible for mentoring a small (~4) group of sixth formers and leading a team of TM Mentors.  Medical Students must have mentored for at least one year to apply for a Team Leader role.
  • Deputy Student Lead: responsible for supporting the student lead in coordination and management of Mentoring Scheme.  Medical students must have mentored for at least one year to apply for Deputy Student Lead.
  • Student Lead: responsible for supporting team leaders and mentors, coordinating and managing lesson plans and mentoring sessions, and working closely with the Target Medicine Manager and Academic Lead for oversight over Target Medicine. Medical students must have mentored for at least one year to apply for Student Lead, with preference given to those with Team Leader experience.


What training and support will I receive?

As a Target Medicine volunteer you will be fully trained in mentoring, presentation skills, child protection and safeguarding and group work. This training takes place on Wednesday evenings during the autumn term. The scheme is structured to ensure every volunteer mentor is well supported by team leaders, peers and staff.

What’s in it for medical students?

  • The opportunity to inspire and enable others to study medicine
  • The satisfaction of contributing your personal experience with the next generation
  • The opportunity to mentor school/college students
  • Working with like-minded peers
  • Training opportunities
  • Gaining key transferable skills including team work, event organisation, teaching, presentation, project management, leadership and group work
  • Priority for paid work opportunities within Target Medicine
  • Recognition through the Volunteering Services Unit
  • Supporting a worthy cause
  • Fun!

How to apply for the 2022/23 programme:

Applications are now open for the 2022/23 Target Medicine Mentor Scheme!

There are seperate applications forms for the position of Team Leader, and Team Mentor. 

To apply, please read the application guidance and complete your application by the relevant deadline below. 

Please note: different year groups will have different application deadlines due to varying university start dates.

Deadline to apply

Team Leader Applications

Y4 & Y5: 10am - Wednesday 28th September 2022
Y2 & Y3: 10am - Monday 3rd October 2022

Mentor Applications

Year 2 SSC Applicants: 10am - Monday 3rd October 2022
All other applications (including Y1 SSC): 11:59pm - Wednesday 5th October 2022

 

 

Target Medicine logo
““Target Medicine has reminded me how privileged I am to be a medical student, and how much I want to help enable anybody who wants to be here to get here.”
““Target Medicine is a great opportunity to work with young people from backgrounds not well represented at medical school.”
“Knowing you are making the difference to students who otherwise would not have any support with their applications is a fulfilling and rewarding experience.”
“It’s been amazing to see the development of many of the students in Target Medicine and their progression over the year.”
“During my time with Target Medicine I have had the opportunity to mentor, teach and perform presentations, learning skills that will prove very useful throughout my medical career."