<p>Hi, I’m Lola, and I am a Senior Maternity Support Worker Apprentice (the senior healthcare support worker apprenticeship on the maternity pathway). This is my first professional role in the NHS, as I previously completed Innovate and UHBW Traineeship courses at Weston College which helped me develop soft skills to start in this role.</p><p>Some of my roles and responsibilities within my apprenticeship include:&nbsp;</p><ul><li><strong>maternal and neonatal observations&nbsp;</strong></li><li><strong>catheter and cannula removal/care</strong></li><li><strong>heel pick blood sample on neonates&nbsp;</strong></li><li><strong>breastfeeding/feeding support&nbsp;</strong></li><li><strong>escorting patients to various hospitals and appointments&nbsp;</strong></li></ul><p>The list could go on and on!</p><p>I’d say my favourite part of the job is the relationships you build with the patients. When you can just give somebody that listening ear and offer that emotional support, especially postnatally at 3am when it’s needed most. It’s those little moments where you can make someone’s experience just that bit better.</p><p>Some of the main skills I have learned during my apprenticeship so far are interpersonal skills and communication skills when speaking to colleagues and patients. I have also learned technical skills within the role such as observations, taking out cannulas and catheters (very satisfying to take out), and showing empathy when working with exhausted mothers.</p><p>The traineeship I completed helped me by giving me exposure to the world of the NHS through the 6-week placement in St Michael’s Hospital, which helped me to see what was needed to be successful in this industry. I also underwent dedicated sessions to develop employability skills which helped me get the apprenticeship, as well as sessions ran by industry experts regarding health care and UHBW specifically. At the 2024 Business Awards, I won the <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/news/business-awards-celebrate-learner-and-emp…, Sport &amp; Community Partnership Award</a> - watch my video from this below!</p><p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0muha84HEeI?si=7xnh8ZuFoQz-ILXE&quot; title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> &nbsp;</p><p>My tutor (Laura Trace) provided support every step of the way, with every concern I had, and helped me believe I was able to do it. My assessor (Jenny Gamlin) provided me with experience backed advice and guidance due to her own work history in the field and her knowledge of the apprenticeship itself in preparation for my transition into the apprenticeship.</p><p>I have 16 months left of my L3 SHCSW apprenticeship. Once completed, I want to move onto a degree midwifery apprenticeship programme with the view of becoming a fully qualified midwife.</p><p>To anyone who is interested in pursuing this career, I would say there will be rough patches that are exhausting and emotionally draining (a big struggle within healthcare), so just make sure you speak up and ask for support, and you’ll come out of the other side. I would also like to give a special thanks to Gareth Brock (who I started at Weston with in innovate) who I was too scared to talk to in the beginning, but has been extremely supportive, as well as Laura Trace (TRA tutor) for listening to all of my anxiety induced ramblings, and Jenny Gamlin (my assessor) who now listens to my healthcare/NHS struggles. In other words, I wouldn’t and couldn’t have done it without them!</p>

<p style="margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Sadik Al-Hassan, Labour MP for North Somerset, visited Weston College to engage with students, offering inspiration to the next generation while gaining insights from young people on potential changes and improvements for his campaigns. &nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Sadik was elected in July 2024 and brings nearly two decades of experience as a pharmacist; a background that strongly influences his political interests and initiatives. </span></p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Sadik Al-Hassan answering a question at the Q&amp;A&quot;" data-align="right" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ebde2899-8818-4f6c-b51b-01a7d36e8020" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_500x500&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p style="margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">His visit began with a Q&amp;A session with Politics and Economics A Level students, where he shared his journey from pharmacy to politics and how this transition has shaped his campaign. This session provided learners with valuable insights into entering politics and an opportunity to discuss his views and policies. &nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Following the Q&amp;A, Sadik joined Weston College Principal, Pat Jones, and Deputy Principal, Alex Warner, as part of a panel for a Dragon’s Den-style activity. Here, students from A Level Environmental Health<strong> </strong>presented innovative ideas to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Weston-super-Mare. From litter-picking initiatives and improved public transport, to AI-powered waste bins and electric car vacuums, students showcased well-researched, confident, and professional proposals. The panel questioned each group before selecting a winner based on research, feasibility, and sustainability, encouraging students to consider small but impactful ways to drive change and make a difference. &nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Given Sadik’s extensive background in pharmacies, a tour of the Health and Active Living Skills Centre was a key part of the visit. Sadik explored the impressive Health, Social Care and Sport facilities, such as the Medical Simulation Room, and observed a Level 2 Health and&nbsp;Social Care lecture, where students simulated real-life patient-carer scenarios to develop empathy and practical skills. &nbsp;</span></p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Sadik Al-Hassan standing with Weston College Principal, Pat Jones&quot;" data-align="right" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b28ca288-a6bd-48bb-a780-4cd8e1d8f2fc" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_500x500&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p