The Edge - January 2023

10
Amazing alumni Lauren King shares heart-warming
message about her time at college
#TheCareerCollege
We recently caught up with
former health & social care
student Lauren King. Lauren,
who progressed on to study at
Edge Hill University and is now
working in the health and social
care sector.
Lauren studied Level 3 Health
& Social Care at the college
after having heard nothing but
good things from her friends. For
example, they told her that tutors
are very supportive and nonjudgemental,
which Lauren felt
was an incredibly important factor
in her decision to study here. She
says: “Having friends who were
understanding and tutors that were
so supportive was the difference
between me giving up completely
and fulfilling my dreams of going
to university.”
She continued: “Lessons were
so engaging and I always felt
comfortable discussing the different
topics. Tutors would always
communicate with us to ensure
we felt fully supported and were
coping well.” It’s this high level of
support that made Lauren’s time
at the college so enjoyable. She
tells us that her and her peers
truly felt like tutors cared about
them, saying: “Education isn’t just
about answering the questions on
the paper or writing assignments,
it’s holistic. When you enter a
classroom, you’re also bringing
your life with you. Ensuring student
happiness in all aspects of their
life is vital in ensuring that they are
learning effectively, and working
productively towards their future
work, career or education goals.”
Lauren is currently studying at
Edge Hill University, where she
has achieved a BSc in psychology
and is now completing a MSc in
counselling and psychotherapy.
Between leaving our college and
starting a new chapter at Edge Hill
University, Lauren has had some
really exciting opportunities come
her way, such as working with Alder
Hey Hospital and Wigan Council.
Alongside her current studies,
Lauren is working as a healthcare
assistant at a residential care
home, as well as taking on the role
of Student Governor at Edge Hill.
A key part of this exciting role is
being part of a Widening Access
panel, where she and her peers
consider barriers to education and
how these can be overcome.
As if all the above wasn’t enough,
Lauren also volunteers for the
Office for Students and is an active
member of Edge Hill’s Choir. She
says: “It’s fair to say I’m a very
busy bee, but I haven’t always
been like this. There are some
weekends where you’ll find me in
the pub eating food and drinking
with friends but gaining my health
& social care qualification has
opened so many doors for me and,
as you can see, I have stepped
through every single one.”
Reflecting on her time at the
college and how effectively it
prepared her to work in the sector,
Lauren said: “My course has taught
me so much more than just a
qualification. At the interview for my
current job, I found myself reciting
information I had learnt at the
college over 3 years ago - which
proved vital to the role that sees
me support care home residents
both physically and emotionally.
The health and social care course
at the college is so vast and
variable that it feels like there is no
role in the sector that would not be
benefitted from this course.”
Lauren continued: “Words cannot
express the eternal gratitude I have
for all the staff and tutors who have
supported me, taught me and in so
many ways shaped me into who
I am today. I know for a fact that I
would not have achieved half as
much as I have if it were not for the
college and the amazing staff.”
When asked what advice she
would give to other adults
considering a Higher Education
course or an Access to Higher
Education course at Warrington &
Vale Royal College, Lauren said:
“We are experiencing a flux in
higher education pathways and
opportunities. There are more day
courses, night courses, access
to higher education courses, and
combined courses than there
ever has been. I studied a level 3
course, as well as completing my
GCSE English while at the college,
which has helped me get into
university and get jobs in health
and social care roles. If you have
ever thought about changing your
career, developing your career or
even just learning something new,
now is the perfect time. Also, don’t
let anything hold you back. I come
from a working-class background
with few GCSE’s, struggled with my
mental health, and studied without
support from my parents. I still
struggle sometimes, and it can be
hard, but with the support from the
college and what you can achieve
both on and after the courses, it is
so worth doing.”
Has Lauren’s story inspired you
to start something new or upskill
within your current job role? Higher
education and access to higher
education courses at Warrington &
Vale Royal College are the perfect
place to begin. Visit: wvr.ac.uk for
more information.
Team leader apprentice Hayley is thriving in her career
Hayley Whitmarsh decided to
study her Level 3 Team Leader
apprenticeship at Warrington
& Vale Royal College due to
our excellent location and
reputation.
Hayley, a former pupil of Helsby
High School, has worked at Lady
Heyes Park in Frodsham for seven
years. She began her career
at the company as a business
administration apprentice before
being promoted to a management
role. This prompted Hayley
to enrol on the team leader
apprenticeship at our college, so
that she could gain the necessary
skills and knowledge required to
face the challenges that came with
her new role.
Since starting her apprenticeship,
Hayley has learnt lots of new
skills and techniques that she now
applies in the workplace. These
include personal development
plans, self-awareness activities,
performance management
techniques, time management
tools, feedback processes and
target setting. Hayley is incredibly
complimentary of the teaching she
is receiving on her day release
at the college, saying: “My tutor
Sarah is very supportive and
knowledgeable. She reaches out
for further discussion to ensure
we’ve understood the lesson and
always marks our work quickly.”
Hayley was apprehensive to return
to education but is so glad she
did! She has loved meeting new
people on her course and feels her
confidence has grown a lot. Hayley
never finished her A levels and has
enjoyed being able to study for
a higher-level qualification whilst
working at the same time. When
asked what advice she would give
to anyone considering studying an
apprenticeship at Warrington & Vale
Royal College, Hayley simply said:
“Do it!”
Upon completion of her
apprenticeship, Hayley hopes
to continue her progression at
Lady Heyes. She feels incredibly
lucky that the company is a small
business that she is helping to
develop and grow. Keep up the
good work, Hayley!
01925 494 494 Campuses in Warrington and Winsford Warrington & Vale Royal College
wvr.ac.uk