Learner Case Study
At tend, it’s widely recognised that with the right support, anyone can thrive, no matter the obstacles. Just ask Catherine Gibson-Garford. Hers is one of the most inspiring healthcare apprenticeship success stories our team has ever seen.
Read on to discover the obstacles Catherine faced, how she tackled them head-on, and the ways in which her apprenticeship was a catalyst for real change.
From a challenging childhood to a flourishing career in healthcare, Catherine’s journey shows the power of perseverance, persistence, and personal growth. It’s a true testament to the opportunities a health and social care apprenticeship can unlock.
Catherine’s early years were far from straightforward. At just 14, she entered foster care, moving between homes while managing ADHD, PTSD, and later diagnoses of Dyslexia and Dyscalculia.
School was also a struggle for Catherine. She often felt left behind. Unimaginably, one teacher even said to her: “You’ll never make it. You’re too slow.”
Homelessness and periods in supported accommodation placed additional strains on Catherine’s personal life. All the while, she was caring for her younger brother, Callum, who has autism, and requires support with complex needs.
Despite these challenges, Catherine never stopped learning. She completed distance learning courses in mental health and autism, gained work experience, and secured paid roles to build her skills and confidence. These early steps became the foundation for her mental health care career path, and her future apprenticeship career progression.
Catherine began her healthcare career as a Support Worker at a Yeovil care home. Her Line Manager spotted her potential and contacted tend. He nominated her for our Level 3 Adult Care apprenticeship, one of a range of transformative training programmes tend offers as a leading health and social care training provider.
Catherine’s course got off to a great start. However, her confidence wavered due to her concerns for her past learning difficulties. This is where Catherine’s tend Development Coaches stepped in. An Advanced Learning Plan (ALS) was tailored to Catherine’s specific needs and ways of learning, something our Development Coaches do for all learners. The plan directly addressed Catherine’s particular challenges; a perfect example of health sector learning and development in action.
Catherine’s next career move to a role with Elysium Healthcare became a turning point. This apprenticeship in Elysium Healthcare allowed tend to collaborate closely with her employer to support her progress.
With ongoing encouragement and tailored support, Catherine not only completed her apprenticeship in adult social care; but she did so with a Distinction, the highest possible grade, marking one of our standout apprenticeship achievements in healthcare.
Since completing her apprenticeship, Catherine has been promoted to Senior Healthcare Support Worker. She is now planning the next phase of her Elysium Healthcare career journey, taking purposeful steps towards becoming a nurse.
Catherine is also exploring further qualifications, including the Level 5 Health and Social Care Diploma, Registered Manager training, and additional leadership pathways that help in developing care sector leaders.
Catherine’s professional growth reflects the importance of vocational training in healthcare, and the role it plays in social care workforce development. Life is more settled for her from a personal perspective, too. Catherine enjoys caring for her rescue dog, Coco, and her two horses, Batman and Rowan. One day, she plans to buy her own home.
Catherine’s story is one of those real-life apprenticeship stories that reminds us why we do what we do. It’s about more than qualifications. It’s about building confidence, opening doors, and empowering individuals through UK apprenticeship provider support to take charge of their futures.
At tend, we’re proud to hold Skills for Care endorsement, and to deliver health and care leadership programmes that make a real difference in people’s lives. Catherine’s journey shows how the right apprenticeship, combined with the right support, can transform lives, and shape the future of care.
