Breaking Stereotypes: Cumbrian Boys Explore Nursing and Social Work Careers

A group of Year 8 male pupils from Furness Academy and St Joseph's Catholic High School in Cumbria recently visited the University of Central Lancashire’s (UCLan) Preston campus to explore careers in nursing and social work, fields where men are traditionally underrepresented.

Challenging Gender Norms

The workshop, part of the Breaking the Mould initiative by Hello Future, aimed to challenge traditional gender stereotypes. Pupils engaged in both theoretical and practical activities, including CPR training and simulated clinical scenarios in nursing, and a visit to a mock courtroom in social work.

Pupils' Reactions

Charlie, a pupil from St Joseph's, shared, "I really enjoyed doing the sessions that boys wouldn't normally do, like nursing. It was a really interesting day and made me feel like I have more options after I finish school."

Supporting Men in Care

Jason Loffman, senior lecturer in social work and founder of the Men Do Care campaign, emphasized the importance of diversity in care professions: "We need all kinds of people to work in social work, nursing, and allied health careers."

About the Initiative

Hello Future works with over 25,000 young people in Cumbria annually, helping them explore higher education and career pathways. The Breaking the Mould project specifically targets Year 8 boys in rural Cumbria, aiming to broaden their career horizons.