Former nursery nurse proves it's never too late for a new career as she wins top health and social care apprentice accolade

Belong Warrington support worker Angela Roberts, who became an apprentice aged 55, has been named this year’s top health and social care apprentice at Cheshire College South and West, beating 200 other health and social care apprentices to the top spot.
Angela, now 57, was a nursery nurse for over 20 years before deciding she wanted a change of career in order to care for older people, especially those living with dementia. She started working at Belong Warrington in 2015 as a care host, cooking and providing personal care for residents on one of the village’s 24-hour care households.
Angela was presented with her apprenticeship award at a ceremony at the college’s Ellesmere Port campus.
Belong supported Angela to undertake the apprenticeship in health and social care at Cheshire College South and West whilst training at the village. She soon became a support worker and is now training to become a senior support worker.
On receiving her award, Angela said: “It’s a very rewarding job in itself, but it’s still nice to be recognised for the hard work. I worked hard, and I learned a lot. Doing the course together with on-the-job training was very rewarding.”
Janine Curwell, general manager at Belong Warrington, said: “Angela’s award is extremely well deserved. She has shown exemplary commitment to her work and development and is always incredibly enthusiastic. She has made huge progress in her role and made a big impact since she began working with us. We look forward to seeing her advance to the position of senior support worker and continue with her newfound career at Belong.”