From St. Helena Island to the UK: A Journey of Opportunities, Apprenticeships & Self-Care as a New Mum

Conversation with Angie & Mike

Summary
Ashton Yon, originally from St. Helena Island, shares her journey of moving to the UK and finding her career path. She came to the UK in search of opportunities. Ashton initially aspired to be a dental hygienist but realized it wasn't for her. She then explored various temp jobs before finding her current role as an apprenticeship lead. She educates employers about the benefits of apprenticeships and helps recruit and train apprentices. Ashton highlights the value of apprenticeships for upskilling existing staff and obtaining nationally recognized qualifications. In this conversation, Ashton Yon discusses her experience as a new mom and her return to work after maternity leave. She talks about the challenges of balancing work and motherhood, the importance of support from her partner and friends, and the financial strain of childcare. Ashton also opens up about her experience with postnatal depression and the need for more open conversations about mental health. She shares her goal of prioritizing self-care and focusing on her physical and mental well-being in the coming year.
Takeaways
Moving to a new country can be overwhelming, but with determination and perseverance, one can overcome challenges and find success.
Apprenticeships are a valuable route for career development and upskilling, offering qualifications and work experience.
Apprenticeships are not limited to school leavers and can be pursued by individuals of any age.
Employers can utilize apprenticeship funds to train and develop their staff, contributing to their professional growth.
Apprenticeships cover a wide range of industries and can lead to nationally recognized qualifications.
Small businesses can benefit from levy transfers, where larger employers transfer their apprenticeship funds to support apprenticeships in smaller organizations. Balancing work and motherhood can be challenging, and it's important to have a supportive partner and friends.
Childcare costs can be a significant financial strain for new parents.
Postnatal depression is a common but often taboo topic, and it's important to seek support and have open conversations about mental health.
Prioritizing self-care and focusing on physical and mental well-being is crucial for new moms.
Returning to work after maternity leave can be a time of adjustment and rebuilding confidence.
Keywords
St. Helena Island, UK, opportunities, family, dental hygienist, Bristol, apprenticeship lead, apprenticeships, mythbuster, upskilling, qualifications, new mom, maternity leave, work-life balance, support, childcare, postnatal depression, mental health, self-care