TWO Herefordshire carers are celebrating their graduation success.

Herefordshire care provider Services for Independent Living (SIL) is celebrating the success of two of their employees who have graduated with a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care, Adults, Children and Young People’s Services.

Lisa Bradley, the Registered Manager for SIL’s Independent Living at Home (ILH) service, and Donna Tranter, an ILH Team Leader, spent over two years studying for the qualification but were rewarded for their efforts when they both found out they passed earlier in the year.

Unfortunately, Ms Tranter was unable to attend the graduation ceremony which took place last week in Hereford Cathedral, but Mrs Bradley went along to fly the flag for SIL and be part of the event hosted by Herefordshire & Ludlow College.

The Ceremony was opened by the Chancellor, Reverend Canon Chris Pullen, and guests were welcomed by College Principal David Williams before an address by Deputy Provost Ann Jordan.

A huge surprise for Mrs Bradley was that a number of SIL’s service users went along to wish her well and share her special day.

She said: “I was really emotional when I saw them all there – everyone else seemed to have family with them, so I felt lucky that I had my work family!”

SIL actively encourages and supports its employees to undertake personal and professional development, recognising that not only is this beneficial for individuals but it is also good for both the organisation and service users.

Mrs Bradley said: “SIL was very supportive of me during the time I was studying and it was especially useful to be able to draw on the experience of service users and support workers to help me complete assignments. 

“The research into the legislative side of management allowed me to develop my level of competence in that area. I already had extensive management training and experience, but this focused my mind on how to use these skills in a Social Care setting.”

Ms Tranter agreed and said that gaining this qualification has opened her career opportunities in social care.