At Everybody Sport and Recreation, their apprentices are extremely hardworking and dedicated, and with support from the fantastic Everybody Academy team – they continue to go from strength to strength in their careers.
Holly’s story, a Level 2 Fitness Apprentice, is an amazing one. Before starting with Everybody, Holly was having a difficult time, she hadn’t been in school since the age of 14, and struggled with mental health issues resulting in her spending time in a mental health institute. She found a passion for fitness, with it becoming an escape from reality and something to focus on, she claims that “fitness gave me a sense of achievement”.
When she felt ready, she decided she wanted to work within the fitness industry. Holly got in contact with the Volunteer Programme at Everybody and was signposted to their Apprentice Scheme. With no qualifications, Holly didn’t think she was in with a chance of being offered one but applied ‘just in case’. She impressed staff at Everybody and was offered an apprenticeship.
Starting her apprenticeship was what Holly cited as the reason she came out of her shell and increased her confidence. The Everybody team supported her in her development and allowed her to work within different sectors of the leisure industry (including lifeguarding, reception work and more). Through workshops she also learnt about other elements of the business and understood the different job opportunities available.
She began delivering fitness classes and creating programmes for members and decided personal training was where she wanted to be. Holly was determined and fast tracked her apprenticeship. In January, she will be a fully qualified personal trainer, with a growing list of eager clients waiting to work with her.
Holly has been recognised for her hard work and dedication and has won numerous awards, including the Special Apprentice Recognition at the South Cheshire Chamber Awards, where her manager Jade Stone said
“Holly is a real asset to our company and her passion and drive is a real inspiration to other employees. She is a great role model for new apprentices and staff joining the company as she always does her best to support everyone around her.”
She also won the ‘Learner of the Year’ Award at the recent Everybody Staff Awards, where she was nominated by numerous colleagues for her hard work and dedication to Everybody.
Holly has since secured a permanent role at Everybody, working in Holmes Chapel Community Centre and Alsager Leisure Centre. Her long term aims include setting up a programme to support those suffering with mental health through exercise.
When asked what she would say to someone thinking of applying for an apprenticeship with Everybody, she said “just give it a try, you learn more than just your job role. You make friends and grow as a person. I don’t know where I’d be if I hadn’t started with Everybody, and I am now enjoying looking to the future with the company.”
Apprenticeship opportunities for 2020 are now available with Everybody Sport and Recreation in Marketing, Human Resources, Catering, Leisure and Sports Development. If you would like to find out more, please visit www.everybody.org.uk or email [email protected]
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Notes to Editor
Everybody Sport & Recreation – Everybody is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee. As a Health and Wellbeing Charity, Everybody Sport and Recreation aims to provide ‘leisure for life’ by changing lives through healthy recreation. The charity operates 16 leisure facilities across the Cheshire East region as well as a range of Health, Leisure Development and Outreach programmes and the new Everybody Academy, providing local training and career opportunities. For more information please visit: www.everybody.org.uk or follow on Twitter @ebleisure.
Media Contact
Name: Lucy Lennon
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