Say Hello to Kirsty
Kirsty is an Apprentice Support Coach with our Kirklees Horton Intervention and Prevention Service (HIPS).
I was previously working in a care home, but I quickly realised that it was not my calling. At that point in my life, I recognised that I needed additional support to better understand and manage the life choices I had made. I received housing support from Home Group, where I was offered the opportunity to take part in a mentoring programme. I embraced this opportunity, knowing it would be a valuable stepping stone to gaining new skills and building meaningful connections. At the time, I struggled with day-to-day tasks such as using public transport, which caused me significant anxiety. I knew that if I wanted to move forward, I needed to develop new skills to help me overcome these challenges. Through my lived experience of life’s challenges, I became motivated to use my journey as a positive example. I wanted to become a role model and inspire others to see what is possible by saying, “Look how far you’ve come.”
I soon realised that this was a path I wanted to pursue further when an opportunity arose within Horton Housing’s HIPS Team. My first role was covering a maternity leave post for approximately four months. During this time, I was fully committed to the role and demonstrated strong dedication. When the role came to an end, I was offered an apprenticeship position in recognition of the effort and passion I had shown. I felt that I had so much more to give and was eager to continue developing within the organisation. Although I knew it wouldn’t happen overnight, there was a chance that I could remain within the team, which filled me with excitement.
When I was offered the Apprentice Support Coach position, I was overwhelmed with emotion and tears of joy, as I finally knew I had found my calling. This role aligns with both my lived experience and my passion to support others, and I am confident that this is a career I can continue to grow and build upon.
The support I have received from my managers and colleagues has been phenomenal. I truly could not ask for a better team. They are amazing and have supported me every step of the way. More than colleagues, they feel like family, and the encouragement and understanding shown by everyone has been incredible. The most valuable skill I have learned so far is maintaining professional boundaries, and I have reflected on this with my Line Manager and my Apprenticeship Tutor. This reflection has supported my personal and professional growth.
A typical day as an Apprentice begins by arriving at the office, making a Cuppa, and preparing for the day ahead. My daily tasks can vary and may include completing administrative work and contacting participants either by phone or through face-to-face appointments. No two days are the same, some days are quieter, while others can be more challenging but each day brings new learning opportunities. Regardless of what the day involves, I come into the office motivated and ready to face any challenges, whether positive or difficult. I approach my role with a proactive and resilient mindset, always prepared to deal with whatever situations arise.
I would advise anyone thinking of going down the apprenticeship route to do it!
Say Hello to Ash
Ash is an Early Intervention and Prevention Apprentice working at YPASS!
I started in late May 2025, and had recently left my previous employment before starting here due to the managers not being the best of people towards me. I was struggling to find another place of employment, and looking for a change of scenery and something that I’d enjoy compared to the job I had before. That’s when I heard of Horton Housing, and the YPASS job specifically. I’m particularly eager in supporting people with whatever challenges they face, whether it’s their mental health, or challenges due to homelessness. After having read through the job description, I knew that this was the place I wanted to work, and that I wanted to be part of a supportive team who helps young people in these areas.
Colleagues and managers have supported me with learning how the systems work and how to use them, doing assessments with our young people, and having meaningful communication with the people who use our service. Managers have supported me with my induction, getting me settled into the job and booking me onto the necessary training, as well as helping with my mental health when needed.
The most valuable skill that I have learnt so far is communication, especially with speaking to other professionals. When I first started, I was anxious to communicate with anyone over the phone, which is bridged over from my personal life. As a result of the support I have received from colleagues, and their kind words, I can now happily make phone calls, know what I need to say and if there’s any follow up tasks that need to be done after the call. I am extremely grateful that I’ve learnt this skill as it can also be incorporated into my personal life too, taking the stress out of phone calls for me altogether.
A typical day at works for me looks like this: I handle referrals, book assessments and complete any assessments that have been booked in for that day, I have contact with the young people I support to see how they’re doing and what support I could offer them at that moment, I buzz tenants into the property, and I answer the black office phone too.
I would advise anyone who is interested in doing an apprenticeship to do it! During my time working here so far, I have learnt a lot more through the mix of practical learning and college work, compared to if I was sat in a college classroom learning it theoretically. As there is a mix of learning in an apprenticeship, it allows you to learn the sector that you’re working in on a deeper level. It has helped with understanding my role and what impact my job has on the young people I work with.
Say Hello to Louise
Louise is a Customer Service Administration Assistant Apprentice at the Head Office
I became interested in apprenticeships when I decided I needed a change in career. At first, I went onto the National Careers Service website and did a skills assessment, which provides guidance on which careers may be best for you based on the skills you have. All you have to do is answer a few questions and it gives you a list of different careers into which you can look.
I began looking on the government website and after about a month I found Horton’s job advertisement for an Admin Apprentice. I read the job description, and what caught my eye was the course I would be doing, which is Level 3 Business Administration. It is a qualification that can be used in different roles and can lead to other qualifications in the future. I have always been interested in a role in admin as I thought it would be a job I would be good at, and it would be a great role for me to gain progress on my challenges such as talking over the phone, which I am now very confident with.
Unfortunately, my dyslexia was stopping me from trying to get into administration for the longest time, but in the end, it was just a barrier I was putting up for myself.
Since starting, Horton has supported me in various ways regarding my dyslexia, such as downloading software onto my computer which acts as an overlay to help me read any documents or work, I am doing. I also have a physical overlay to read any paper documents and review paper notes. Kaynaat Amjad and Helen Searle helped me put these in place as they understood how much it would help me with completing tasks and would assist in allowing my work to run more smoothly. The ability to multitask is an amazing skill I have gained since I started working here. There are times when everything seems to happen all at once in Reception at Head Office, so I must remain patient and stay calm to get things done without missing anyone’s queries or concerns. As someone who works on reception, people come to you in confidence asking for your help, so you need to be able to find the solution they need in any situation.
The advice I would give to someone thinking about starting an apprenticeship is to go for it. It is a great way to gain new skills and qualifications. It is a good start for anyone wanting a change in career. There is no age limit. If you are someone who needs visual representation or to physically do a task themselves to understand it and learn things more easily alongside doing their course, then an apprenticeship could be for you. It also allows you to flow from education into a full-time role a lot more easily.