A college has thanked a local social care business for their support over half a decade.
Suffolk New College welcomed representatives to their campus in Ipswich.
During the visit, they gave praise to Leading Lives for giving learners thousands of hours of work experience over a five-year period.
In that time, three learners have gone on to gain full time positions with the Suffolk based organisation that provides high quality support for people with learning disabilities, autism and complex needs across the entire county.
The partnership is now expected to bloom even further in the coming years, offering more apprenticeship opportunities and work placements to current and future students.
To celebrate the link up, Stuart Howell, a Learning and Development Advisor at Leading Lives, met up with Suffolk New College senior figures to discuss future projects.
Stuart said: “We have over 20 years’ experience and have won numerous national and local awards – and we are proud to work in partnership with local agencies and charities, across Suffolk and beyond.
“We have in house trainers and our own coaches, and we see apprentices as an integral part of what we do.
“As part of this, we have been working with Suffolk New College via volunteering, giving lectures to students, helping with CV writing, and talking to students about the role of a care worker. We have three members of staff who have been taken on (from the college) – and we want to take on more.
“When you come into Suffolk New College – you have the wow factor of the building – everyone is pleasant and polite – you go into lectures and students are professional. Everyone is so accommodating and passionate about what they do.
“I firmly believe that young people have got a voice and a spark and it is our job as an employer to turn that spark into a roaring blaze.
Gemma Thompson is a marketing and communications advisor at Leading Lives. Gemma said: “We get young people who come in and see things with fresh eyes. I’d say to others, the next generation has so much insight, so get involved with your local college.
One of the students who has benefited from the Leading Lives link up is Tamsin Stamp, 18, from Ipswich.
The health and social care student said: “I did a placement for eight months with Leading Lives. It improved my confidence. When I first started, I was nervous, but everyone made me feel very welcome. The skills that I have gained can really help me in the future.”
Lee Mandley is the Director of Service Industries. Lee said: “The partnership goes back five years – and from the get go – it was clear that Leading Lives are a beacon in the region for growing their own staff and giving young people opportunities. They have been absolutely wonderful to work with. We have had a number of students who have taken placements and a number of those students have now gone into the workplace. It’s a pleasure to work with them.”
Gareth Morris is the head of service industries. Gareth added, “Leading Lives offer an exceptional experience that sets them up for their future careers.”
The college is keen to work with other local care providers and is currently involved in a scheme called the Apollo Project. Daisy Bell helps oversee this scheme at Suffolk New College and explains: She said: “Apollo Project is funded by the NHS to try and get people into health and social care. My role is to marry students with health and social care businesses. We are grateful to Leading Lives for supporting our students and would encourage others to get in touch with us if they like to support their local college and give the health professionals of the future, an opportunity of work experience.”
For more details about the Apollo Project, you can visit: Apollo at Suffolk New College
For more information about the College, you can visit www.suffolk.ac.uk
For more information about Leading Lives, you can visit www.leadinglives.org.uk