Welcome to our new apprentice allied health professionals

The dream of a rewarding career in healthcare is about to become reality for a dozen professionals, thanks to our clinical academy degree apprenticeship programme.

The Clinical Academy at Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT) offers degree-level apprenticeships in nursing and allied health professional roles which covers physiotherapy, occupational therapy and podiatry.

Eight apprentice physiotherapists (PTs), three apprentice occupational therapists (OTs) and one apprentice podiatrist will now begin their studies to gain a degree, while earning and working at the same time.

Kerry March and Emily Francois

Many of the successful applicants have been recruited from positions at KCHFT, including Kerry Marsh, 40, who will be combining her role as an OT assistant practitioner with the Learning Disability Team while studying for her degree.

The mum-of-two said: "It's a dream come true. I used to work as an activities coordinator in a day centre for adults with learning disabilities before moving into a role with KCHFT as an assistant practitioner with the Learning Disability Team. Now I have the chance to become a fully-qualified OT."

Emily Francois, 29, is now an apprentice OT after being inspired through her role as a rehabilitation assistant with the Community Rehabilitation Team.

She said: “I love my job but I needed to progress further and build a future for me and my daughter Sophia, who is 11. I know what a huge impact occupational therapy can have on people’s lives.”

Ellie Phillips and Emily Brown

Ellie Phillips, 23, failed her A-levels at school and thought her dream of being a physiotherapist was over. However, she’s now being paid to train as a physiotherapist and will be fully qualified in four years’ time, thanks to KCHFT’s Clinical Academy.

She said: “I always wanted to be a physiotherapist, but when my grades weren’t good enough for university I thought that route was closed to me. I left school and took a job working in a special needs school in a caring role.

“I saw an advert for a children’s therapies assistant with KCHFT in November 2021 and thanks to my work experience in care, I landed that job, which I loved. When the apprentice degree course was advertised I jumped at the chance and gained a place.

“Sometimes you can take a different path and still be able to pursue your dream. I have great mentors and it’s brilliant to be able to work and study at the same time.”

Emily Brown, 24, had already completed a first degree in human biology and sports coaching and was working in an aseptic unit at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital when she applied for the apprentice physiotherapist degree course.

She said: “I had worked as a personal trainer and also as a lifeguard before joining the NHS but I wanted to develop my career and even thought of doing a Masters’ degree. But when I saw this opportunity, I knew it would be a better option. Once you’re qualified, you’re set up for life.”

Paul Rothwell

Therapy assistant Paul Rothwell works at Tonbridge Cottage Hospital. At 36, he has taken the long way round to his chosen career in physiotherapy.

Paul said: “I was working as a designer but was made redundant during Covid so I set myself up as a personal trainer. Two years ago, I landed a role as a therapy assistant at Tonbridge Cottage Hospital, which gave me the groundwork to apply for the degree apprenticeship. It’s a massive opportunity for me, not just because I will be funded for four years to complete my degree but also because of the intense clinical experience I’ll get while studying.”

Maria Prendergast is an apprentice podiatrist, having applied for the role while working as a podiatry assistant for KCHFT.

She said: “This is the next step on the ladder for me and is really the only way I could have done the degree course. Everyone has been really encouraging.”

Gill Davies-Patrick is the Learning Environment Lead for AHPs in the Clinical Academy. She said: “We always have such a high standard of applicants for these roles, as they offer such a fantastic opportunity for people to work and study. The degrees are all fully accredited by Canterbury Christ Church University or the University of East London. Our apprentices receive four years of mentoring and support from the academy to help them succeed.”

Well done to all our new apprentices and good luck for the future.