Competition Success For Affinity’s Leah

Affinity staff member Leah Whelan has made it through to the national finals of a major competition showcasing excellence in social care.

Leah, 25, a support worker and acting team leader with Affinity Supporting People, Accrington, was earlier this year nominated for the WorldSkillsUK Competition for Health and Social Care.

As a result, Leah recently took part in a regional heat, held at Shipley College, and scored third place in the competition, making it through to the UK national finals in November as one of those individuals with the top 10 results.

WorldSkillsUK Skills is organised by the National Skills Academy for Social Care, and forms part of the world’s largest vocational skills competition.

It organises competitions in partnership with organisations from both industry and education, and aims to find the best adult health and social care workers in the country.

Leah was nominated by her tutors at Burnley College, where she is studying a Level 3 apprenticeship. During the competition she was required to demonstrate the delivery of excellent healthcare through a mix of written tests and live activities, assessed by a panel of judges.

She said: “I’m in shock. This has been a very tough process and I’m proud to be representing Affinity at national level. I’d like to thank everyone in our team for all their support.”

Lead judge Pat Pearson said: “Worldskills just gets better and better as a competition and a real showcase for how well social care is carried out.

“It was a pleasure to observe such committed competitors taking part in this heat at Shipley College and to award prizes to some outstanding care workers and students.”