Foundation Students Achieve Success in Their Work Experience with one Leading to Volunteer of the Year Shortlist

Six Bournemouth and Poole College Foundation students have been busy over the summer, with work experiences in varying shops, cafes and hotels – with one student leading to his nomination and subsequent shortlisting for the ‘’Volunteer of the Year Award for Bournemouth’ for 2025.  

The potential award winner, Taylor, 22, participated in a work placement as a carer’s support at Ferndown Community Support. He prepared food, and helped with catering. Taylor said: “I’d like to carry on working in care; I like it, it’s good.” Taylor says his favourite thing about the placement has been: “Talking to the residents.”

Furthermore, Sonu, 17, who is studying on the Progression Course worked at Robert Dyas’ Shop in Poole High Street - helping to make sure shelves looked clean and stocking the shelves. 

He said “I didn’t serve customers, but I did help some to find things in the shop. I worked there one day a week on a Saturday for three months. I’ve now got a job as they provided me with a reference and am now working at Holiday Inn in Poole - in the kitchen. I prepare food, clean up the kitchen itself and help customers and guests. During a typical shift, I might see 100-200 people and work from 7 am up until about 1 pm.”

Sonu added: “I have found the year to be fun yet educational at the college. The friends and teachers I gained were phenomenal. Overall, this college is the best educational institute I’ve been to so far.”

Aaron, 24, participated in work experience at The Welcome Inn Café, Bournemouth. He worked there initially for two weeks and then further throughout the summer holidays. He explained: “I prepared food including cakes, served customers but no washing up which was good! I liked it and hope to go back next summer.”

Another student, Harrison, 23, has done two work experience placements in MITS (Media and IT Services) at the college and one in Pizza Hut. His next placement will be in a mobile phone shop in October, in Poole.  He said: “I’ve never worked in a mobile phone shop before. It looks like I might be taking apart and mending the phones. It’s different to anything I’ve done. I think I’d like to work in IT maybe or watchmaking. I like watches. I like technical things and particularly rebuilding them. I’ve got a Nintendo Switch at home too, and I may be getting a new Playstation 5.”

Joshua, 22, Studying the STEPS course, participated in a work placement at Redhill Park Café in Bournemouth and has been working there for the summer holidays and beyond into the new academic term. Joshua has been stocking up, serving people at the counter, and bringing items from the back storeroom to the shop. “I have used a till before as I’ve worked at Sue Ryder charity shop, so I knew how to do this. I worked there from 10 am – 2 pm on a Sunday. It’s alright working there, I’d like to work somewhere else in the future for the variety, helping people and stacking shelves, I’d particularly like to work in The Range shop if I can, as although they have staff on the tills; they did not have a lot of staff on the shop floor, actually helping the customers, and I’d particularly like to work in that shop if I can.”

As well as the six students, Moordown Community Centre hosted a group of STEPS students on a placement during the summer term. The manager was positive about the experience, and has invited a new group (Pre-internship Steps students) to commence a group placement this year.