Our very own Dementia Services Facilitator, Cheryl Banks, has been inspiring a range of people working in the care industry as she delivered a special speech at a graduation ceremony for individuals gaining SVQs in Health and Social Care from Azilo Training.

Individuals were being awarded a range of qualifications from SVQ Health and Social Care Level 2 through to Level 11 at Dundee’s Caird Hall on Wednesday 26th February including Balhousie Luncarty’s manager Lynn Phillips who achieved her Care, Services Leadership and Management qualification. Also team members Kelly Roberts and Kaye McKay also were awarded SVQ Level 3.

Having worked in the care sector for 20 years this year, Cheryl herself has achieved all the SVQ qualifications. She spoke about her experiences working in a range of care roles since she was 18, from care assistant to home manager, and how seizing opportunities to learn has helped her progress during her career.

Cheryl said:

“It was lovely to be asked to speak at the graduation ceremony where some of our colleagues from Balhousie were also receiving their qualifications. I’m very proud to work in the care industry and to have the opportunity to advocate care as a vocation, and not just a job.

“A vocation is described as ‘a strong feeling of suitability for a particular career or occupation’ and I believe that is a great thing to consider when considering a care role.”

Cheryl was delighted to meet many of the graduates and their relatives and make them see what is possible if they continue to gain the various SVQ levels.

“If I have made somebody think: ‘Well, she’s done it, maybe I can get to a management level too’, then that’s brilliant.”