I THOUGHT MY AGE WOULD BE A BARRIER

I thought my age might be a barrier –but it wasn’t.

Occuptional Therapy apprentice Geraldine Fanning.

School wasn’t great for me and that can have a massive impact on you. But I didn’t want that to hold me back,” says Geraldine Fanning. At 57 she’s now a second year occupational therapy apprentice.

Geraldine was keen to apply to the programme but wondered if her age may be a barrier. She soon discovered it wasn’t.

Work placements have given me so much confidence.

“I knew I still had a lot of years left in my career and I wanted to develop. I’ve always had the mindset and the goal of becoming a qualified member of staff.”

As an assistant practitioner in paediatric therapies, Geraldine is a huge advocate of adult education and she knew she could take things further.

She likes where her apprenticeship has taken her and sees value in the variety that the Mersey Care scheme offers. “My work placements have given me so much confidence. I go back to my team with new ideas and ways of thinking – it’s something I wouldn’t have done without my apprenticeship.”

And she wants to inspire others. “On one placement with the homeless health team, a lady the same age as me said she wanted to be an occupational therapist. When I asked her why she wasn’t doing an apprenticeship she said, ‘I’m too old.’ I said ‘no you’re not’ and told her how to apply. I hope she does because who knows, we may be working together one day.

“I think my mantra could be don’t sit there and wait. Don’t be put off by your age. There are loads of experiences out there waiting for you. I’ve done it later in life, so can you.”