Business Breakfast: Harrogate care group takes on nearly 90 university students

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Harrogate care group Vida Healthcare has taken on almost 90 nursing and paramedic placement students as part of a partnership with the University of Bradford.

Since the relationship between the two institutions began in 2020, Vida Healthcare has provided placements for 48 Mental Health and Adult nursing students and 40 trainee paramedics from the university.

These have been at Vida’s three outstanding-rated care homes in Harrogate, which care for more than 200 people living with dementia.

The patient-centred course sees the students undertake hands-on exercises, alongside equal amounts of theory work.

Vida’s healthcare director, Bernadette Mossman, who is leading the initiative, said:

“Our partnership with the University of Bradford allows students to make informed decisions about health and social care.

“It enables them to have a clearer awareness of the opportunities in social care and break down preconceived ideas about the sector.

“Offering students the chance to share best practice and work jointly has been an utter pleasure for us and allowed multi professionals to join our team at Vida, giving them their very own career pathway.”

Ithsham Tariq, Placement Development Officer in the School of Nursing and Healthcare Leadership at the University of Bradford, said:

“This has been a very successful partnership which has been built on a shared commitment to educating our future workforce in health.

“Vida Healthcare has shown that they are willing to invest in our nursing students, not only with their time but also their expertise in dementia care.”

Jespers launches Taco Tuesdays

Jesper’s Bar & Kitchen in Harrogate is planning to hold its first Taco Tuesday event of the year on Tuesday (January 9).

Jespers hosted a covert “Secret Mexican Dinner” experience throughout November, after owner Jesper Callisen spotted a gap in the market following the opening of a Mexican restaurant in Harrogate in the summer – and its closure just two days later.

Marketing artwork for Taco Tuesdays, a Mexican-themed evening hosted by Jesper's Bar & Kitchen in Harrogate.

The restaurant is now relaunching the evening, with a refined menu, as Taco Tuesday in alliance with Leeds-based HACIEN Tequila; through January, each guest will receive a complimentary tequila cocktail.

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