On Our Mind

Posted on 24 Jul 2024

As an organisation, we firmly believe in and promote a culture of lifelong learning and talent management to aid the professional and personal development of our colleagues. They are our greatest asset and, with the right values and correct training, deliver quality care to our service users.

To meet these needs, we frequently collaborate with other partner providers and often utilise Government funding to finance these courses.

Marissa Lambert, People Development Manager at Notts Healthcare said, “The People Development team are extremely passionate in supporting colleagues to access and achieve their Level 2 Maths and English functional skills. We recognise that this can feel daunting and be a barrier for accessing wider development opportunities and training pathways.

“Nicola has embodied such commitment, motivation, self-determination and optimism in successfully achieving her maths, whilst studying for the Peer Worker Apprenticeship. It was joyful to watch Nicola and Nick build trust within the wrap around support provided and the pride that Nicola took in her work and revision. Nicola is an ardent ambassador for functional skills in the Trust and I hope this inspires others to get in touch and learn more about the opportunities and support that are available’’.  

 

Hear from Nicola Bartley, Peer Support Worker who is currently undertaking her Peer Worker Apprenticeship, which is delivered by West Nottinghamshire College:

 

“I embarked on my maths journey last year, determined to make time and understand the concepts of mathematics. I set myself a target of studying for at least two hours, four to six times a week. While this may seem extreme, I wanted to absorb as much as possible and enjoyed using various materials to aid my learning. For example, when exploring ratios, I watched a YouTube tutorial by a maths teacher, which provided the visual understanding that makes many subjects easier to grasp. This concept proved useful when calculating the area and volume of shapes, helping me visualise the size and scale of a football pitch and work out the circumference of the circle on the pitch. My self-assurance grew, and I began to believe in my ability, which increased my self-esteem.

 

“I am immensely grateful for the support I received from friends, family, and colleagues. Their encouragement spurred me on to continue my understanding of maths. There were times when it felt like Groundhog Day, and I struggled with calculations. For example, when dealing with ratios, it helped to understand the principle by comparing bets on racing programmes. I could apply my knowledge and follow the odds. The same principle applies to fractions when preparing a cleaning solution. The key concept of ratios is comparing different timetables and spotting the differences.

 

“I started with the set courses from OneFile, working through various modules based on an initial assessment. This assessment highlighted my strengths, such as numerical calculations, which I enjoy, and my weaknesses, like plans, shapes, and volume. This provided a benchmark to set my own targets and focus on my problem areas.

 

“Starting at Level 1, I established my own learning pattern and received regular support from my mentor and maths tutor. This was invaluable when I felt burnt out or discouraged by my progress. I realised one of my biggest mistakes was to overburden myself with too much work, trying to get through copious practice papers without allowing myself to take a break. Nick, my maths tutor, pointed out this flaw, emphasising that completing the work doesn’t mean denying oneself time out. The outcome is more positive when based on realistic targets. It’s about figuring out the most productive use of your time to achieve a favourable outcome.

   

“I sat my exam in May and was extremely nervous. Unfortunately, my anxiety took hold, and I began to experience hot and cold flushes, sweat dripping from my forehead, a change in my voice, and difficulty thinking logically essential for maths. During the first paper-the easier one-I froze, unable to answer the simplest questions. My brain went blank: "Computer says NO!". However, the second paper-the harder one-was a breeze and enjoyable. The assessor noticed my peculiar technique. On the way home, I cried, convinced I had ruined this opportunity. I felt sick and overtired, berating myself for being a born loser incapable of achieving my own targets. How could I continue working as a peer support worker or set an example for my daughter and future grandchildren?

 

“Determined to move on, I resumed practising the following week, vowing to keep going despite the shame of possibly not passing. The next week, during our seminar, my maths tutor asked to speak with me. Dreading the moment, I had already emailed Nick apologising for my poor performance, explaining that various factors had contributed to my struggles. To my astonishment, he informed me that I had passed and handed me my certificate. I was speechless, my mind in a fog. I PASSED-WOW! I returned to class, shared the news with my colleague Cheryl-McAuley Wainwright, and in a moment of wisdom, she asked to take my photo. I vaguely remember agreeing, and there it was: my photo, eyes closed, smiling with my maths certificate.

   

The following week flew by with congratulations and hugs. My tutor nominated me for the Overcoming Challenges Award. My mum and I attended the ceremony on 27 June, a lovely event with exceptional cakes and a self-serve pick-and-mix sweet counter. When my category came up, I proceeded to the stage and had my photo taken with the other nominees. I certainly didn’t expect to win, but somehow, the gods smiled down on me, and I did. It was an amazing experience, and I extend my heartfelt thanks to Nick Maidment for believing in me and encouraging me to persevere, even when I doubted my own ability to do maths.”

 

Nick Maidment, Manager for retail, adult and professional studies at West Nottinghamshire College said, “When a learner demonstrates effort and determination, it’s incredibly motivating to offer additional support. Nicola dedicated significant time and persistence to achieving her goal. Although maths can be intimidating for many, breaking it down into manageable steps makes it an invaluable skill and as a Peer Professional of course, she shares the experience openly to help encourage others to try, which is amazing.”