Northumbria Healthcare apprentices will soon contribute hundreds of hours supporting local communities through an innovative volunteering scheme.

The new project offers direct-entry apprentices a unique opportunity to give back to their communities, while nurturing their passions, skills, and confidence.

Apprentices will have the chance to volunteer for various charities that align with their individual interests, which includes the environment, disadvantaged people, and animals.

The charities involved are Bright Northumbria, Feeding Families, Groundwork, Newcastle Dog & Cat Shelter, Northumberland Zoo, Teardrop, Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade, and West Northumberland Food Bank.

Each apprentice will volunteer for a full day, or 7.5 hours.

With around 150 apprentices working in the trust, this translates to no less than 1,125 hours of volunteering annually.

Rebecca Fish, apprenticeship services manager at the trust, said: "It’s such an exciting opportunity for our apprentices to engage with local charities and communities.

"Our apprentice programmes develop apprentices across the trust professionally as well as personally and this is a chance to get involved in areas that they’re passionate about."

As the trust partners with organisations across the North East, the initiative promises not just personal development benefits for apprentices, but a substantial positive effect on the wider community.

The volunteering activities are set to kick off following an application process, expected to roll out over spring/summer 2024.