Heidi Webb

After leaving school, Heidi decided that she wanted to work in the care sector. Realising that gaining the right qualifications would drastically improve her career opportunities she contacted VTS to enquire about starting an NVQ. For Heidi this was the first time she had considered returning to education since leaving school.

‘I couldn't wait to leave school, I was never any good in exam conditions and so left without any qualifications. What attracted me to the NVQ programme was the fact that I could work at my own pace without the need to attend college or sit any exams'.

After successfully completing her Care level 2 NVQ, Heidi progressed onto her level 3 course and on completion of this, was able to start her Registered Mental Nurse (RMN) training.

Soon after gaining her RMN and impressing senior staff with her knowledge and ability, Heidi was asked to co-manage the Laburnham Ward, a mental health assessment centre at Runwell Hospital where she was currently working.

This was to be an incredibly challenging role. At the time the ward was underperforming and subsequently had very poor staff moral and retention rates. With her prior experience and new found confidence Heidi was able to make significant changes to the day to day running of the ward. These changes dramatically improved the ward's performance in a relatively short space of time. As a result staff moral and retention levels improved substantially, and many of Heidi's initiatives have since been used to improve other wards at the Hospital.

‘Gaining my NVQ's gave me real belief in my abilities and helped me secure promotion too. The support I received from my managers, colleagues and VTS was excellent and I can't thank them enough for all their help'.