Live Active Leisure’s Wellbeing Team is proud to support the development of future healthcare professionals through hands-on, community-based placements that benefit both students and the wider Perth and Kinross community.
Throughout May, two medical students from Dundee University completed a four-week Student-Selected Component (SSC) placement, shadowing the wellbeing team full-time.
From care at home visits (one-on-one activity sessions in the home) to aqua-based physical activity sessions, students experienced the full scope of the service. Their placement concluded with a creative presentation, shared with peers, tutors, and stakeholders, demonstrating their understanding of how community wellbeing initiatives can reduce care needs and improve quality of life.
“These placements give students a unique opportunity to see how preventative health works in practice,” said Ian Hutton, Health and Wellbeing Manager at Live Active Leisure. “They don’t just observe; they contribute ideas, ask great questions, and help us reflect on our own impact.”
The team also welcomed:
- Five students for two full-day sessions focused on the Activity Referral Programme.
- A dietetic student from Abertay University for a 12-week, part-time placement.
- A Dundee University student for a one-day placement exploring the Aqua Referral Programme.
These placements are designed to be mutually beneficial. Students gain practical insight into how physical activity and wellbeing services support long-term health outcomes, while the team benefits from fresh perspectives and student-led reflections.
The Activity Referral Programme, a key focus for many students, offers tailored physical activity sessions to help individuals manage or improve medical conditions. Delivered by qualified instructors, the programme is accessible via referral from a registered healthcare practitioner.
Live Active Leisure also supports ad hoc placements through a Work Placement Referral process. Strong links with local universities and public health teams ensure that students regularly discover and engage with the service.
These placements continue to demonstrate the power of collaboration between education and community health services. By embedding students in real-world wellbeing initiatives, Live Active Leisure not only supports the next generation of healthcare professionals but also strengthens its own service delivery through fresh insights and shared learning. As the demand for preventative, person-centred care grows, these partnerships are proving essential in shaping a healthier, more resilient Perth and Kinross.
