Chidinma Judith Balogun, Care Assistant at HC-One Wales’s Llys Newydd Care Home, in Capel Hendre, Carmarthenshire, is sharing her personal apprenticeship story with others to demonstrate the learning, development and progression opportunities available by choosing to complete an apprenticeship and work within the Social Care Sector.
Before joining the care sector, Chidinma worked in the food industry in her home country of Nigeria. Chidinma moved to the United Kingdom three years ago, where she decided that this was the perfect opportunity to make the change to care.
From the minute Chidinma commenced her journey into adult social care, she found her role enjoyable, interesting and immensely rewarding as she was able to help others and make a positive impact on people’s lives every day.
Chidinma enrolled on her Health and Social Care Level 2 Apprenticeship with ACT in May 2024, which she is due to complete in October 2025. ACT are HC-One Wales’s apprenticeship partner and leading training provider who offer the largest range of work-based learning qualifications.
As part of her learning, she has covered subjects like safeguarding, health and wellbeing and professional practice. She is learning about the importance of appropriate personal care, nutrition and hydration and the links between good physical health and mental health.
In her job role as Care Assistant at Llys Newydd, where she works night shifts, Chidinma carries out person-centred care and residents’ wellbeing is her top priority. Following completing her Health and Social Care Level 2 Apprenticeship, Chidinma wants to complete her Level 3 Apprenticeship and go on to pursue a career in Nursing.
“I am really enjoying completing my Health and Social Care Level 2 Apprenticeship. To be given the opportunity to do an apprenticeship has been amazing,” Chidinma said. “I’ve had the opportunity to learn from leading professionals and see how my knowledge from the apprenticeship has been put into practice to benefit those who I care for. I have been lucky to have a great assessor that supports me tremendously.
“My advice to anyone considering doing an apprenticeship would be to give it a go and take one step at a time.”
HC-One apprenticeships are offered to both newly recruited and existing colleagues to help develop their skills, knowledge, and confidence, giving individuals the opportunity to learn on-the-job skills and gain nationally recognised qualifications, alongside earning a wage. HC-One currently has over 100 colleagues undertaking an apprenticeship or qualification in Wales.
In 2024, HC-One saw 65 colleagues successfully complete their qualification programmes in Wales, and are currently supporting over 1,000 colleagues across England, Scotland and Wales to complete an apprenticeship or qualification programme within the next two to three years.
Catrin Hooper, HC-One Wales’s Llys Newydd Care Home Manager, added:
“It is important that our colleagues feel valued, and they are provided with the right support and opportunities to learn and progress in their careers. As a leader at HC-One Wales, I know how important apprenticeships are in supporting our colleagues to improve and grow their careers in care.
“Chidinma’s apprenticeship experience highlights the positive impact that apprenticeship opportunities provide to inspire and encourage others to consider working in the Social Care Sector.
“I am extremely proud of the commitment Chidinma gives to her learning as well as all our other colleagues currently completing an apprenticeship at Llys Newydd.”
Bethan Maund, Head of Apprenticeships at ACT, commented:
"We are incredibly proud to be working with HC-One, supporting their colleagues to grow through apprenticeships and other training opportunities.
“At ACT, we are committed to equipping learners with the skills and knowledge they need to excel in their roles, helping them to deliver exceptional care and make a meaningful impact in their communities."
Part of the peaceful village of Capel Hendre in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, Llys Newydd is a tastefully decorated care home with 34 beds, offering residential and residential dementia care. For more information on career opportunities at a HC-One home near you, visit Careers - HC-One.