style="margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">The visit concluded with a lunch meeting with Student Representatives, where discussions focused on student-led initiatives, strategies, and the changes they’ve implemented to improve Weston College based on peer feedback. &nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Sadik was impressed with the professionalism and insightfulness of our learners, saying, “It was wonderful to visit Weston College to meet the hardworking teams and amazing students. Having a chance to talk with them all and answer their questions was a privilege and more than a little enjoyable for me. &nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">The entire day I met with students representing the hopes of North Somerset, whether quizzing me on assisted dying or showing me projects that could solve our climate crisis, they showed how bright our future could be.”&nbsp;</span></p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Sadik Al-Hassan participating in a Q&amp;A with Politics and Economics A Level students&quot;" data-align="right" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e7340711-051a-480e-9787-f45611c9f21e" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_500x500&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p style="margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Overall, Sadik Al-Hassan’s visit left learners feeling inspired and empowered. His journey into politics demonstrated that career paths are not always direct and linear, encouraging students to pursue their ambitions, regardless of where they start. &nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">We would like to say a big thank you to Sadik Al-Hassan for taking the time to visit our students and provide meaningful advice for their future.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0;margin-top:16px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0;margin-top:16px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;"><strong>If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College </strong></span><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&amp;utm_medium=main-…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&amp;utm_medium=main-…; target="_blank"><span style="color:#37797B;font-size:inherit;"><strong>here</strong></span></a><span style="font-size:inherit;"><strong>. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.</strong>&nbsp;</span></p>

<p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">This week, former Weston College student Charlotte Nottage returned to give a guest lecture to the current </span><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/healt…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/healt…; target="_blank">Level 3 BTEC Health and Social Care</a><span style="font-size:inherit;"> learners with her journey and insights into the available career paths made possible by their studies. &nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Charlotte also completed a </span><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/healt…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/healt…; target="_blank">Level 3 BTEC Health and Social Care</a><span style="font-size:inherit;"> at Weston College before progressing to University Centre Weston (UCW), accredited by UWE,&nbsp;to study a Foundation degree in Biological Laboratory Science. She is now completing a top up year at UWE to gain her&nbsp;BSc degree and has recently been accepted onto a master's program in Applied Transfusion and Transplantation Science at UWE, where she will work with leading specialists at the NHS Blood and Transplant headquarters in Filton.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">During her guest lecture, Charlotte shared how the Health and Social Care course at college provided her with both classroom and real-world experience, opening her eyes to laboratory sciences which she may not have previously discovered. It allowed her to progress to university to continue her studies, providing her with many exciting opportunities and career pathways including biological and biomedical research, environmental sciences, and food sciences. &nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">To give the learners a better understanding of her university course, she outlined the modules and subjects that she has studied, including current modules such as medical microbiology, neuroscience, and developmental science, to create&nbsp;a clear picture of what the course entails.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Charlotte also emphasized the critical role of internships and work experience in building her career. Not only did she complete industry placements at college, but she also went above and beyond during her degree by completing a summer internship at Thatchers, where she explored the chemistry behind cider production. According to Charlotte, not only did this experience enhance her lab skills but it also provided her with fantastic transferable skills that could be applied to practical scenarios.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">The session was interactive and engaging, with Charlotte asking questions, offering tips, and providing guidance that she wished she had received as a student. Her advice made a more meaningful impact because she had been in the learners’ position not long ago.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Samantha Kier, our Health and Social Care Lab Technician, reflected on the impact of the session, saying “Charlotte gave the learners lots of tips to get the most out of their BTEC qualification which I think was really useful, and it was really valuable for the learners to see how diverse the future career paths open to them are.”&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Thank you to Charlotte for visiting our learners and giving them an idea of what their future could look like whilst broadening their understanding of potential careers.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/healt…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/healt…; target="_blank">If you are interested in applying to a Health and Social Care course, click here.</a><span style="font-size:inherit;">&nbsp;</span></p>