National Apprenticeship Week 2025: “I hope my experiences will prove to be a useful force towards my HFEA work”

I joined the HFEA in November 2024, after receiving a place on the Government Communications Service (GCS) apprenticeship programme over the summer. The experience so far has been very welcoming, and I have learnt so much already.

I started sixth form in 2019, keen to begin my A levels, and the year started well. I enjoyed studying Politics, History, and English Literature and became a Senior Prefect. The first few months of studying reaffirmed to me that I wished to study Politics at university then go on to work in the Civil Service. However, following the first term of Sixth Form, life started to become more complicated. Over the Christmas period I was informed that the heart surgery I had been needing since I was a young child was to be taking place in January. I had many consultations and scans in the months prior, but it had never truly sunk in until then. Previously, as a child, I had been able to push away any worry with the usual ‘we will see you this time next year’ at my annual appointments, however this wasn’t to be the case going forward.

During the consultations I had been offered three different procedures. The first option, the Pears and Ross procedure, was rather newly developed and would provide me with the least long-term complications if the doctors agreed it would be suitable. Meanwhile, the other two would either be detrimental to my health if I were to carry a child or would require me to have heart surgery at least every decade for the rest of my life. Prior to these consultations I had been blissfully unaware of how much my life could change. To be given these options at such a young age, not knowing when or if I would want children, was a terrifying prospect. I remember having so many questions racing around my head, but being too afraid to ask, in fear of the answers.

I went into hospital in January 2020 with the safety of knowing I would be having the Pears and Ross procedure, as it was deemed suitable. However, the evening before surgery, I was again faced with the question: if the procedure failed, which of the other two I’d prefer, something I hadn’t factored into thinking about for a second time. I made the decision that if there were any complications my parents could decide on my behalf. Thankfully the surgery was successful, but I was discharged from hospital into the ‘Covid world’. The months that followed were challenging, but with my family and friends by my side I got through. I returned to sixth form for a few days before being sent home again when all schools were closed. I spent the following months completing online schooling and figuring out what I wanted my future to look like.

I finished sixth form in 2021 and went on to study Politics and International Relations at university. I really enjoyed my time studying and knew that I was keen to continue learning once my degree had finished. However, I was unsure in what form this would take, until I came across this apprenticeship. I applied for the apprenticeship while studying and had my interview in the spring just after I had finished third year. The apprenticeship felt like the perfect answer to my post-university plans, I would be able to continue learning while also working and getting on the job experience as a Civil Servant.

I found out I had a received a place on the apprenticeship scheme while I was at my grandparents’ house. They were so happy and proud of me, and I couldn’t wait to call my parents and my brother to tell them the good news. It really felt like 2024 was the year when things were finally falling into place. I finished university, turned 21, and received a job offer all within a few months. In September 2024, I graduated university with a First, a grade that I had worked for hard for over the three years I was there. I was truly proud of myself and felt I had proved to myself that I can do whatever I put my mind to. I honestly believe the experiences I had when I was younger have made me the person I am today.

Fast forward to now and I have been working at the HFEA for three months. I have already learnt so much, both in terms of media and communications, but also in fertility and the work of the HFEA. So far, I have written internal awareness posts, responded to media enquiries, produced a template for a newsletter, written copy for the internal newsletter, produced and uploaded social media content, written this blog, as well as many other tasks with lots more to come. I hope that my experiences will prove to be a useful force towards my work at the HFEA.

About the author:

Eleanor is working as a PR and Communications Assistant within the Communications team at the HFEA. She joined under the Government Communications Service apprenticeship scheme, so will be both working and learning while at the HFEA.