University of Northampton (UON) health and social care students are taking more of a lead helping their peers learn about other professional areas.
Interprofessional Education (IPE) has been an established part of health and social care courses at the University since 2018.
It provides students with a collaborative curriculum where they learn with, from, and about their peers in other programmes. This enhances their understanding of other professions and better prepares them for their future roles.
Now, a group of them are IPE Champions. The Student IPE Champions aim to break down silo working and foster a culture of collaboration through:
- Peer influence, support and role modelling
- Building a positive culture
- Addressing stereotypes and misconceptions
- Enhancing their communication and teamworking skills.
Student IPE Champion Chloe Wenham-Sanders (pictured*, second from left) is in the second year of her Midwifery degree. She says: “I was interested in becoming an IPE Champion because I really valued the IPE learning opportunities during my first year. Learning with, from and about students in other subjects helped me prepare for my placements and have a better understanding of working together when I met different professions during my time at a hospital.
“The role involves raising awareness of IPE, supporting the Schwartz Rounds – a storytelling initiative where students and staff share experiences of life, study and work – and promoting these great opportunities to other students. We also have an active role with the University’s IPE Lead in suggesting what students need from the IPE experience during their time at UON.”
One other activity Chloe and her fellow IPE Champions are working on is to deliver the University’s first Interprofessional Education Conference. It will be held on Thursday 23 April 2026 from 9.30am – 3pm in The Hide, Floor 4, the Learning Hub at Waterside Campus.
The conference is free to attend and open to all health and social care students at the University and UON academics. Places are limited so please book to attend as soon as possible.
The title of the conference is ‘Caring for Learners, learning to care: Building a compassionate and Resilient Student Community through IPE and Reflective Forums’. The programme will include keynote lectures, a Schwartz Round and networking opportunities over refreshments.
Confirmed speakers on the day will be Professor Jeremy Howick, Director of the Stoneygate Centre for Empathic Healthcare), Paul Butler and Dr Julia Pearson.
Another IPE Champion is Hiu Man (‘Sara’) Wu, a first-year Podiatry student. Sara talks about why she decided to become an IPE Student Champion: “It is a pleasure to be an IPE Champion this year. As an international student, it is a precious experience for me to meet other students with different degrees and backgrounds.
“I have interviewed a few students in my class and all of them give positive feedback about the IPE Champion role. They were thrilled to talk with students studying for different professional areas.
“We are all busy preparing for our first IPE Conference; my role will me advertising the event to spread the message about the importance of Interprofessional Education. We’re all very excited and looking forward to seeing our guests on the day.”
Students and staff can book to attend the Interprofessional Education Conference here.
Find out more about Interprofessional Education at University of Northampton or email alison.power@northampton.ac.uk
*From left to right: Anthony Fahnbulleh, Mental Health Nursing Student; Chloe Wenham-Sanders; UON IPE Lead Dr Alison Power and Emma Marks, Occupational Therapy Student.