Students from Cheshire College – South & West have been working alongside leading construction, design and healthcare professionals to explore how sustainable travel can shape the future of Leighton Hospital.

Eleven T Level Design, Surveying and Planning students took part in an industry-led Active Travel in Hospital Design workshop, gaining insight into how hospitals can be designed to support safe, practical and environmentally responsible travel for staff, patients and visitors.

The project brought together a range of industry partners involved in the Leighton Hospital redevelopment, including professionals from Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust CBRE, Arcadis, T&T, Akerlof, Gleeds and Ryder Architecture, offering perspectives across architecture, surveying, project management and healthcare planning.

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has recently said it is committed to opening the new £1.5 billion facility in 2032, keeping existing buildings open safely in the meantime.

In January 2026, Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said it is committed to opening the new £1.5 billion facility in 2032 (Photo: MCHFT).

Deputy Principal and Deputy CEO of Cheshire College, Helen Nellist, said: "This experience allowed our students to see how construction, sustainability and healthcare design come together in practice, while building the skills they need for their future careers.

"Working on a project connected to their local hospital made the learning especially meaningful.

"We are extremely grateful to the Leighton Hospital project team and industry partners for supporting our students. Their guidance helped our students gain confidence and really understand what it's like to work on a project of this scale."

For students, the opportunity to explore a live project brought theory to life.

Liliana Chmielowska said: "Seeing a large-scale project like Leighton Hospital up close helped me understand what the industry is really like and the range of roles involved.

"Having professionals take the time to work with us was an amazing opportunity."

The workshop underlines Cheshire College – South & West's commitment to employer-led education, connecting students with live projects, supporting local regeneration, and preparing the next generation for careers in construction, design and the built environment.

Eleven T Level Design, Surveying and Planning students took part in an industry-led Active Travel in Hospital Design workshop (Photo: Supplied).

The Trust's Sustainability, Energy and Social Value Lead, James Whittall, said:  "The standard of the students' active travel proposals from Cheshire College was exceptional and genuinely impressed the MCHFT Healthier Futures team."

"Their ideas show how thoughtful, costed design can make the new Leighton Hospital healthier and more accessible from day one, for everyone."

The workshop also gave learners the chance to develop and present their own ideas for improving hospital design through active travel.

Student, Aldridge Nhenderere, added: "Visiting the site and learning about roles such as quantity surveying and project management made it all make sense.

"It has given me a much clearer understanding of how the construction industry works."

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