Congratulations to our Community Roots Project Co-ordinator Shaun Everitt who is a double award winner!
Shaun scooped two top awards at the Lancashire Apprenticeship Awards on 27 March 2024.
Shaun was nominated by his skills coach at Manchester Metropolitan University and won both the Health and Public Service Apprentice of the Year and Degree Apprentice of the Year awards.
Shaun said:
“It was an honour to be nominated and I didn’t expect to win anything but to win two, I was lost for words! I am passionate about working in mental health because growing up I had family members who suffered with anxiety, depression and agoraphobia and saw the devastating and debilitating effect it had on their quality of life. Coproduction is at the core of what we do at community Roots, so for me, it’s a real privilege that I work so closely with our service users, volunteers and the wider community so to win awards for what I enjoy doing is nice.”
Our Community Roots Team based at Deepdale has grown considerably in the last three years and Shaun’s enthusiasm for helping others has been pivotal to that success. Shaun began his work with Community Roots in 2020, and his current role involves working with volunteers and partners to develop the courses on offer to the community. The team offers courses co-designed by people and professionals with lived experience, to help you find accessible and fun health and wellbeing opportunities.
Find out about how some of the health and wellbeing courses on offer at Community Roots could help you if you live or work in Lancashire. They are available for all including our service users as supplementary support to medical treatment.
Shaun began as a temporary worker and has now progressed to project coordinator and is completing a Chartered Degree Apprenticeship in Health and Social Care.
Shaun said:
"It wasn't an easy decision to embark on an apprenticeship with three kids and a full time job, I felt like I might be taking on too much. However, with allocated study time, discipline and a fair bit of patience from my family, I have found it a very rewarding experience.
As well as gaining the academic knowledge required to pass my assignments I have also gained experience in applying this knowledge to the workplace. It's increased my self-confidence and I now feel comfortable in situations that stretch my skills and feel ready to lead a team. I'm currently undertaking a co-production project as part of my final module and I think this will add real value to Community Roots.
I would tell anybody who is thinking of undertaking an apprenticeship to just go for it. You'll learn so much about yourself and gain a qualification that will benefit you in the future. I'm already thinking about what I would like to do next!"
Find out about apprenticeship opportunities with Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust on our website.
Find out about how some of the health and wellbeing courses on offer at Community Roots could help you if you live or work in Lancashire.
