Aged 14-19? Interested in mental health research?

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​Become part of the REACH team as a virtual work experience student!

​If you'd like to get involved, you can sign up here! If you have any questions, get in touch here! 

Once you have completed the sign-up form, we will be in touch with more information. ​

Why does REACH provide virtual work experience?


​During meetings with our Young Person's Advisory Group in April 2020, the REACH team heard first hand from students whose work experience placements were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They were unsure how they would find work experience for their CV, applications for jobs, Sixth Form, College or University.

​Hearing the experiences of these young people inspired us to create a virtual work experience opportunity with REACH at King's College London that could be completed entirely online. Since we launched in July 2020, over 250 young people have engaged with the programme!
From this virtual work experience, I hoped to gain more knowledge on REACH, psychology and the different aspects which are important to having successful studies. It has definitely met my expectations because I have been able to learn new skills for life!

- Virtual work experience student

So far, over 250 young people have engaged with the REACH virtual work experience programme!

We encourage anyone from REACH schools to get involved in the programme. It doesn't matter if you've left school, haven't studied psychology before or if you don't want to go to university - we have developed the placement to be interesting and useful for all! The programme runs for five days and covers a new topic each day:

  1. Introduction to The REACH Study
  2. Introduction to Psychology
  3. Introduction to Mental Health
  4. Introduction to Research Methods
  5. Public Engagement in Research

During the work experience week, the REACH team also run optional workshops for those who want to ask questions or hear more about careers, studying psychology and applying for university.
Every day of the programme starts with a group call with a member of the REACH team to introduce the topic for the day. During these calls, we encourage students to get involved, ask questions and discuss the content with each other and the REACH team as much as they like. Students are then given a work sheet and tasks to complete during the afternoon. These are designed to be as flexible as possible, allowing the students to explore their own interests and develop the skills that will be most valuable to them. 
“I hoped to understand more about REACH, psychology and how REACH works with collecting data and such. It has definitely exceeded my expectations and given me more information about not just REACH, psychology and mental health but also university, the future and the workplace.”
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 - Virtual work experience student
"The talks had a very welcoming atmosphere which encouraged me to learn more and share my opinion."

- Virtual work experience student
“The REACH staff people were so lovely and created a lovely environment which can be quite hard to do on an online class/work environment and I had such an amazing week of learning and bonding which I really needed after about 5 months without proper socialisation.”

​- Virtual work experience student


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​Get involved!


​If you have any questions or want to become a REACH virtual work experience student, you can REACH us here! 

​​We'd be delighted to have you on the team!