Publish date: 9 February 2026
Meet Anthony Roberts. Local guy, good life experience, wants to do something to help other people. And this week, an award winner too.
Anthony has been part of the apprenticeship scheme Mersey Care runs with Hugh Baird College. It gives would-be care assistants the chance to gain valuable skills enabling them to be ready to take up job opportunities in our services.
This week (9-16 February) is National Apprenticeship Week and Anthony’s tutor at Hugh Baird has recognised him as a rising star, presenting him with a glass trophy.
“I just like helping patients and supporting them through their care,” says Anthony. Since starting late last year, he has completed placements with Secure across a range of care pathways. He recalls positive interactions with patients who were hard to reach but responded to his friendly engagement. He adds: “There was even one patient who didn’t engage with anyone. They asked me to play pool – they wouldn’t do it with anyone else and I was able to see them improve and respond to their care.”
Maya Gallagher is Anthony’s college tutor at Hugh Baird where he spends a day a week. She said: “I’m delighted to have successfully nominated Anthony. He’s an excellent student and has really embraced the whole apprenticeship programme. I can see him going far.”
Each year, two cohorts of 15 students join the scheme. Not just from school. They are from a range of backgrounds and, like Anthony, many have got plenty of life experience already. Students have a detailed induction with the Division, with a strong focus on safety and security, before gaining experience across different types of secure services. Anthony has worked in learning disability, women’s care pathway and high secure. He also continues the necessary academic work to complete his apprenticeship and takes part in reflective practice sessions.
Amy Harvey, Senior Clinical Nurse in High Secure Services and Offender Health, endorses his award. She says: “Lots of experienced colleagues speak highly of Anthony’s work and positive attitude. I’m really pleased for him and look forward to seeing him progress and, we hope, become a substantive member of the team and a valued full time member of staff with us.”
As Anthony himself says; “I really enjoy it. It’s all about making connections.”
