Apprentices experience Sanctuary Supported Living

Apprentices working with Sanctuary Supported Living (SSL) have spoken about the benefits and opportunities their roles offer to mark National Apprenticeship Week.

Health and social care apprentice, Morgan Williams, and business and administration apprentice, Mariam Asif, say their apprenticeships are a great way to continue their studies while gaining valuable work experience.

Morgan is based at SSL’s Oleander House, in Telford, which provides supported housing for people with a variety of learning disabilities.

Her role sees her working closely with residents to ensure their needs are met and help them to live as independently as possible.

She said: “My apprenticeship is a great way to get hands-on experience in the field of health and social care while studying for a qualification at the same time.

“Every day is different, I’m constantly learning new things and I enjoy working with different clients and forming close relationships with them.”

Mariam’s apprenticeship sees her working with SSL’s Contracts and Support team, where her responsibilities include setting up, amending and extending contracts for clients receiving support services.

She also spends time working with SSL’s Marketing team, helping to promote the brand to a wider audience and contributing to successful initiatives such as Ready, Steady, Grow 2019 – a gardening competition open to all SSL residents.

She said: “My apprenticeship offers me the chance to learn while I earn and develop both life and work skills.

“I would definitely recommend Sanctuary’s apprenticeship programme to anyone. It’s a great and diverse scheme and an amazing starting point to gain skills and experience in a working environment.”

Sanctuary’s award-winning national apprenticeship programme has been running since 2008, supporting over 1,800 young people into work during that time, both directly within Sanctuary and through development partners.

The programme provides apprentices with a meaningful career path, on-the-job training, support to achieve nationally-recognised qualifications and the opportunity to earn while they learn.

National Apprenticeship Week (4-8 March 2019) is an annual event, organised by the National Apprenticeship Service, which celebrates the talents and skills of apprentices and the value of apprenticeship programmes.

I would definitely recommend Sanctuary’s apprenticeship programme to anyone. It’s a great and diverse scheme and an amazing starting point to gain skills and experience in a working environment.

SSL Apprentice, Mariam Asif