1 February 2019
Apprenticeships at Salford City College’s very own Abigail Henstock has been named Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust Apprentice of the Year 2018.
“I felt very privileged to have won Apprentice of the Year for my Trust. I wasn’t expecting to even be nominated, so to win was amazing.” Those were the words of Abigail, Communications and Creative Media Apprentice, after winning Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust’s Apprentice of the Year award at their annual Recognising Excellence Awards.
She continued: “I am very proud of the work I do, and to work for the NHS, so it was such a good feeling to be noticed for this hard work.”
Each year the Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust host their Recognising Excellence Awards for staff within their Trust. 2018 was the first year the Trust recognised apprentices with the introduction of the ‘Apprentice of the Year’ category. Abigail triumphed over five other nominees to win the accolade and become their first ever Apprentice of the Year.
Abigail said: “I was shocked to know I had won the award as I had only started at the Trust in May, so I hadn’t even been there a year yet when I won.
“However, I feel like I have worked extremely hard towards my apprenticeship so far. That said, I couldn’t have done it without the support of my team and tutor. My team have pushed me outside my comfort zone, which I am very grateful for." - Abigail Henstock, NHS Apprentice of the Year
“My confidence has grown throughout my apprenticeship as I have been working with many well-known companies, including the BBC, ITV, Radio 4 and Radio 5 Live. I have wrote many press releases that have gone to national papers, television programmes and radio stations. I am also responsible for our Instagram page, which will have a lasting effect on the way out-patients view the Trust’s reputation and services.”
Rachel McGrory, Senior Communications and PR Officer at the Trust, and the person who put Abigail forward for the award, said: “Since joining the External Communications and PR Team, Abigail has embraced every opportunity given to her. In a short space of time, she has shown to be an invaluable member of the team and has contributed immensely to many projects, showing willing, creativity and promise.
“Even on her first day, when she assisted with a task in theatres, Abigail was unphased and remained professional when taking photographs during a minor operating procedure. Abigail adds value to the team with her exceptional design and social media skills and is confident and willing to get involved in tasks that she has little or no previous experience in. Her innovation has brought to fruition many projects that will continue on after she has completed her apprenticeship.
“Particularly, her work in social media, and her part in creating the Trust’s Instagram account. She has certainly raised the bar for any future apprentices joining the External Communications and PR team.”
Following her win, Abigail now hopes to inspire the next generation of apprentices and excel in her own career. She said:
“I am going to be talking during National Apprentice Week to staff at the NHS who are considering an apprenticeship. I am so happy that I decided to do an apprenticeship and don’t regret anything." - Abigail Henstock, NHS Apprentice of the Year
“After my apprenticeship, I would like to carry on working for the hospital as I find it really interesting and feel a sense of achievement when I hear feedback about WWL on our social media from the public.
“I hope that all my achievements and experience I have gained whilst working for WWL will take me far in my career.”
If
like Abigail, you are an ambitious individual looking to take your first step onto the career ladder, contact the Salford City College Apprenticeship Team on 0161 631 5555 or by emailing apprenticeships@salfordcc.ac.uk.