St Richard’s cleaner learns the value of studying
A DYSLEXIC cleaner at St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester who left school without any qualifications is flying through her studies 20 years later.
Rosie Mills, who has spent her adult life struggling with basic reading and writing, is now gaining qualifications for her work – and getting a ‘real buzz’ out of learning.
The 49-year-old (pictured on the right with Carol Mainhardt, domestic services manager), who began working as a cleaner at St Richard’s in the mid-1980s, took her NVQ Level I in Cleaning and Support Services in 2003.
“I had never had any qualifications before, but I will be doing more,” said Rosie, who lives in Chichester.”
“It is a real buzz, and when you have got a taste for it you want to carry on. I was nervous about doing qualifications, but my reading and writing are much better now – it wasn’t easy for me at all but it really helps me outside of work.”
This was the first time she had studied for a qualification in her adult life, and she has now gone on to complete a range of Skills for Life courses at Chichester College.
With help from her employer, Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust, Rosie has already begun the NVQ Level II in Cleaning and Support Service Skills at the college and is planning more study to boost her reading and writing skills still further.
In December she was nominated for an employee star award by the trust and health bosses have described her as ‘a real inspiration’.
Joanne Hauffe, learning and development nurse, said: “We know some of the courses were not easy for Rosie, but her positive attitude means she has made real progress.”
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Monday 28 May 2012
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