As we continue our celebrations for National Apprenticeship Week 2026, we’re pleased to introduce Claire, an apprentice with Friendship at Home.
With support from the North East Lincolnshire Social Work Academy, based within Focus, Claire is developing her skills and confidence in her role. We spoke with her to find out what her apprenticeship has been like so far.
Meet Friendship at Home Apprentice, Claire
Focus: Claire, tell us a bit about yourself and what inspired you to pursue a career in social work?
Claire: I began working in role such as home care and in Care home supporting older adults and found this felt natural to me and gave me a strong sense of purpose. Through different working roles I have seen the strengths of older people and the challenges they face which shaped my passion to work in social care. Nearly nine years ago I started working at Friendship at Home support older people in the community and I saw first-hand on a daily basis injustices, older people should be respected and cherished but are often forgotten when families move away. The loneliness many experience effects both mental and physical health many older people struggle in silence, it is seeing this that has driven me and made me determined to advocate and make an impact to change this. Working alongside Lyse and Mandy at Friendship at Home in practice has been inspiring, seeing the support, knowledge and dedication has encouraged me to want to do more for older people in the community.
To me, social work is about more than just support; it is about restoring dignity through kindness, empathy, and advocacy. My path began in residential care, but my passion was truly shaped by my own life skills and personal caring responsibilities, which gave me a natural aptitude for supporting others.
During my nine years at ‘Friendship at Home,’ I have worked to combat the ‘struggle in silence’ that affects so many older adults. I rely heavily on my counselling background to connect with people, using effective communication to build trust with those who feel isolated or abandoned. I have seen how loneliness erodes mental and physical health, and I am determined to be a force for social injustice. Working alongside inspiring mentors like Lyse and Mandy has shown me the impact of dedicated social work. I want to combine that professional inspiration with my personal passion for people to ensure that the older generation is respected, heard, and valued.
Focus: Why did you choose the apprenticeship route into social work?
Claire: My motivation is specifically rooted in wanting to support the NEL community. The apprenticeship route appeals to me because it allows me to train within the specific systems and culture of this Local Authority. I chose the apprenticeship route because I am a kinesthetic learner; I learn best by doing. While academic rigor is vital, I believe social work is fundamentally about human connection and crisis management, skills that are best honed in a real-world environment. By choosing the apprenticeship, I can immediately apply the legal frameworks I learn at university to real cases the very next day. This ensures that my practice is always grounded in reality, not just theory. I want to end my qualification not just with a degree, but with three years of solid, hands-on experience already under my belt.
Focus: Can you describe a moment that made you feel proud of the work you’re doing?
Claire: One moment that stands out was supporting an older person who had been experiencing long-term loneliness and had gradually withdrawn from community services and social contact. They were initially very reluctant to engage and found it difficult to trust professionals. By taking time the time to build a rapport and listen, be consistent, they slowly began to open up.
Over time, I was able to support them to reconnect with their community and attend a local social group where they built a network of friends and felt part on the community again. Seeing the change in their confidence and wellbeing, and hearing them say they felt “seen” and no longer alone, made me feel incredibly proud. It reinforced why I do this work and how small, compassionate actions can have a life-changing impact.
Focus: What advice would you give to someone thinking about becoming a social work apprentice?
Claire: I would say go for it with a willingness to learn not just academically, but emotionally and personally as well. The apprenticeship route can be challenging because you are balancing work, study, and complex situations, but it is also incredibly rewarding.
Take every opportunity to learn from the people around you, especially your mentors and colleagues, and don’t be afraid to ask questions or reflect on your practice. Some days will be difficult, but those experiences will shape you into a more resilient, empathetic, and confident social worker. If you are passionate about helping people and making a difference in your community, the apprenticeship route gives you the strongest foundation to do that.
Think you have what it takes to pursue a career in social care?
Keep an eye out on our careers page for opportunites to work af Focus. You never know, you could be a social work apprentice one day!
