Wellbeing for apprentices: happy, healthy learning

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Apprentice success starts from within

Completing an apprenticeship, whether it’s in healthcare, adult care, pharmacy, or admin, is an exciting opportunity to build new skills, gain valuable experience, and take the next step in your career. That said, as a training provider, tend knows it’s also a commitment that requires time, energy, and resilience.

Many apprentices balance full-time work with studying, assessments, family responsibilities, and everything else life throws their way. It’s rewarding, but it’s also perfectly normal to feel stretched from time to time.

That’s why looking after your wellbeing isn’t a luxury. It’s an important part of succeeding in your apprenticeship training programme.

Today, the employees of tend are enjoying their annual Wellbeing Day. It’s a day off to spend on self-care, and doing whatever sparks joy. As an organisation and employer, we recognise how important it is to take time for ourselves and stay grounded. We want to help you do the same.

Join us now as we examine wellbeing, it’s importance, what it looks like from person to person, and how you can nurture your own during your learning journey.

What does wellbeing really mean?

When people hear the word wellbeing, they might think of spa days, meditation, or expensive gym memberships. While those things can certainly support wellbeing for some people, the reality is much broader in scope.

Wellbeing is about feeling good, and able to cope with everyday life. This includes:

• Physical Health (looking after your body, eating healthily, exercising)
• Mental Health (speaking to your GP about any symptoms you’re experiencing)
• Emotional wellness (activities and hobbies that help you feel happy)
• Social Connection (which improves confidence and belonging among apprentices)

With each of us being uniquely different, wellbeing looks different for everyone. For one apprentice, it could be spending time with family. For another, it might be taking a walk outdoors, reading a book, or simply getting an early night before you End-Point Assessment (EPA).

The key to nurturing your own wellbeing, is discovering what helps you personally feel your best.

Why wellbeing matters during an apprenticeship

Looking after yourself doesn’t only help you feel happier. It can also improve your learning. When you’re well rested and emotionally supported, it’s often easier to:

• Stay motivated
• Concentrate during training
• Retain new information
• Manage deadlines
• Feel confident asking questions
• Bounce back from setbacks

On the other hand, constantly pushing yourself without taking time to recharge can leave you at risk of factors like depression, feeling overwhelmed, stress, and/or exhaustion.

Remember: completing an apprenticeship isn’t a sprint. It’s a journey. Looking after yourself helps you enjoy the experience while giving yourself the best chance of success.

Keep your wellbeing cup filled up

Imagine your energy and wellbeing as a cup. Throughout the day, different activities either fill it up, or gradually empty it of its contents.

Learning something new, laughing with a friend, getting enough sleep, enjoying a hobby, or eating a great meal might all help to fill your cup.

Long days, stress, concerns, poor sleep, constant notifications or worrying about deadlines can slowly drain it.

The trick isn’t to eliminate every stressful moment. That isn’t realistic. Instead, try to make sure you’re regularly refilling your cup.

Ask yourself:

• What helps me feel calm?
• What gives me energy?
• Who makes me feel supported?
• What activities leave me feeling happier afterwards?
• What situations regularly leave me feeling drained?

Being aware of these patterns is the first step towards maintaining your motivation, and building healthier routines.

Small habits make a big difference

Supporting your wellbeing doesn’t have to involve making huge lifestyle changes. Often, it lies in developing small habits and micro strategies you repeat consistently that have the biggest impact.

Here are a few examples you could try:

• Take proper breaks – if you’re studying after work, give your brain a break. Even five or ten minutes away from your screen can help improve concentration.
• Move your body – you don’t need an intense workout. A short walk, stretching between study sessions or dancing around the kitchen while making dinner all count!
• Protect your sleep – deep rest at night plays a huge part in memory, learning, and concentration. A good night’s sleep is often more valuable than staying up late to revise one more chapter.
• Switch off occasionally – it’s easy to feel like you always need to reply to messages or check notifications. Giving yourself permission to disconnect for a while can help your mind to recharge.
• Celebrate your progress – every assignment completed, every new skill learned, and every challenge overcome is evidence that you’re moving forward. Take time to recognise how far you’ve come.
• Remember that you don’t have to do it all alone – one of the biggest misconceptions apprentices sometimes have is that they should be able to manage everything independently. In reality, apprenticeships are designed to support your learning.

If you find yourself struggling with stress management, whether it’s with your workload, your confidence, or self-doubt, don’t be afraid to reach out. Your employer will offer a structured induction process to help you, as their apprentice, adapt to your job role and reduce any anxiety you might have. They may also offer business induction workshops, and may even have mental health first aiders on staff.

If it’s a question of time management, employers should offer flexible working hours to help apprentices manage their academic responsibilities. It’s their duty to provide a healthy work environment.

What apprentices should do if they still need help

If you feel you could still use some support, you can:

• Call or text a friend, partner, or family member you feel comfortable talking to
• Speak to your Line Manager (and no, you don’t have to wait for a one-to-one meeting, which helps monitor apprentices’ workload and general job satisfaction)
• Reach out to your Development Coach for guidance

tend Development Coaches act as dedicated mentors, providing guidance and a supportive environment for apprentices. They, along with your Line Manager, will likely set up regular reviews to enhance communication and development. Along with your loved ones, these people are your support system. They all want you to feel valued, and to see you succeed. Communication is key. Asking for the relevant support early can often prevent small challenges from becoming bigger ones.

Poor mental health and low mood can negatively affect an apprentice’s ability to learn and perform. 75% of apprentices report undisclosed mental health issues. Don’t bottle up how you’re feeling. tend encourages open conversation about mental health to reduce stigma for apprentices. Looking after your wellbeing includes knowing when it’s okay to ask for help. It’s a soft skill employers look for, too. Mental wellbeing influences workplace productivity, enhances performance, and reduces absenteeism.

As an apprentice, you may be able to access counselling services through your company to help you deal with stress and workplace challenges.

tend apprentices can also access additional support, resources, and advice promoting wellbeing and more via their free Association of Apprentices membership platform and community.

Make wellbeing a part of your routine

Your wellbeing needs are important. Rather than waiting until you feel overwhelmed, try gradually building wellbeing practices into your everyday life.

You might choose to:

• Take a walk in a local park during your lunch break
• Read for 20 minutes before bed
• Meet a friend for a coffee after a busy week
• Spend time outdoors
• Keep a gratitude journal
• Set boundaries between work, study, and personal time
• Schedule regular time to do something you genuinely enjoy

Whatever you choose, the best wellbeing routine is one you know you’ll stick to. Making an effort for your wellness is not selfish. It’s smart.

Your apprenticeship is important; but so are you

Your apprenticeship is helping you build a brighter future; but your wellbeing is essential to that future, and deserves just as much attention as your assessments.

Looking after yourself isn’t time away from learning. It’s part of learning well.

So today, on what is Wellbeing Day for the team at tend, ask yourself one crucial question:

“What’s one small thing I can do today to fill up my cup?”

Whatever you identify as the thing that helps you feel a sense of calm, simply giving yourself permission to do it is the kind of seemingly small moment that adds up over time.

At tend, we believe that success for learners isn’t just about building knowledge and achieving qualifications. It’s also about helping you grow with confidence, create healthy habits, and thrive throughout your apprenticeship journey.

Looking for an alternative to tradition college or university? Train with tend and earn while you learn. Call 01753 596 004 or hit the button below.