A former NVQ student who cares for the disabled has been recognised for her dedication by a local charity.
Danielle McMullen was recognised by young persons' support organisation Rathbone for her work at Cleator Moor care base.
She revealed that she struggled with studies while at college, but that she had enrolled in alternative courses to improve her basic literacy and numeracy skills.
Ms McMullen is now set to start training as a care worker at the Bethel House residential care home for the elderly, reports the News & Star.
"Since leaving school and not knowing what to do I have now got an NVQ level two in health and social care," she commented.
Her twin sister Aimee has been inspired by her sister's performance and is also pursuing a career as a care worker.
Like Danielle, Aimee found studying at college difficult so took steps to improve her reading and writing skills as well as her ability with numbers.
Danielle commented: "I am glad that we have done this together."
The value of doing an NVQ course was recently highlighted to the Sutton Guardian by Julia Sinclair, general manager for cancer services for the Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust.
She told the publication: "Getting an extra qualification like this is a real boost to your confidence and reminds you that you're doing a good job."
Ms Sinclair said completing the course had been hard work but stated that the effort was "worth it".
Get qualifications whilst doing your job – see our range of NVQs and speak to your line manager about the benefits of taking an NVQ with learndirect.