APPRENTICES across south Cumbria and Lancashire were celebrated at the region’s first NHS Health and Care Apprenticeship Awards. 

More than 250 people attended the glittering ceremony held at Stanley House in Blackburn and hosted by The Apprentice’s Aaron Willis. Lead organiser Ruth Keeler, strategic lead for careers and engagement at Lancashire and South Cumbria Health and Care Partnership, and Maria Coupe from The Shout Network wanted the awards to recognise the hard work, commitment and skill of the many apprentices working in health and care across the region.

Ruth Keeler, strategic lead for careers and engagement at Lancashire and South Cumbria Health and Care Partnership, said: “It was a fantastic evening and I’m so pleased we were able to celebrate our apprentices in this way. It’s been a challenging few years in health and care and it’s only right that we take this time to celebrate and thank our apprentices for their efforts.”

Having received almost 300 nominations across 11 categories, including the Above and Beyond, Rising Star and Clinical Apprentice of the Year awards, a team of judges from education, careers and widening participation services from the region selected winners and runners-up in each award category.

Ruth Keeler added: “The quality of the nominations was outstanding. We had representatives from across social care, primary care, local authorities, North West Ambulance Service and hospital trusts in our region. Our judges had a tough task but our winners and runners-up were truly exceptional.”