Explore Health & Care Badges
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We are thrilled to present the ‘Explore’ Healthcare professions Girlguide Challenge badges, developed by South Warwickshire University Foundation NHS Trust in collaboration with the Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care System (ICS).
The challenges are designed to support leaders in delivering fun, accessible activities that spark curiosity and build awareness of healthcare careers. They’re a great way to help children and young people learn how different healthcare roles make a real difference in their communities. The six Explore Challenge Badges focus on careers in:
- Nursing
- Midwifery
- Podiatry
- Occupational Therapy
- Operating Department Practice
- Diagnostic Radiography
Each challenge offers flexible activities that can be easily adapted for your unit and the facilities you have. By completing the challenges with your group, you’ll help inspire young people to explore future opportunities in healthcare while developing their teamworking skills, confidence and compassion.
All 6 of the challenges can be undertaken by Rainbows, Cubs, Brownies, Scouts, Guides and Rangers groups. A digital workbook is provided that takes participants through a set of practical and theory-based tasks, appropriate to their age.
The challenge pack contains:
- A workbook packed with fun activities based on different areas of the profession
- Resources and Answers
These introduce key skills, build confidence, and give young people a realistic insight into what working in health and care is like.
Who can take part?
The badges are currently open to all uniformed groups across Coventry and Warwickshire, including:
- Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers
- Cubs, Scouts
The programme is non-gender specific and supports the Integrated Care Systems commitment to widening access to healthcare careers, encouraging local employment, and helping young people see themselves as the future health and care workforce.
How it works
1. Register your interest
Click the link below to complete a short data-capture form.
2. Choose which profession specific badge you would like to complete
3. Download the workbook
You’ll be able to access electronic versions of the workbooks for each badge.
4. Complete the activities
Young people have up to six weeks to work through the tasks with their leaders/teachers.
5. Apply for the badge
Once completed, you can submit your group’s details to request their Explore badges.
6. Optional simulation visit
Groups who complete a badge may have the opportunity to attend a simulation or immersive learning session (subject to availability).
Why take part?
- Inspires children and young people to explore future health and care careers
- Builds understanding of key health and care roles with real-world context
- Supports curriculum links, STEM activities and personal development outcomes
- Encourages confidence, teamwork and problem-solving
- Helps the local health and care employers to develop their future workforce
Over 100 young people have already completed the Explore Nursing badge, and interest continues to grow across Coventry and Warwickshire.
Start your Explore Badge journey
If you’re a group leader interested in delivering an Explore badge:
- Complete the registration form
- Once the form has been submitted, you will be emailed your chosen workbook and will receive a follow up email to confirm the number of badges needed once complete
- Support your group to earn their badge
Guide leader feedback:
“We have become more understanding of people and their needs. We have gained awareness of other careers in the NHS that could be interesting to consider in future.”
Brownie feedback:
“I liked doing the recovery positions and the blind tasks, also the toast making one.”“I learnt how Nurses practice observations on patients using the A B C D E approach. I learnt that there are 350 NHS careers.”