An innovative outreach programme led by Bangor University’s North Wales Medical School has received national recognition after winning a Higher Education Liaison Officers Association (HELOA) Award for Best Practice in Widening Participation, Outreach and Access.
The award, presented at the HELOA National Conference Awards and Gala Dinner on Thursday, 15 January, acknowledges the success of a collaborative project delivered with the Reaching Wider North and Mid Wales programme, which aims to raise aspirations and broaden access to higher education among young people from underrepresented communities across the region.
By introducing children to healthcare and university life in an age‑appropriate and engaging way, the project supports long‑term aspiration raising in communities where progression to higher education is traditionally low.
At the centre of the award‑winning work is Teddy Bear Hospital, a bilingual outreach activity that brings together primary school pupils and medical students. Through interactive and role‑play‑based learning, pupils are encouraged to see university as an achievable pathway and healthcare as a possible future career.
Delivered initially at Ysgol Llanllyfni, the programme provided pupils with practical experiences normally associated with later stages of education, helping to demystify both medicine and higher education. The approach also ensured activities aligned with the school curriculum, embedding learning around health, wellbeing and confidence‑building.
The initiative has also delivered clear benefits for medical students involved in the programme, giving them opportunities to develop communication, leadership and teaching skills while engaging with the local community.
Dr Nia Jones, Deputy Head of the North Wales Medical School, said, “We are absolutely delighted to have won this award and to share the success of the Teddy Bear Hospital initiative. This work has been a genuine pleasure to deliver and highlights the strength of collaboration between Reaching Wider, medical students, paediatric resident doctors working within the NHS (particularly Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board), Ysgol Llanllyfni, and supportive university and clinical staff.
“This partnership has led to meaningful widening participation into medicine, the establishment of both a Widening Participation Student Society and a Paediatric Student Society, and the development of sustainable, student-led outreach initiatives.
“As a direct result of this collaboration with Reaching Wider, a Year 2 school engagement project is now embedded within the medical curriculum. Through this initiative, medical students will attend schools to inspire children and demonstrate that careers in medicine and healthcare are achievable for them.
“Importantly, Teddy Bear Hospital will continue in addition to this work, with two further Teddy Bear Hospital days planned for this academic year, ensuring ongoing engagement, inspiration, and impact.”
Paula Griffiths, Reaching Wider Partnership Manager, said, “Reaching Wider is incredibly proud of this achievement. This award is a powerful recognition of the role that bilingual, place-based outreach plays in supporting equitable access to higher education in Wales. Teddy Bear Hospital shows how early, positive engagement can raise aspirations and help young people from underrepresented communities see higher education as something that is genuinely within their reach.
“We are proud to support initiatives like this that deliver real, lasting change across North and Mid Wales.”
Peter Bridges, Head Teacher, Ysgol Llanllyfni, said, “This project successfully captured the children’s attention and sparked their imagination from the very first moment. It opened the door to the possibility of a future in healthcare for pupils who might never have considered this path before.
“The school is very proud to have taken part and hopes to continue the partnership, providing more opportunities like this for our pupils in the future. Huge congratulations to everyone involved in delivering such an excellent project.”
