Fantastic five land jobs at Bryn Seiont Newydd thanks to life-changing training course.

Five young women have all landed permanent jobs Bryn Seiont Newydd, which hosted the life-changing training course they took part in.





Becky Ward, 26, Roxanne Aston, 20, Ellen Robinson, 28, Kelly Thomson, 30, and 26-year-old Emma Fozzard became enrolled on the Into Health and Social Care course run by a partnership between the Prince's Trust charity and Pendine Park.

The course was the second to be held at Pendine's flagship dementia centre of excellence, Bryn Seiont Newydd, which opened in 2015. Following the recent opening of new luxury companion living apartments, 140 people are employed there.

It was aimed at young people aged 18-30 from the Caernarfon and Bangor area who were NEET - Not in Education, Employment or Training.

During the intensive three-week course and closely supervised by experienced staff, the fivesome covered subjects such as basic first aid and manual handling and the safeguarding of vulnerable adults.

They also spent time working with support staff caring for residents with dementia and also helping with the home's celebrated enrichment programme which includes encouraging residents to enjoy taking part in art and music and movement sessions.

At a special ceremony in the home's purpose-built music room they received their graduation certificates and warm praise from course leaders.

And each of them spoke of the difference being on the course has made to their lives.

Becky Ward, from Carmel near Caernarfon, described how despite acquiring a number of child care qualifications she had not managed to get a job after a couple of years of trying.

She said: "After school I went to Coleg Llandrillo to study child care. After that I went on to Bangor University to do childhood studies and psychology.

"Even though I had my degree I was unable to find a job. I must have sent out 30 applications to nursery and schools but was unsuccessful every time.

"I was just starting to feel very depressed about it when I was selected for the Prince's Trust course.

"Everyone at the home was so supportive and I felt very much part of the team. It was great to discover I'm good at something.

"Thanks to being on the course I've now been lucky enough to get a permanent job at Bryn Seiont as a care practitioner, which is just amazing."

It was a similar story with fellow course member, 20-year-old Roxanne Aston from Caernarfon.

"My last job was bar-work but only at weekends and I was looking for something more fulfilling and challenging," she said.

"I was thrilled to be selected for the course. I learned so much and also really enjoyed it.

"I've now got a job at Bryn Seiont as a care practitioner, which I'm very happy about, and the experience I gain will help me to achieve my ambition to one day become a social worker.

"The course gave me new confidence and skills and has meant a big turn-around in my life."