Continuous learning at a children’s mental health charity
Emily supporting Kids Inspire at a summertime event
As I find myself beyond the midway point of an apprenticeship in data literacy, I'm eager to share how the learnings have directly enriched my role at Kids Inspire. I work within the marketing and communications team and have always had a fascination for stories evidenced by the data.
In the spirit of sharing, I've drafted a blog which focuses on professional and personal development, all thanks to this apprenticeship | by Emily Patel
Embracing the Apprenticeship Community
From the start, I've been struck by the camaraderie within the community of my training provider. Engaging with fellow data enthusiasts has not only broadened my perspective but also fostered a spirit of collaboration and support. Together, we've explored new ideas, shared experiences, and ignited each other's passion for data literacy—all with the shared objective of making a positive impact within our organisations.
Looking beyond my apprenticeship, this collaborative ethos has been pivotal in harnessing the power of data internally. By closely collaborating with colleagues from diverse teams, I've gained valuable insights into their unique perspectives and priorities. We’ve been able to align and leverage data more effectively in advancing our shared mission.
“Data is a journey of discovery. From collation, cleaning and analysis, data provides a story backed up by evidence. My course has encouraged me to work collaboratively with colleagues, gaining valuable insight into their unique perspectives and priorities. I am all the richer for the process and especially enjoy being able to share what I have learnt with the team. ” - Emily
Navigating clinical datasets
Delving into the intricacies of clinical datasets has been both daunting and exhilarating. As someone deeply invested in the wellbeing of children, understanding these datasets has been instrumental in my training. It has helped me understand the impact we make and serves as a constant reminder of the real-world implications of our data analyses. Additionally, it fuels my determination to complete my specific data project, irrespective of obstacles, recognising its potential contribution.
On a personal note, delving into this project has been a voyage of growth for me too. It's similar to a personal investment that keeps yielding returns – enhancing my skills and broadening my knowledge, which I regularly offer to share with colleagues. While the primary objective of apprenticeship training is to contribute to our organisation's growth plans, let's not overlook the ripple effects it has on individual growth and development. It's a win-win for all!
Key skills gained so far:
Commercial awareness: Understanding the charity's operations and funding sources can contribute to the expansion of our services.
Data management: Efficiently organising and managing data enables us to monitor progress, pinpoint areas for improvement, and ensure our resources effectively support children.
Problem-solving: Overcoming challenges assists us in determining the most effective ways to support children with their mental health.
Data quality: Ensuring data accuracy and reliability aids us in making informed decisions and accurately measuring the impact of our work.
Data integration: Consolidating data from various sources provides a comprehensive overview of our work and how we positively impact children's mental health, guiding future resource allocation.
Data analytics: Utilising data analysis helps us identify patterns and trends, allowing us to enhance our services and provide tailored support to each child.
Data visualisation: Understanding and skill to build relevant accessible data relationship visuals in a BI tool.
Communication: Effectively communicating data findings enables us to generate support, raise awareness, and advocate for changes that benefit children's mental health.
As I reflect on the past eight months, one thing becomes evident: every challenge, breakthrough, and lesson learned has propelled us forward in our quest for a brighter future for children's mental health. While the road ahead may be uncertain, I am filled with optimism and determination, knowing that our endeavours are making a tangible difference in the lives of those who need it most.
In conclusion, my data literacy apprenticeship has exceeded learning—it has been a voyage of growth, discovery, and purpose. Through it all, the unwavering support of my colleagues and the apprenticeship team has provided me with both motivation and meaning. This entire experience underlines the profound impact that data literacy can have on our surroundings.
-Ends-
Emily has been studying for an apprenticeship in data literacy since October 2023. She is due to complete in October 2024 and endeavours to share her key learning with interested colleagues along the way. Alongside analysing clinical data, Emily has more recently started a project to analyse and measure outputs and the impact of the marketing and communications function.