South Bank Colleges welcomed the NHS Blood and Transplant outreach team to the Clapham Campus this week, giving students and staff the chance to learn how simple and life-changing blood donation can be.

Emery, part of the NHS team working to encourage new donors across the UK, spoke with students about why young people play such a vital role in keeping hospitals supplied with the blood they need. With thousands of donations required every day, the NHS relies on new donors stepping forward each year to support patients in emergency care, surgery, cancer treatment, and conditions such as sickle-cell disorder.

During her visit, Emery explained what actually happens when someone gives blood. From the quick health check and finger-prick test to the 5–10 minute donation itself, she reassured students that the process is straightforward, safe, and supported by trained professionals. She also highlighted that each donation can help save up to three lives.

Students aged 16–18 were encouraged to register as future donors and find out their blood type, while those aged 19 and above, including staff, were invited to book an appointment to donate. Many students were surprised to learn how important younger donors are, especially those with rarer blood types, and several signed up on the day.

Below, you can watch our short interview with Emery, recorded during her visit to Clapham Campus:

For anyone interested in becoming a donor or registering for the first time, you can find more information and book an appointment at blood.co.uk, or through the NHS GiveBlood app.

A huge thank-you to Emery and the NHS Blood and Transplant team for spending the day with us and inspiring so many of our students and staff to get involved.

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