Emily joined YMCA Training Eastbourne on our Child Care,
Learning and Development Apprenticeship Programme in November
2009.
Due to an accident she was involved in when she was a
small child, Emily has additional needs and her day to day life
holds many challenges.
During her first week at YMCA Training, she was introduced
to Sarah Potter, a training adviser who would be working with her
on a one to one basis both at her work placement and at the YMCA
Training Eastbourne centre. The first assessment was used as a
getting to know each other session, and for Sarah to gauge Emily's
abilities and how she could support her.
Emily worked as a nursery assistant at Birkdale Nursery.
She never failed to meet targets that were set, her attendance was
faultless, and her written work was outstanding. Due to all her
hard work and determination, Emily achieved her NVQ Level 2 in
Child Care, Learning and Development well before her due date of
November and Sarah nominated her for an award in 2010.
At the Eastbourne awards presentation evening, Emily won
the Award for Effort which was presented by Eastbourne's MP,
Stephen Lloyd. She was presented with a lovely glass plaque which
Stephen Lloyd accidently dropped. The heart-stopping moment was
saved when Stephen Lloyd, as a way of apology, invited Emily to the
Houses of Parliament for afternoon tea. Her plaque was replaced and
she had her trip to London and spent an extremely enjoyable
afternoon with Stephen, MP in the Houses of Parliament on
24th January 2011.
Emily, said "I have much more confidence and self esteem.
I am now able to mentor and support others and enjoy working as a
volunteer at Pebsham Community Primary School."