Encompassing the University’s core strategic goals, service learning – compounding community involvement, study and practical experience, ensures social responsibility remains central to the world-leading teaching and learning at The University of Manchester. Students engage in a variety of projects with local communities and minority groups, such as delivering educational workshops or providing vital services.

Beyond developing practical and professional skills, this approach empowers our students to become conscientious global citizens.  

Incorporating service learning into their curriculum, third year pharmacy students are running free health clinics across campus, open to our staff and students.

During the clinics students share their academic knowledge, helping visitors to identify and understand potential lifestyle risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The consultation is completed by a discussion of results, forming a tailored action plan.

Leading the initiative are Harsha Parmar and Sarah Knighton, academics in the Division of Pharmacy and Optometry.

Harsha explains: “It is really important we embed this learning into the course, we want our graduates to not only be good pharmacists but to also have that sense of responsibility for the community they live in and society in general.”

To date, the clinics have seen an overwhelmingly positive turn out, with over 100 University staff and students visiting. Reflecting on their experience, students agree it is rather fun and enjoyable. They develop their confidence both personally, through engaging with new people, and professionally, through practicing the consultation skills required for their future career in a familiar and comfortable environment.

Evaluation of the user and student experience of the health clinics helps to revise the University’s pharmacy teaching and learning framework, in line with The General Pharmaceutical Council’s training guidelines (2021), which place a greater emphasis on development of consultation skills and delivery of clinical care.

The student-led clinics will continue to run in the next semester.

•  Visit our website to access information about upcoming dates.