Students treating hospital patients to massages

A student gives a massage to a hospital patient

College students have starting providing relaxing treatments for hospital patients, as part of their vocational studies.

The students, from Royal Leamington Spa College, are giving hand and arm massages to elderly patients at Warwick and Leamington Spa hospitals.

College bosses say the massages have worked wonders for patients whilst providing invaluable experience for the students.

The work has boosted students' confidence and enjoyed by the patients, they said.

One of the students, 16-year-old Alice, said she had enjoyed taking part in the scheme.

“It was really nice to see a smile on their faces when we left,” she said.

Frances Blakeman, salon supervisor at Royal Leamington Spa College, said students were nervous at first but came away feeling more confident.

“The patients love it too,” she said.

“It’s nice for them to have a change and someone different to chat to, especially if they’ve been in there for quite a while.”