West Herts Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is inspiring the next generation of healthcare professionals with the launch of a new Youth Volunteering Medical Society at Watford General Hospital.
The youth-led initiative has been designed to support young volunteers who aspire to careers in medicine and wider healthcare, providing them with early exposure to the profession and guidance on medical pathways.
The Trust already supports a strong cohort of over 220 volunteers aged between 16 and 25, making 51% of the Trust’s active volunteers. Many choose to volunteer to gain valuable real-world experience while preparing for university applications in medicine and related disciplines.
The newly established society builds on this foundation by offering a structured and supportive environment where aspiring medical students can deepen their understanding of the profession.
Members of the society will take part in workshops, benefit from peer support, and gain practical insights into healthcare careers. The programme will also provide guidance on the university application process and highlight the diverse routes into the healthcare field.
A key driving force behind the initiative is the Trust’s Volunteer Coordinator Charlotte Mansell, whose commitment and leadership have been instrumental in bringing the society to life. Her work underscores the important role that hospital volunteering services play, not only in enhancing patient experience, but also in developing the future healthcare workforce.
Student leadership at the heart of the youth medical society
The Society is led by two Year 13 volunteers in the roles of Chair and Vice Chair, and is overseen by the Trust’s Youth Volunteer Coordinator.
The society is chaired by Jatheeshan Anandarajah, a Year 13 student from Watford and a volunteer at Watford General Hospital, who hopes to pursue a career in medicine himself. He is joined by Vice Chair Shubber Fatlawi, a fellow Watford student and hospital volunteer.
The idea for the society came from the pair’s involvement in their school medical society. Recognising that many hospital volunteers did not have access to similar opportunities, they wanted to create a platform that could support and inspire as many young people as possible across the Trust.
Youth Volunteer Coordinator Charlotte plays a key role in the initiative’s success. Her leadership in Voluntary Services has helped young people take charge of the Society while ensuring it remains supported, sustainable, and aligned with the Trust’s goals. Her efforts show how good coordination in NHS voluntary services can help young volunteers lead, innovate, and grow into future healthcare professionals.
The Youth Volunteering Medical Society shows the wider impact of NHS Trust voluntary services. It demonstrates how getting involved in the local community can inspire, educate, and empower young people to choose meaningful careers in healthcare.
By supporting young volunteers now, the Trust is helping to build the healthcare workforce for the future.
Vice Chair Shubber says volunteering has significantly boosted his confidence and interpersonal skills: "Volunteering has strengthened my confidence when interacting with a diverse range of people and has given me real insight into the healthcare environment.”
Jatheeshan played a key role in ensuring the society’s successful launch, organising speakers and delivering his own presentation at the inaugural event, which received overwhelmingly positive feedback.
The society’s launch event featured talks from Dr Gajan Kengatharan, Emergency Department Registrar at Watford General Hospital, and Dr Tom Pierce, Cardiac Anaesthetist and Intensive Care Consultant from Southampton.
Creating ongoing opportunities to learn, lead and connect
Looking ahead, the society plans to host face-to-face sessions every few months, with the next event scheduled for May, focusing on applying to medical school. Monthly online meetings via Microsoft Teams will also help members connect, share experiences and support one another.
Charlotte Mansell, Youth Volunteer Coordinator, said: “What makes this initiative so special is that it is truly youth-led. These young volunteers aren’t waiting for opportunities; they are creating them. Our role within Voluntary Services is to support, guide and empower them, and the result is a programme that builds confidence, ambition and real insight into healthcare careers.”
“They are the future of our workforce, and initiatives like this ensure that the future is in safe and capable hands.”
Interested in volunteering at West Herts?
If you are interested in finding out more about volunteering opportunities at West Herts, please visit our website for more information.