Student Ellen Coverdale wants to be a paramedic and has found a new way of fulfilling her dream.

Ellen, 19, from Armathwaite, is one of the first emergency cadets on a new course at Newton Rigg College run in partnership with the North West Ambulance Service.

She is in her first year at the Penrith campus, being tutored by, among others, ambulance trust operations manager and serving paramedic Nick Griggs.

They were among the professionals, educators, students and school pupils who flocked to Austin Friars School recently for a new event showcasing the hundreds of roles and careers available in the health and care sectors.

Mr Griggs carried out an intubation demonstration, a vital skill paramedics must learn, at the event.

He said: “We’ve also been talking to people about the course at Newton Rigg and what it offers. Students can gain a health and social care qualification, a Btec, and other qualifications in areas such as first aid and handling during the two years.”

If they successfully complete the course students have the chance to work as an emergency technician with the ambulance service.

Ellen said: “I was at William Howard School in Brampton when I heard about this course at Newton Rigg. I knew I wanted to be a paramedic but I didn’t know how to go about it.

“Now I know that I can do my course for a year and I have Ucas points already so I have enough to go on to university where they are doing specific paramedic courses.”

Resuscitations and a mock road accident were among the practical demonstrations at the blue light and healthcare careers event in Carlisle recently.

The event was organised by Victoria McDade, resources and training leader with the Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

A similar one was held in west Cumbria, attracting around 250 people.

“The engagement events have all been about giving young people the opportunity to learn about the job roles involved in healthcare and care,” said Miss McDade.

“It has also been about ensuring the professionals who do those roles are here and can talk about what their jobs entail so young people are hearing from the right people.”

She continued: “The scenario in the gym that is the road traffic accident is about getting the young people to think about all the people it takes to help.

“Things like that aren’t just about the firefighters who turn up or the paramedics who take people to hospital. It gets the students to think about all the other things that are happening, like who took that 999 call. It is about showing them the whole story of what goes on in our healthcare system.”

Alissa Moore was among year 11 students from Newman Catholic School who attended the event.

Alissa, 15, wants to be a paediatrician.

She said: “Since I was seven I’ve wanted to be a paediatrician. I was in hospital a lot when I was little and I want to do something to help others the way they helped me.

“I’ve been talking to a woman from the hospice as she’d worked as a paediatrician and I’ve been asking about work experience.”

Fellow Newman School pupil Olivia Warwick, also 15, found out what she needs to get a place on a social work degree course.

“I want to do a degree in social work at the University of Cumbria but I know now that I’m going to need three Bs at A-level,” said Olivia.

“My mum’s been a social worker for about the last five years. She’s in Penrith and she makes a difference to people’s lives. I want to do the same.”

Miss McDade already has ideas for next year’s push including getting military medical and care staff to take part and help inspire and attract Cumbria’s future workers.

Others involved in staging the career events have included North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust, Cumbria’s Clinical Commissioning Group, Cumbria Health on Call, GP practices, North West Ambulance Service, Cumbria Constabulary, Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service and Cumbria County Council.

Training providers including Newton Rigg College, the University of Central Lancashire, Carlisle College, University of Cumbria, and RWP Training were also there.