The Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Health & Social Care Apprenticeship Awards have taken place at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens.
The annual event celebrates the work of Apprentices across Health and Care organisations in Lancashire and South Cumbria.
Broadcaster Owain Wyn Evans was the evening’s host, providing wit and enthusiasm for awarding hardworking NHS apprentices.
Ruth Keeler, strategic lead for the Lancashire and South Cumbria Health and Care Careers and Engagement Service told the audience: “All nominees share a common thirst for learning, patient care, and a passion and dedication to making a difference. The calibre of applications has been extremely strong with over 350 nominees. Our panel of judges had an incredibly difficult task.”
Award categories included Rising Star, Perseverance, Equality Diversity and Inclusion, Clinical Apprentice and Innovation, culminating in the prestigious Excellence Award (Champion Apprentice of the Year). Each award category was sponsored by a local organisation or education provider.
Included for the first time for the 2024 awards was the recognition of T-Level learners who have undertaken over 350 hours of industry placement in NHS and care organisations.
The winners are:
Entertainment took place throughout the evening, starting with stilt walkers on arrival and Mirror Men guiding guests to their seats. Dancers then lit up the Winter Gardens with routines of dance and mesmerising lighting displays before singer, Kurt Davies, took to the stage for a 40 minute set during which an impromptu conga made its way around the ballroom.
After the awards were presented, Kurt Davies returned to the stage followed by sax and bongo players who entertained into the early hours.
Ruth Keeler said that the evening was hugely successful and a fitting tribute to the Apprentices who were being celebrated: “All of our apprentices add undeniable value to their place of work, changing the way organisations think and paving the way for new and innovative ways of working. It’s important that we celebrate their achievements and I feel sure that this memorable evening will stay with them forever.
“A huge thanks to Owain Wyn Evans, our sponsors and entertainers, and of course my heartfelt congratulations to all our winners and nominees.”
Maria Coupe of Shout Connect who assisted with the organisation of the event was thrilled with how smoothly the evening ran and how much all who attended enjoyed the evening.
