Heartbeat: National podcast focuses on award winning programme

September 15, 2020

The Learning and Development team were the focus of an NHS Employers podcast for the work they have done around community career progression and inclusivity through recruitment.

Lawrence Kelly, Co-ordinator, Raffaela Goodby, Director of People and Organisational Development, along with Apprentice, Paulina Lapinski, all spoke about the Live and Work programme, which helps to find jobs and accommodation for vulnerable people.

Paulina said of her experience: “The apprenticeship role had a huge impact on me. I felt like I became a lot more confident and I feel like I can now do more. When I didn’t feel 100 per cent confident, there were people around me to motivate me. I feel like I have become stronger and my life has improved. The accommodation was affordable and, the staff have been very supportive. If there were any issues, I would be given help and advice.”

Paulina now works in the events team. She added: “I have been working here for 18 months, it’s great and I can progress in my role and feel supported. If I want to work towards higher qualifications, I will speak to the manager and be given an opportunity to do this.

“When I got the call to say that I had got the apprenticeship, I was excited and scared at the same time, but I knew it was a changing point in my life. I’m just happy that this opportunity was given to me.”

Meanwhile, Lawrence told NHS Employers about how the Learning Works was created.

He said: “We wanted to develop an access point for local people in our community on how to access training and careers and in our Trust.

“We identified a building that was vacant close to the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital and named it the learning works, breaking down barriers to careers in our Trust.

“As an inclusive employer, we are open to working with people and supporting them to overcome challenges such as mental health, disability or conviction. We have an honest conversation with them – and that makes them more forthcoming.”

Raffaela added: “By being more flexible in our recruitment, and by offering a role, an apprenticeship and home to a young person, the vulnerable candidates are less likely to fall into homelessness.

“We are a very much a ‘value-based’ organisation. A successful apprenticeship relies on a team to support that person into the organisation, the apprenticeship team led by Maxine Griffiths provides an accredited programme of learning and by making sure there is a holistic package of support around them as well.

“When I read a story about someone who came here as a refugee, had nothing and through our work, we’ve helped them and the impact it’s had…that’s one of the reasons I come to work.”