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Work Placement Testimonials

Melissa Jones - Occupational Therapist Degree Apprenticeship

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Melissa Jones
Occupational Therapist Degree Apprenticeship

I began working at WWL as a Healthcare Assistant 10 years ago and three years into the job, became a Therapy Assistant working alongside Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary.

I didn’t really know what an Occupational Therapist did until I began working with them and I loved it! I had heard about degree apprenticeships and thought they sounded like a fantastic opportunity, but I didn’t want to stop working.

I moved to another Trust and worked within the community as a Therapy Assistant but returned to WWL in 2022, working at Wrightington Hospital and all thoughts of the degree apprenticeships had left my mind. I was happy in my current role and didn’t see myself at the age of 36 going back to studying. However, after discussing with my family, the chance to complete a fully funded University degree, whilst still working and being able to provide for my family, was an opportunity not to be missed.

I started the Occupational Therapist Degree Apprenticeship in September 2024 and attend University one day a week, working in my current role the other four days. I really enjoy my time at University and am learning more about the job I love to do, learning new skills and looking at my role from a different perspective. 

I have made new friends and have lots of support from my colleagues, but it isn’t an easy journey. There is a lot of work to be done alongside my full-time work and running a house with a small child and everything else life throws at you, but would I change it? Absolutely not! To know that I will have a career as an Occupational Therapist at the end of it is very exciting and I am grateful to have the chance to complete this apprenticeship.