As part of National Apprenticeship Week 2026, this special episode of Only Human After All explores how apprenticeships are transforming careers.

We meet three apprentices at very different stages of life and work.

Richie is about to qualify as a physiotherapist in his 30s after years of practical experience and self-doubt about whether he had the “right” grades.

Lacey thought her university plans had collapsed before discovering an apprenticeship she didn’t even know existed.

Vinzlee never believed she was “smart enough” and credits the people who believed in her first.

We also speak to Carolyn, our Apprenticeship Lead, about the power of growing our own workforce, widening access and recognising that intelligence is about far more than exam results.

This episode is about confidence, experiential learning, belonging and the impact of someone saying, “You can do this.”

If you think apprenticeships are only for school leavers, this conversation may change your mind.

In this episode of Only Human After All, we meet Amanda Barrett, a nurse by background who now leads major improvement projects across diagnostics.

Amanda talks about her personal journey from ward leadership into project management, and how her nursing identity continues to shape her work. She gives a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the new Community Diagnostic Centre in Mansfield — now open and delivering faster, more accessible tests in a welcoming community setting. Amanda shares the complexities of designing a new healthcare facility from scratch, her passion for patient-centred improvement, and the emotional moments that stay with her from her clinical career.

The conversation also touches on her pride in seeing her daughter become a children's nurse, and the value of following your own path in healthcare. This is a thoughtful and inspiring episode about legacy, leadership, and never losing sight of the patient.

This episode was originally recorded in June 2025.

In this episode, we meet Jo Freeman, Assistant Chief Pharmacist at Sherwood Forest Hospitals for the past 12 years.

When the chief pharmacist post came up, people kept asking why she wasn’t applying. But a colleague warned her about the flattery trap - and Jo chose to stay where she adds the most value.

We explore the misunderstood world of hospital pharmacy, the weight of becoming a prescriber, and why being really good in your job is a complete answer. Jo shares how you can walk into pharmacy with no qualifications and build a career to master’s level, why her teenage dream of being a solicitor lives on in her governance investigations, and the freedom that comes from choosing purpose over promotion.

For anyone who’s ever felt the pressure to climb a ladder they’re not sure they want to be on.