Elle Holian began working at the Weston Integrated Sexual Health (WISH) Centre in October 2009 after taking her A-levels and quickly became a vital part of the team.
Beginning with filing and answering the phone, Elle soon progressed to more advanced and productive work, such as developing audit charts on the computer system and working on the Centre’s web pages.
Having achieved her NVQ level 2 in Business Administration, she is now poised to study graphic design at Falmouth University.
She received her award as South West Apprentice of the Year from Sir Ian Carruthers, Chief Executive of NHS South West Strategic Health Authority, at a recent ceremony in Taunton.
Elle said: “I was really pleased to take up my apprenticeship in the WISH centre as it was a good opportunity to start work and I wanted experience in a real workplace.
“I was very pleased just to be nominated for the award and go to the ceremony, without at all expecting to win.”
Elle’s supervisor, Mr Peter Greenhouse, Consultant in Sexual Health at Weston, said: “Elle was a truly excellent apprentice. She tackled the sensitive role of Sexual Health Clinic receptionist and also took the initiative with a wide range of tasks above and beyond her remit and delivered them with quiet efficiency, skill, tact and humour.
“She’s been especially helpful as a young, friendly face for our newly-established under-21 sessions and this has been reflected in strongly positive patient feedback – which helped us to be the first Sexual Health Clinic in the region to achieve the Department of Health’s “You’re Welcome” standard.
“We are delighted that she has received this well-deserved recognition and wish her every success in her future career.”
For further information, please contact Caroline Welch on 01934 647091