Over the past year, Môn CF have been working closely with the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) Step into Work Programme team, focussing on getting people into work. We are very lucky to have a unique partnership with the team and a mutual interest of getting the right people into the best suited role for them.
The BCUHB Step into Work Programme involves each candidate undertaking the completion of several modules, followed by a 6-week placement within the BCUHB in their chosen field – either Facilities, Administration or Healthcare Support Work - then leading to a guaranteed interview with a view to securing a role within the BCUHB.
Due to the pandemic, in March 2020 there was an outcry for support workers, along with this outcry came a tremendous amount of pressure to appropriately train and prepare potential new starters. It was no longer possible to deliver face-to-face training, therefore we adapted and developed the training process to deliver all training online. Since adapting the training in April 2020, we have had two intakes of individuals onto the programme, and we have assisted several people into stable and fulfilling employment during a time of great uncertainty.
Just two examples of individuals who have turned a difficult situation into an opportunity are Adam James Owen and Hannah Norbury who now work in the Health Board Managed Practice, Cambria Surgery in Holyhead, Anglesey.
Adam, from Holyhead was working in Bangor, a fair distance away from his home therefore was spending a significant amount of his days commuting. Adam joined the programme and secured a receptionist role; he now walks to work so is making savings on travel costs and can therefore spend more time with his family.
Hannah Norbury from Amlwch has secured a permanent contract as Receptionist/Admin Assistant at the surgery, Hannah said: “I did a few interviews through Môn CF, each time I did an interview I felt more confident. They helped me build up my skills and gave me more to talk about in my interview, which helped boost my confidence because I felt I had more to offer. I would definitely recommend Môn CF to other people, they gave me lots of support, I got extra qualifications, they helped me pass my driving test, they helped me get a job, the NHS course was brilliant because it gave me the training, I needed in order to get this position.”
Additionally, we have one participant who was offered a contract as a Domestic Cleaner in Ysbyty Gwynedd and is now in the process of applying for a promotion to the intense Covid cleaning team.
Due to the success of the programme, we will continue to work with the BCUHB Step-into Work team and look forward to welcoming more enthusiastic individuals onto the programme and encourage them to flourish in their career.
Do you want to Step into the NHS? Our NHS Icebreaker will be held monthly as of January 2022.