Real-life story - Ross Fenwick

Taking part in the Project Choice supported internship programme [1] led to me getting my administration assistant apprenticeship at Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS (CNTWNHS) Foundation Trust. I was so nervous and didn’t know what to expect.

I have very limited direction and found communication very difficult but Project Choice gave me the confidence I needed and self-belief to achieve. It helped me develop my communication skills and encourages me to talk to others at work.

I am still doing my Level 2 apprenticeship with CNTWNHS but it’s taken a pause due to Covid-19. At present, I work part-time as a business administration assistant for Project Choice at Health Education England on Mondays and Tuesdays.

I carry out general admin duties such as processing students’ application forms and organising the Project Choice database.

The best bit about my role is doing something new constantly. I can be working on spreadsheets on one day and application forms the next day.

A challenge when working on the application forms is ensuring that I put the right information in the right column. I will read through everything to make sure there’s no error.

I have always enjoyed socialising with friends and family. I broadened my social circle from being on Project Choice and doing my apprenticeship. It’s important to make sure that I balance my social time and work life by building up good day-to-day routines.

I would say to those looking to do an apprenticeship, do it because it’s worth it!