Young Derry woman champions life changing Prince’s Trust programme

AThe Prince’s Trust Get into Health and Social Care Programme returns to Derry next month ,offering Level 2 City & Guilds Certificates to 16-24 year olds interested in a career in the care sector.

Prior to then, Roisin Hannon (20),from Dungiven in Co Derry, had been unemployed before signing up to the programme in September last year.

She had been struggling to secure work, citing that she did not have enough work experience, or the right qualifications to obtain employment.

During the Princes Trust programme she completed two weeks of work experience in a care home and seven work units of health and social care.

Roisin (pictured) said: “The Prince’s Trust staff were very helpful and any time you needed extra help they would be there.”

The four-week course offers valuable work experience with a local employer and The Trust offer up to six months of support in finding employment on completion of the programme. Participants will also gain relevant Level 2 City & Guilds certificates, a qualification in First Aid and travel expenses are provided for the whole programme. Roisin added the course helped her to gain confidence and interview skills, which gave her the drive to seek full-time employment in the Care sector.

After completing the Get into Health and Social Care programme, she started working as a care assistant at Altnagelvin Hospital, and is now working both there and at Rush Hall Care Home, where she completed her two week placement on the course.

She added: “I would recommend this programme to anyone that is looking to get into health and social care as it could lead on to a higher level in health and social care. You also get two weeks work experience, which will help you decide if health and social care is the field for you.”

The Get into Health and Social care course will commence in Derry on 23 May, with a taster day available on 9 May.

If you are aged 16-24, not currently in education, training or employment and would like to sign up, you can contact The Prince’s Trust directly at [email protected] or Freephone 0800 842 842