Evolve Housing + Support is a London-based charity supporting people experiencing homelessness and vulnerable people. Evolve were looking for an apprenticeship provider who could offer a relevant curriculum, excellent teaching and learner support, to help new recruits upskill into the role of support worker.
Community Matters began working with Evolve in October 2024, delivering the Community Health and Wellbeing Worker apprenticeship to a group of passionate new starters, excited to begin their careers at Evolve. The following two stories showcase how the partnership is helping individuals learn new skills and build their careers.
Sarah, support worker
I was delighted to find an apprenticeship opportunity that aligned with my passion for social justice and advocacy. Many entry-level roles in this sector often require unpaid volunteering to gain experience, so it was incredible to find a paid opportunity that also offers a professional qualification.
Starting my career as a support worker through an apprenticeship has been a fantastic foundation. You learn so much on the job, but it’s equally valuable to have formal training to support and shape best practice. Being on a learning journey alongside others also creates a really supportive environment.
One of the most impactful parts of the programme for me has been the focus on interpersonal and communication skills. As a support worker, these are absolutely vital — we’re engaging with people from all walks of life, often in challenging circumstances. Learning how to approach individuals in different ways and how to “frame” difficult conversations has had a real effect on my practice. It’s helped me meet my professional goals and, ultimately, better support my clients.
Community Matters has been incredibly supportive throughout my apprenticeship. I have ADHD, and right from the start the team asked about my needs and how they could help. They’ve been fantastic whenever I’ve needed extra direction or clarity. Because of my neurodiversity, I find it difficult to concentrate, especially when studying alone. That’s one of the main reasons the apprenticeship model appealed to me: it’s practical and hands-on. Community Matters also delivers face-to-face workshops, which has made a big difference. My tutor is engaging and encourages everyone to participate, which leads to great discussions and a more stimulating learning experience.
“The biggest compliment I can give the course is that I only wish I’d discovered apprenticeships earlier! For me, it’s a far more engaging and effective way to learn than traditional higher education — and it’s helped me thrive both professionally and personally.”
Mohamed Yusuf, support worker
Before starting this journey, I had some apprehensions about apprenticeships. I genuinely thought they were only for trades and didn’t realise how relevant and valuable they could be in helping me become a support worker. Breaking into this field can be difficult, so I was thrilled to discover, and then be accepted onto, a programme where I could earn while I learn, gaining both hands-on experience and a recognised qualification.
Starting out as an apprentice in this field has given me a solid foundation. I feel a real sense of belonging and purpose in my role, and the training has developed not just my skills, but my confidence too. It’s been a genuine journey of growth.
One area I’ve found particularly valuable is the training on interpersonal and communication skills. In my role, I interact with a wide range of stakeholders — clients, partners and colleagues — so learning to adapt my communication style has been key, especially when working with individuals for whom English may not be their first language or who have specific learning needs. The safeguarding training has also been especially impactful. I now have a clear framework to guide my decisions and feel much more confident in this critical area.
“I hadn’t been in formal education since I was a teenager, so I was a bit nervous at the start. But the structure of the programme, the support from my workplace, and the quality of my tutor quickly put my mind at ease.”
I honestly can’t speak highly enough of my tutor. She’s engaging, open, approachable, and always makes the learning relevant to our work. She has boosted my confidence massively, and I only wish I’d had teachers like her when I was at school! I still have a few months to go on my apprenticeship, and I’m excited to complete it. It’s already helped me grow into my role as a support worker and has given me a new confidence in my ability to succeed in education. I would absolutely recommend apprenticeships without hesitation to anyone looking to develop their career, especially if, like me, you didn’t think this path was for you.