Every day our teams across the organisation enable remarkable things to happen by making a difference to the lives of people we support. We firmly believe that everyone should have the opportunity to flourish within their role and that it is imperative to ensure our people feel valued and appreciated for what they do, and they feel empowered to deliver outstanding care. That is why we are committed to training and developing our people, ensuring they have clear pathways through which they can progress their careers.
Linzi Russell has been selected for an apprenticeship and is currently studying for her level 3 diploma in Health and Social Care alongside Lead Adult Care Worker. Linzi shares her story.
“I had only been at Active Prospects for a short time when my manager, Laura, told me about the apprenticeship programme. She immediately said that I had potential and that the programme would be a great way for me to develop my skills, alongside progressing in my career, so she put me forward for a place. I had to have an internal interview to discuss what the opportunity would mean for me and how I felt it would help me to provide the best possible care. I was thrilled to be selected and it felt great to be recognised so quickly by my manager.
My apprenticeship focuses on mental health and I am given units of work on topics that are relevant for my area of care, so over the course of the apprenticeship I have a lot of assignments to complete. Everyone on the apprenticeship programme has external observations too. Assessors will visit me at Beech Lodge service to observe how I interact with people we support, to see what skills I put into practice and how I manage myself to provide excellent care. It is a great way of being able to show first-hand what I have learnt and the knowledge I have gained. So far, I have found the apprenticeship so interesting and due to the allocated study time, I find new ways of providing care that I would not have been aware of otherwise.
My manager now, David, has given me an incredible amount of support throughout. Sometimes there is a lot of work to do, but he is always there as a sounding board to bounce ideas off and help me in the right direction with my research – he often gives me things to read which are so helpful for my coursework. It means so much to have a team of managers who are genuinely behind me to achieve and do more within my role.
Even though it is tough at times, I have benefited hugely from the apprenticeship programme so far. It gives me focus and makes me feel like I have a purpose when I come into work. I am due to finish around summer 2020 when I will achieve my level 3 diploma. It has made me feel so valued by Active Prospects and it’s great to be in an organisation which truly invests in its people. If you want to progress then there are no barriers – the apprenticeships available are suitable for anyone who is willing to remain within this field, as it will enable them to be the best they possibly can be to give the best care.”
