Over the past two years, Denbighshire Care and Support services have offered work experience placements across the county, helping individuals develop the skills and confidence needed to apply for permanent positions.
These roles include domestic assistants, care and support workers, and project workers.
One of these individuals is Iryna, who fled to the UK from Ukraine last summer.
After initially working in a factory, she secured a six-week paid work experience placement at an extra care facility in Rhyl, with the support of a dedicated team member.
Following this placement, Iryna successfully applied for a permanent contract.
Iryna said: “I came to the UK with my daughter last summer.
“At first, it was a bit difficult, as I didn’t know what to do and how to live here.
“The language barrier became a big problem.
“There was help with language courses at Rhyl College, which made life and socialisation in society much easier.
“The next step was to find a job.
“With the help of the team and after passing all the checks, I got a job at a care facility in Rhyl.
“This is my first experience of working with elderly people and I have been working for more than six months, and I think that I am succeeding in the role.
“I am enjoying the experience, there are very good conditions for both residents and employees and the team I work with is wonderful, and always ready to help and give me advice.”
Ann Lloyd, head of adult social care and homelessness service, expressed her admiration for the determination of families like Iryna’s who have fled from Ukraine.
She said: “Despite the terrible circumstances that led to their arrival, it is a testament to the individual determination and commitment of these families who have come over from Ukraine.
“The families settling in Denbighshire are developing careers in such a valued and important sector.
“This would not have been possible without the support of local communities and existing staff teams who went above and beyond in supporting staff to settle into their new roles.
“The success of this initiative makes me very proud of the work we have done here in Denbighshire.”