AN apprentice at a care home in Taunton has made it through to the final of the Apprenticeship Awards 2022.

Mia Churchley, who works at The Rectory Care Home, has been nominated by her colleagues for the Bridgwater and Taunton College Apprenticeship Awards 2022.

Out of 400 nominations, Mia has been invited to the final awards ceremony next month.

Mia, who is just 17, has completed her apprenticeship in record time and is now qualified to senior level already.

"I was shocked when told I had been nominated for the award," said Mia.

"Completing an apprenticeship/NVQ hasn't been easy, especially during the pandemic.

"Having to learn from home and only actually having face to face interaction once every couple of months made learning much more difficult, but it makes you realise how we overcome curve balls that are given in these times.

"I have had the support of some great people who also helped be to believe in myself.”

When the care home residents caught Covid, Mia was the first person to volunteer to go into the coronavirus wing to help the patients - as she was young and therefore the least likely to become poorly with the virus.

Angela Hine, who nominated Mia for the award, said she is a 'very hard worker' and that she 'will do anything' for the residents.

“The Rectory Care Home is incredibly proud of Mia and profoundly grateful for all her efforts, support and kindness," she added.

"She has wholeheartedly embraced her apprenticeship and always gone above and beyond what was expected of her.

"She is an inspiration to others and to get into the finals is a massive achievement in itself.

"To show our appreciation we have awarded Mia with her very own paddleboard and we hope she has hours of fun with it to compensate for the hours of dedication she has shown to residents at The Rectory.”

Bridgwater and Taunton College Apprenticeship Awards take place every year and brings together the colleges employer partners, apprentices and staff for an evening of celebration.

This year, the final of the awards will be at The McMillan Theatre on May 5 at 6.30pm.