Hands-On Care Experience Brings Learning to Life
9 June 2026First year Level 3 Health and Social Care learners at Coleg y Cymoedd’s Nantgarw campus took part in the college’s first-ever ‘Care in Action Day’.
The Health and Social Care team of tutors wanted to boost learner engagement and enhance traditional pedagogy through hands-on, sector-led training.
Combining their passion for teaching with their knowledge and expertise within the Health and Social Care sector, lecturers created ‘Care in Action Day’, allowing learners from Aberdare and Nantgarw to explore the realities of working in health and social care in an engaging and interactive way.
Classrooms at Cymoedd’s Nantgarw campus were transformed into immersive healthcare settings where learners took part in nursing workshops. Complete with a triage station, equipment training, realistic patient diagnostic scenarios, and midwifery-focused activities, learners experienced what it is like to put theory into practice.
Later in the afternoon, learners took part in activities designed to boost their knowledge of human anatomy and how this relates to healthcare roles and midwifery as well as emergency resuscitation for health care workers.
Next year, in their second year of study at Cymoedd, Aberdare and Nantgarw groups will be combined so ‘Care in Action Day’ has also been a great opportunity for learners to work collaboratively and get to know each other ahead of time.
Assistant Head of School for Health and Social Care, Caitlin Broom- Janaway and lecturer Ashleigh Searle collaboratively planned and prepared for the day. Their excitement and enthusiasm for delivering essential course information in a more realistic and engaging way made ‘Care in Action Day’ unforgettable.
Ashleigh explained: “Our ‘Care in Action Day’ was designed with student engagement at its heart, giving learners the opportunity to gain a real insight into life as health and social care professionals.”
Caitlin added: “Activities like these help learners connect the theory they study in the classroom to real-world practice, bringing their learning to life in a meaningful and memorable way. It has been incredibly rewarding to see learners building their confidence, developing practical skills, and preparing for future careers within the sector.”
Learners commented on how Care in Action Day’ boosted their confidence, as they were able to take on different roles within a multi-disciplinary team to problem-solve, diagnose, and create treatment plans for a simulated patient.
Laci Tovey, aged 17 from Treharris started the course in September 2025 and said: “Today has really helped me realise why I am pursuing my passion of becoming a midwife. I was able to step into different health care roles which is exactly what I want to do after college.”
Aberdare
Wellington Street
Aberdare
Rhondda Cynon Taff
CF44 8EN
Nantgarw
Heol y Coleg
Parc Nantgarw
Cardiff
CF15 7QY
Rhondda
Llwynypia
Tonypandy
Rhondda Cynon Taff
CF40 2TQ
Ystrad Mynach
Twyn Road
Ystrad Mynach
Hengoed
CF82 7XR
