Student Case Study: Jemma Walker – Four Seasons Health Care
We recently caught up with Adult Care Apprentice, Jemma Walker, to gather her feedback on how she discovered her Apprenticeship programme opportunity and how it’s going to date.
Jemma told Qube: ‘I’ve been working in care for nearly seven years. When I first started, I didn’t know if it was for me but as I’ve gone on, I’ve realised how much I really like the job. It feels like I’m doing my part for the community. I have chronic fatigue syndrome, so it is challenging most days, but it helps me keep going.
‘I heard about the Apprenticeship at my last job in the community, and was put forward by my Manager. The reason why I applied for the Apprenticeship was because I wanted to gain more knowledge around my role and to better myself, I’m one for wanting to progress and learn new things. I enjoy gaining new knowledge from the Apprenticeship. I’ve learned to treat people with more equality, I’ve gained knowledge on what people pick up on with how you present yourself, through the units I’ve done about mental health and different disabilities and illnesses. I’ve gained knowledge on different triggers and warning signs and changed how I am at work, with a more positive attitude than I previously had. This is in addition to looking at how other people are with the residents and making suggestions on how they can better what they’re doing.’
‘I would tell anyone considering an Apprenticeship to go for it. It’s hard work and can be challenging, but it also renews your love for what you do, as you’re gaining knowledge and finding ways to better yourself. It’s worth it even just to become a better Carer and find new and better ways of looking after the people in your role.’
‘My biggest challenge is focusing on the work and retaining information. I’m still working on this, and although I can apply the information to my work, if I were to be asked questions on what I’ve done and about the different units, I would find it hard to relay information.’
‘I’m trying to overcome this by making notes, as I tend to remember a bit more through this. I am currently taking on more roles at work and will be training for a senior position soon, so I would say that is my next step and to just keep on trying to make myself a better Carer.’
‘I enjoy the job and don’t really see it as work, I see it as helping people that need it and making a difference to someone’s life, even if it’s just listening to them or making one person smile a day.’
For more information on current Apprenticeship opportunities available at JD Group, via the Qube recruitment division ‘Qube Talent’, please click here.
