As part of National Apprenticeship Week, 14th-18th March 2016, the apprentices at the Brothers of Charity Services in Lancashire took the chance to take part in work placements, at the organisations’ range of social enterprises, away from their current roles.
The apprentices were asked about what they enjoyed doing and were matched to the social enterprises based on their interests. The apprentices were able to get involved with arts and crafts, gardening, baking, customer service and looking after animals.
Throughout the placements, the apprentices were able to learn more about what the Brothers of Charity Services does and people’s individuality, choice, rights and aspirations are supported on a day-to-day basis.
Jonathan, a Level 2 business admin apprentice based at Lisieux Hall visited the Walled Garden and Roccoco, he described his placements as ’Three Wonderful Days’.
At the Walled Garden, Jonathan took part in the routine cleaning and feeding of the animals and turning the soil in the flowerbeds to dry it out. He also spent two days in Roccoco, one in the bakery baking crumbles and scones and the other front of house, making coffee and serving customers.
Jonathan said “I really enjoyed getting to know some of the people we support – something that I seldom have the chance to do in the office. I met a number of interesting people, I especially enjoyed baking with Chris at Roccoco and gardening with Brin at The Walled Garden.”
“The placements helped me see first-hand how deeply instilled person centred care is within Brothers of Charity Services, the people we support really did seem to be at the forefront of everyone’s minds above and beyond the actual practice of gardening or running a café. It was all about the enjoyment of those we support, and what THEY were gaining from being there.”
Darcie, who is also studying for her Level 2 in Business Admin at Lisieux Hall said a lot of her tasks throughout her placements in the Marina Café and Network 50+ were focused on working with the people we support, and helping to cater for their individual needs.
Darcie said “I found my placements inspiring, eye opening and joyful. I really enjoyed getting to know some of the people we support, and look forward to seeing them again if they come to Lisieux Hall”.
Julie Gelder, Regional Director of HR explained “The placements were set up so that Apprentices could better understand the wider service delivery, the types and impact of activity we provide and the range of people we support. It gave them the opportunity to take part in some hands on activity working alongside Brothers of Charity Services colleagues and the people we support.
“I would hope on reflection that the apprentices now consider the impact of their own job and how that contributes to the services we deliver for the people we support.”
The Brothers of Charity Services’ exciting programme is aimed at people aged 16+. Apprentices are recruited based on values, attitude and potential rather than solely experience and qualifications.
As a Brothers of Charity Services Apprentice, they benefit from invaluable work experience, a range of company benefits, on-the-job professional training, pastoral support and consummate line management from business professionals which enable them to achieve a vocational qualification over a 12 month period (Level 2 Diploma in Business Admin which also includes Functional Skills).
Their qualification and assessments are delivered on site through Runshaw College in Lancashire and Liverpool Chamber in Merseyside. Currently there are 8 Business Admin apprentices at the Brothers of Charity Services in England studying Level 2 and Level 3.
The Brothers of Charity Services is constantly reviewing where apprentices would be suited to roles within the organization, there are currently a number of roles advertised on the website.
Social enterprises that took part in the apprenticeship week placements included:
· Roccoco, a coffee house and bakery in Leyland
· The Walled Garden, historic kitchen garden in Worden Park, Leyland
· Pets Corner, looking after animal residents in Astley Park, Chorley
· Creative Arts, arts and crafts for the people we support
· Hands on Gardening, gardening team
· Heaton Street Gardening, gardening team
· The Marina Café, a café in Chorley
· Network 50+, a community project/ drop in centre for people over the age of 50.
