Meet the Team: apprentice Laura Cherry

Laura has been working with Glendale since July 2014 when she joined the company as an apprentice events coordinator.

The 26-year-old works alongside events coordinator, Gemma Buttell, at the company’s contract with Lewisham Council, undertaking a variety of tasks from writing management plans and event applications to compiling adverts and carrying out site meetings.  

She is also studying for an NVQ in events management and has recently passed the first module.  

Laura is a single mum of one and the apprenticeship has given her the opportunity to get back into work whilst ensuring she can still spend plenty of time with her daughter.  

Laura’s biggest achievement with Glendale so far has been writing the Green Flag management plan for Mountsfield Park which was subsequently awarded Green Flag status.  She is also currently coordinating her first event completely solo event gaining valuable experience in organising all of the health and safety, first aid, food and hygiene requirements as well as marketing and event management.  

She comments: “The advantage of doing this scheme is that it enables me to learn while also getting a qualification and I am really enjoying meeting and working with new people.  

“Since being at Glendale I have become more confident and a lot more focused on the future.  I have also found that I am a lot happier and I have enjoyed having a life away from being a mum, doing something for myself.  

“The most challenging experience has been adjusting to the change in routine and not having as much time to spend with my daughter.  Our time together is even more precious now and we have both reaped the rewards that this change has brought.”

Laura isn’t sure what the future has in store for her yet but she would like to complete a food hygiene course, undertake first aid training and pass her driving test after she has completed her apprenticeship.  She comments: “I would eventually like to progress to a job within the events management sector that is a bit more food based as I have a weakness for baking that I’d like to take advantage of!”

Laura will complete her apprenticeship with Glendale in spring 2016.