UCL medical students lend a helping hand to NHS staff

As doctors and nurses found themselves overwhelmed during the COVID-19 crisis, our medical undergraduates volunteered to help with childcare and shopping.

There have been many stories of kindness during the coronavirus pandemic. Our students of medicine stepped up with their own innovative scheme. 

As teaching moved online and placements were postponed, many medical undergraduates had more spare time. Our students offered their services to support frontline NHS workers. They set up the North London Medical Students Helping Hands’ Facebook group, connecting healthcare workers with volunteers. All helpers were DBS checked and had a reference from the university. They looked after children and carried out household tasks, providing both respite for the critical workers and enabling them to remain on the frontline. 

The Director of UCL Medical School, Professor Deborah Gill, said: “I am truly proud of the action of our students. We select our students based on the alignment of their values with NHS values; this is testament to the fact we have absolutely chosen the right young people to become future UCL doctors.”

Further reading
Covid-19: Medical students volunteer to help NHS staff with childcare and household chores