West Suffolk College has awarded a 20 year old who helps to rehabilitate people with brain injuries and neurological conditions with the title of ‘Outstanding Social Care Apprentice of the Year.’

Courtney Prior was rewarded for her hard work, dedication and skill after joining brain injury charity Headway Suffolk at the age of 16 as an apprentice, and completing levels 2 and 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care in just over three years.

Miss Prior has become a valued member of Headway Suffolk’s rehabilitation support team, who assist clients with brain injuries and neurological conditions with their rehabilitation, therapy, life skills, socialisation and cognitive functioning support.

She provides support at Headway’s hubs in Bury St Edmunds and Haverhill, as well as in people’s homes and accessing leisure activities such as going to the cinema, shopping and playing pool in their local community.

Miss Prior, who lives in Shimpling, said: “It’s nice to have the recognition that I put a lot of work into the apprenticeship. I enjoy working with the clients and seeing them achieve their goals.”

She was presented with the award at the college’s Celebration of Achievement gala dinner on June 25 at St Edmundsbury Cathedral in Bury St Edmunds.

Headway Suffolk supports 250 adults a week who have an acquired brain injury or a neurological condition through an extensive range of rehabilitation, therapy and support services.

It has hubs based in Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds, operates satellite hubs in existing community buildings in Felixstowe, Woodbridge and Haverhill, and runs monthly dementia groups in Ipswich and Martlesham.