Every year Oxford University Hospitals’ (OUH) apprenticeship team take the day to celebrate the successes of their apprentices and all those that work to deliver them. In 2025, the peer workers shone brightly, with two SFJ Awards-assessed apprentices winning accolades.
Peer workers support to individuals using knowledge gained from their own lived experience of health and/or social problems, and from potentially having used support services themselves in the past. They operate alongside other professionals in a variety of environments to better support individuals to access services.
Find out more about the role of peer workers →
Vicki Taylor, Senior Peer Support Worker, was given the Apprentice of the Year award. Her positive impact in the workplace has secured her a promotion to her senior position – something which she credits to her apprenticeship.
She won the award for the dedication she put in to overcome her fears of public speaking and presenting to audiences, and seeking out opportunities for development. In her observations and service user feedback, it was clear that Vicki was a compassionate and person-centred practitioner. Her exceptional ability to work with people experiencing mental distress and help people to develop self-management and problem-solving skills makes her an invaluable member of the team.
Not only this, but Vicki is supportive to colleagues, fostering a positive learning environment and coaching her fellow peer workers. We have no doubt that her progression is placing her well to support future generations of apprentices and peer workers in OUH.
Vicki says: “Securing the new job role of Senior Peer Support Worker – I am certain this would not have been possible without the personal and professional growth attained by attending the apprenticeship. I have been recommending the course to anyone who will listen!”
Pete Logan, Peer Support Worker, was recognised in the Rising Star Apprenticeship award category, given to those who have shown significant improvement during their apprenticeship. Pete has grabbed the apprenticeship experience by both hands, using the opportunity for personal self-development to achieve outcomes for patients.
He has overcome challenges that were a legacy of a lack of schooling in his youth in order to make sure he could communicate and provide information for the people he supports.
Pete says “I will be looking to a far brighter future because of this apprenticeship, for me I guess it seemed impossible some years ago.
“All credit to my tutors and fellow students for getting me to here. And a note to anyone teaching or mentoring – keep in mind that great teachers will always be remembered because their students will go on to do great things.”
And, on that note, there was also a chance to celebrate those who support apprentices’ progression on the learning journey. Debi Joyce, Lived Experience and Peer Worker Apprenticeship Lead, was recognised with the Apprenticeship Tutor of the Year Award. If the progress and achievements of Vicki and Pete are anything to go by, it was a very well-deserved award indeed!
SFJ Awards provide End-Point Assessments for the Level 3 Peer Worker apprenticeship standard, a vital addition to the public services sector, with roles than can be found across healthcare, local authorities, probation and other services that help protect public health and safety. If you’re looking to onboard peer worker apprentices, get in touch with us today to see how we can help.
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