VU Polytechnic students provide humanitarian aid with the Australian Red Cross

VU Polytechnic’s Certificate IV in Mental Health CHC43315 students, Hayley Armstrong and Caitlin Freeland, were given a rewarding experience to learn on the job and give back to the community by completing their placements with the Australian Red Cross and assisting with the recent storms in the Yarra Ranges.

The two students were deployed for three days as part of the emergency services division and had firsthand experience in supporting the Yarra Ranges community by providing Psychological First Aid to those physically, psychologically, emotionally and/or behaviorally affected by the natural disaster.

Student Hayley Armstrong commented on the experience, “It was such an amazing opportunity and experience to see how everything runs in real life rather than over the phone and to put the uniform on and get out there. I met some great people and convinced Caitlin to come out and join the deployment as well. We had a great time.”

I decided to continue to volunteer for Red Cross into the future as it’s an amazing organisation proving amazing support for community members and I feel like I learnt so much in those 3 days in the field. Thanks VU for linking us into Red Cross for placement and thank you to our teachers for their continued support.

A big thank you to Certificate IV Mental Health CHC43315 students Hayley Armstrong and Caitlin Freeland for their services and congratulations on a successful placement. Thank you to teachers Kristy, Andrew and Community Services Manager Priscilla Fowler for all their hard work and commitment to VU Polytechnic students.