Success Stories

Winning Streak

Donna has been rewarded for her achievements at both a regional and national level, winning the Personal Achiever of the Year Award (16 - 18 year olds) at the East Midlands Real Success Apprenticeship Awards. She then went on to receive runner-up in the same category at the National Apprenticeship Awards, hosted by the Learning and Skills Council.

Donna was born profoundly deaf and partially blind and has had to work extremely hard throughout her life to overcome these disabilities and to achieve success in her career.

Donna began her Apprenticeship in Early Years and Education at our Northampton centre in September 2004. She spent six months studying full-time at the centre, before taking up various work experience placements. Her training culminated with full-time employment at NuNu Day Nursery, where she is responsible for looking after babies and young children. As a result of all her hard work and dedication, Donna achieved a level 2 Apprenticeship.

Donna enjoys working with children, particularly as they do not discriminate against her difficulties with communication. She commented "I feel that if I can get to my goal, which is to get to Level 3 with my disabilities, then I feel I have achieved something for myself and others like me."

Donna continues to work at NuNu Day Nursery and is currently working towards her level 3 Apprenticeship. She is also studying a sign language course in her spare time.