The search is on to find vet nurses of the future as a leading Essex veterinary centre launches a pioneering outreach programme.

At a time when students and colleges are being disrupted by COVID-19, Southfields Veterinary Specialists, in Laindon, is striving to help young people into the profession with a two-pronged online approach this month.

Senior vet nurses at Southfields Charlotte Fennell and Amber Cooke have put together a comprehensive presentation about the life of a vet nurse, which will be online on the Southfields website from Monday, May 11.

They will follow that up on Thursday, May 14 with a Facebook Live session, in which they will tackle questions posted by members of the public and any would-be vet nurses who have tuned in.

Southfields operations manager Sarah Stam said the pioneering approach was aimed at supporting young people in particular who are hoping for a career in the veterinary world.

She said: “We’ll explain what qualifications are needed to start a nursing career, what sort of training is involved and exactly what a registered vet nurse does.

“The Facebook Live should be a really great, interactive experience, with Charlotte and Amber addressing specific questions sent in by members of the public in real time.”

Charlotte, who is a senior medicine nurse at Southfields, will share her route in the industry.

She said: “From a young age, I knew I wanted to work with animals, so I’m excited to be able to help and guide young people who have an interest in veterinary nursing to follow in my footsteps.

“Being a vet nurse is a hugely rewarding and enjoyable job and we’re looking to connect with teenagers who may be wondering if this could be the career for them.”

Amber, a senior ward nurse at Southfields, added: “My parents had always told me that, as a young child I was always convinced I would become a vet!

“Like Charlotte, I am really pleased to be involved in this project and to be able to share my RVN journey with our next generation of aspiring veterinary nurses.”

The pair have been prevented from doing a face-to-face presentation to interested teenagers due to the current COVID-19 lockdown restrictions but they’re hoping going online can attract an even bigger audience.

For more information about Southfields’ Vet Nurse initiative, visit www.southfields.co.uk or search for Southfields Veterinary Specialists on Facebook.

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