A former pupil from a Wallsend high school has had the best prognosis for his future after being prescribed an apprenticeship with Healthwatch.
Healthwatch Newcastle and Healthwatch Gateshead cover all publicly-funded health and social care services for both adults and children. They work hard to champion the rights of people using services in their areas and, secondly, act as a watchdog to ensure that social care and health systems correctly engage with the public. Their work covers people from all aspects of life, both young and old, which is a factor that has a positive bearing on staff development and recruitment.
Joining the Healthwatch team is 16 year old Harry Malby from Battle Hill in Wallsend. The ex-Burnside High School student has secured an administration apprenticeship and is looking forward to learning everything from data bases to customer service skills.
“This is a great opportunity and I’m enjoying the experience of doing a job that is helping to shape the way that people are looked after in Newcastle and Gateshead. I particularly enjoy creating databases of research findings and putting into practice things that I have been taught at school.”
However, Harry isn’t the only apprentice to have been employed by Healthwatch.
Killingworth-based Beth Nichol (22) started working with the team as an apprentice doing the same role as Harry. Just three years later she has gained NVQ Levels 3 and 4 in business and administration and currently has the position of Finance and Administration Officer within the organisation. Beth is looking to progress further by studying for a higher level NVQ in leadership and management.
Healthwatch Newcastle and Healthwatch Gateshead CEO Steph Edusei is a great believer in self-development and investing in today’s young people. As an active Girl Guide leader and someone who runs her own management consultancy, ‘A New View’, she is an advocate for providing support, guidance and training to anyone who wants to achieve more and fulfil their business ambitions.
“Having young people working in our team creates a buzz that encourages everyone and it’s an important part of our team development. Beth is a shining example of how, with the right mentoring and support, a young person can achieve a lot within a relatively short period of time. The signs are good for Harry too and we are delighted to have him on board.”
Ends
Photo shows Beth with Harry (Credit: Highlights PR)