Solent students learn from local Health Promotion experts

Solent students from the BSc (Hons) Health, Exercise and Physical Activity course have been having a series of guest speakers to talk to them about physical activity initiatives within the city.  As part of their 2nd year Physical Activity and Public Health Interventions unit, students need to understand current national and local policy and strategy on physical activity, but also how this is being implemented in Southampton.  So far, students have learnt about active transport initiatives, and the complex issues of working with new communities. Also scheduled are talks on active workplaces, sport development, healthy communities and health trainers.  Senior Lecturer and unit leader Dr Marie Stopforth said, "not only does this give the students a fascinating insight into the work that is currently ongoing in the city, but it also allows students to forge valuable links with local employers including Southampton City Council and the NHS. Last year, one student gained part time employment in a health promotion setting as a direct result of this, and another will be carrying out his 3rd year project in conjunction with the Health Promotion team at the City Council."

Nuffield Health's Physiology and Recruitment Manager visits Solent.

On Thursday 31^st March, students at Southampton Solent University studying BSc Health, Exercise and Physical Activity, BSc Fitness and Personal Training, and BSc Applied Sport Science were treated to a guest lecture from Paul Jarvis, Physiology and Recruitment Manager at Nuffield Health and Wellbeing.

The talk outlined potential graduate career pathways for students within Nuffield Health, including Health and Wellbeing Physiologists, Wellbeing Advisors and Personal Trainers. Nuffield currently employ over 4000 clinical practitioners and are the leading UK provider of on-site corporate wellness services, as well as being the second largest network of fitness facilities and the largest UK provider of health assessments.

Course Leader for the BSc Fitness and Personal Training, Martin Skivington, stated, “the presentation highlighted just how focused our degree courses are in terms of providing relevant career pathways to our students. Nuffield Health identified our courses as being the perfect platform for students to pursue a promising career within their company. Hopefully the talk inspired students to take advantage of the many opportunities available to them at Solent to gain practical vocational experience that will further enhance their career prospects”.

Former Solent health and fitness student, Chris Jones, holds the position of Professional Head of Physiology at Nuffield and has also returned to provide guest lectures. 

Guest lecture for HESS students from Southampton City Council's Dave Shields.

Southampton Solent students got an insight into how Southampton City Council work to make the city's communities healthier this week.  Dave Shields, manager of the Healthy Communities team, gave a guest lecture to a group of Health, Exercise and Sport Science students studying Physical Activity and Public Health Interventions, outlining some of the excellent work that goes on within priority neighbourhoods in the city.  The students were given an overview of the state of health in the city, and learnt about innovative schemes such as the Thornhill Health and Well-Being project.  They also gained an insight into physical activity interventions such as Walk, Talk and Eat, which aims to help to get residents with mobility issues out into the fresh air to gain some exercise.  Dave has been working collaboratively with Solent's Dr Marie Stopforth to enable students to get practical experience of working in a physical activity intervention within the city.  Dr Stopforth says "This type of partnership work between Solent and Southampton City Council will improve students' practical skills and knowledge, whilst making them more employable, and providing important networking opportunities".

Personal Training students start client training sessions.

Students on the Fitness and Personal Training, Applied Sport Science and Health, Exercise & Physical Activity degrees working towards their Personal Trainer Award will be starting their training sessions with real-life clients next week. These sessions allow the students to train individuals in our dedicated teaching gym to improve their health, fitness and well-being. This practical aspect of the course provides invaluable work experience within a safe, supervised setting, and allows students to refine their skills as fitness professionals and enhance their employment potential. In addition, students are asked to reflect on their fitness interventions and to analyse the reasons why their clients achieved the results they did. Needless to say these sessions are extremely popular, not just for the students themselves but also for the clients who receive up to 12 weeks of free personal training. The unit is led by Martin Skivington, who states: "the integration of practical, real-life experiences into academic units provides fantastic opportunities for our students to enhance their instructional skills, not to mention their chances of getting the job they want when they graduate."

Guest lecture for HESS students from Southampton City Primary Care Trust

Jenny Davies from Southampton City Primary Care Trust came in to Solent this week to give a guest lecture to the Health and Fitness students who are studying Physical Activity and Public Health Interventions. Jenny is a nutritionist, and leads the Fit for Life strategy for the Southampton area. She gave the students an insight into her role within the PCT, and discussed the skills and knowledge that are essential for gaining employment in this area. Jenny has also agreed to set up a short work placement where students can get hands on experience of working on a physical activity project in the city. Dr Marie Stopforth hopes to be working closely with Jenny in the future to provide students with further opportunities to become involved in research projects in the area of physical activity and public health.