Gbemi who also lives in the local area was placed as an Apprentice Resident Liaison Officer at Grahame Park Estate. Based in the northwest of the Borough of Barnet in Colindale, the programme of regeneration aims to create a new and thriving community. This large scale project on the second largest estate in Europe has involved consultation with Barnet Homes Grahame Park residents to improve the quality of housing by bringing them up to the Decent Homes Standard, and enhance the overall layout of the estate.

Gbemi is completing her apprenticeship with Essential Site Skills and not only building up relevant work experience and skills in business administration, but also customer service, and invaluable skills in the workplace such as conflict resolution. The apprenticeship is enabling her to grow the social confidence to deal with a diverse range of customers and people in her day to day duties. Gbemi said she now feels ready to take on full time employment.

‘Thank you for nominating me for the Rising Star award I am truly thrilled to be considered.’  

‘I enjoy this role immensely, personally, I have grown in confidence throughout my apprenticeship program. ‘She continued, ‘Its taught me to initiate conversations with just about anybody! And, my conflict resolutions skills have also developed immensely, as a sizeable portion of my time is spent ensuring residents’ that their needs and personal issues will be met.’ she said, ‘Reporting, problem solving, and balancing the impacted of the work, we need to do to improve their living environment is just part of the effective negotiation skills I have learned via the program.’             

‘There are no two days the same and I get to interact with lots of remarkably interesting and diverse people.’ ‘It’s definitely not always smooth sailing, but I enjoy giving a good service and seeing the joy on residents’ faces when the work to their home is completed.’ ‘I totally have job satisfaction.’