Livewell Southwest received a recent visit from Bejoy Sebastian, President of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), and Nikki Thomas, Senior RCN Officer for the Southwest, to celebrate it’s innovative ‘grow your own’ programme
The programme works by investing in, developing and nurturing current employees, helping them build long-term, secure careers, all while improving services and care. It also helps recruit young people into care roles through a funded training programme, removing the worry of paying tuition fees.
Since 2020, 210 people have been supported by this programme, with a further 87 people currently enrolled.
“This programme is all about investing in our people, to improve the services that we can offer.” said Shona Cornish, Nursing Professional Lead for Livewell.
“This is a great way for people to build long-term careers within the health service, earn while they learn and it aids Livewell in continually improving the quality of care for service users and the community.”
During the visit, the Royal College of Nursing leaders heard about the positive impact the programme is having at Livewell. The programme has three main ‘pathways’ or methods of supporting people. These are the School Leavers New to Care Pathway, the Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship Band 4-5 Development Pathway and the Multi-professional Preceptorship Pathway.
Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship Band 4-5 Development Pathway
Registered Nurses care for patients and are typically responsible for carrying out patient observations, dressing wounds, admitting and discharging patients and liaising with doctors, physios and other members of the patients care team. From here staff have the opportunity to develop in to more senior or specialist Band 6 roles.
Susann has just completed a four-year Registered Nursing Degree Apprenticeship where her university tuition fees were fully funded, and she was provided with dedicated time to study and embed her learning into practice. Enamul is currently halfway through his journey.
Susann Dickson
Susann currently works as a Registered Nurse within the Dementia Pathway Service and began working with Livewell in 2013.
In that time, she has progressed from a Band 2 Community Support Worker to a Band 5 Registered Nurse.
Susann said, “With support from Livewell, I was given the opportunity to apply and complete a Nursing Associate Foundation Degree through Plymouth University. After my studies in 2020, I was successful in applying for a Band 4 Nursing Associate within Liaison Psychiatry. Following this, I successfully progressed from Band 4 to Band 5 by completing the top-up qualification. I’m now proud to be working within the Dementia Pathway and looking forward to my future career.”
Enamul Hoque
Enamul currently works as a Nurse Degree Apprentice in the First Response Service.
“I started working at Livewell seven years ago as a Band 3 Drug and Alcohol Support Worker with the Complex Needs Team. After one year, I was offered the role of Nursing Associate. It was very enticing to be paid and go to university with tuition covered.
“Once I completed the Nursing Associate course, I decided a change in role would be good further experience. I joined First Response for one year supporting with immediate crisis over the phone. During this time, I started the Band 5 Mental Health Nursing Degree and I’m working towards the completion of this now – with the aspiration of reaching a Band 6 role.
“Throughout my seven years with Livewell I have never loved a job so much and this is all thanks to the grow your own programme.”
School Leavers New to Care Programme
Nursing Associates provide care while under supervision of a Registered Nurse and are responsible for supporting patients with personal care, taking vital signs and helping them maintain independence and dignity.
Thomas and Sophie have completed a two-year Student Nursing Associate (SNA) Foundation Degree Apprenticeship where their university tuition fees were fully funded, and they were paid to put their learning into practice.
Sophie Doyne-Ditmas
Sophie currently works as a Student Nursing Associate (SNA) in the CAMHS Eating Disorder Pathway.
Sophie had the opportunity to discuss her development from leaving college and heading straight into a Student Nursing Associate (SNA) role.
She said, “I was given a job in the CAMHS Eating Disorders Pathway service, and I’m so grateful that I was given this opportunity – the School Leavers Programme kickstarted my career.
“There is great value in Livewell going into schools to educate people about the role, as I wouldn’t have known it was an option otherwise.
“I would love it if more people could have knowledge and access to this fantastic opportunity.”
Thomas Oliver
Thomas currently works as a Student Nursing Associate (SNA) at the Glenbourne Unit.
“I worked as a Healthcare Assistant on Harford Ward for six months before I was able to start my course. Then in March 2023, I went to the University of Plymouth every Tuesday.
“Working whilst being paid and going to university at the same time has been really beneficial. It has allowed me to still feel financially secure whilst learning. I have not had to pay a penny, and I have been paid for the privilege to work in this environment and go into nursing at the same time.
To read more about Thomas’s journey, please visit: https://www.livewellsouthwest.co.uk/news/2025/05/12/introducing-our-next-gen-nurses-on-international-nurses-day
Reflecting on her time spent with Livewell Southwest colleagues, Nikki Thomas, Senior RCN Officer for the Southwest, commented, “Thank you to Livewell for bringing together such a wonderful display of staff development from school leavers to senior nursing staff. It was a joy to see such enthusiasm for nursing, genuine support for each other and understand the connections to Plymouth as a hometown as well as an employer.
“Bejoy and I were delighted to spend time with you all and to hear the experiences from the staff”.
