Demi shares her experience of working at Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB on the Kick-starter scheme

In December 2021, thirty kick-starters joined us at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board as part of the Government funded kick-start scheme.  The scheme supports young people who live in our local communities to develop transferable skills and increase their opportunities for sustained employment.

The kick-starters are aged between 18-24 years and work 25 hours a week on a six-month fully funded placement.  Their roles included areas in administration, clerical, facilities and wellbeing.

One of the young people, twenty-one year old Demi Evans has been involved with the kick-start programme since January 2022 and works as an administrative clerk for the wellbeing service within the workforce and organisational development department.  

Demi said: “Being part of the kick-start scheme makes me feel fortunate.  When I was 18 years old, I found myself in a position of having to leave University early, due to having my daughter.  This left me with very little experience to work in the Health and Social Care industry, which is what I wanted to do as a career.  The kick-start programme gave me the opportunity to develop my experience and learn new key skills, as well as training, which has helped increase my chances of getting a full-time job in the future.

“It has also opened my eyes in discovering what job roles are in the NHS and within Cwm Taf Morgannwg which are not just associated with nursing and care.  This has helped influence my choices in looking for another admin role at the end of my kick-start experience. I hope to achieve the training, knowledge, skills and professionalism from this job role that will stand me in good stead for any other job role I obtain in the future.

“Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB has been amazing and very supportive in regards flexibility and training.  I have found the team and my colleagues kind, friendly and enthusiastic and the best bunch of people to work with.  I felt very welcome and part of the team right from the start and they treat me no differently to anyone else who has worked there for a long time.  I am glad to be a part of such an amazing team and am so glad I took up the kick-start programme.”

Heather Lloyd-Jones, wellbeing project support officer, works with Demi and says: “We are glad to have been able to provide Demi with a placement and to support her in developing the skills and experience she needs for the future. She has been a valuable member of our team and has made an impact on how we manage certain tasks and activities.  Demi is eager to learn, a true team player and is keen to attempt and get involved in a variety of tasks. Being able to support the kick-start programme was important to us as a Wellbeing Service and we are delighted to have been able to give Demi the opportunity to develop and grow.”