Swindon College Graduate wins Health Sector Star Awards 2018

Louise Steer, a graduate of Swindon College’s Foundation Degree Health & Social Care, has won the Higher Apprenticeship category award in the NHS’s Star Awards 2018. This is for apprentices who have really engaged with the education programme and made a difference in their workplace, as well as balancing their work, study and home life. The judges were looking for:

• commitment: someone that demonstrates commitment to their personal development and progression
• contribution: showing outstanding contribution to the workplace - in particular, areas or projects where you have exceeded expectations
• success: evidence of inspirational levels of achievement and attainment.

Louise managed to juggle her two-year foundation degree while caring for her young family and working as an assistant practitioner at the Great Western Hospital. This role allows Louise to interact directly with patients, carry out clinical techniques, such as inserting cannulas and catheters prior to theatre, and offer support to other members of her ward team. In addition to her role at GWH, Louise is a part-time lecturer at Swindon College and will soon be working towards attaining a Diploma in Education and Teaching. The Star Awards recognise the very best in education and training across the health and care sector in the south west. They celebrate individuals or teams providing healthcare or public health services for NHS patients and service users in NHS trusts, general practice, local authority, education and independent or private settings including those providing pharmacy, dental and optometry services. The categories are open to people in all professions, staff groups and at all levels across the 260 miles from Gloucestershire to Cornwall & Isles of Scilly (including Wiltshire, Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, Somerset and Devon) that make up the south west region and incorporate the, already very successful, Apprenticeship Awards.

Louise said: "I am completely shocked and overwhelmed to have won this award.  The past two years have been really challenging, however with the support of my family, friends, Swindon College, GWH and my study buddy I have achieved to the best of my ability.  All the long nights and hard work have definitely been worth it."

A spokesperson for Swindon College said: "To be nominated is an achievement in itself given the breadth of the qualifying factors and we are extremely proud of her for her hard work and dedication that she shows. We congratulate Louise on her success in these awards and wish her well in her future career and studies." (Star Awards information sourced here: https://www.hee.nhs.uk/hee-your-area/south-west/our-work/attracting-developing-our-workforce/star-awards-2018)