Sioned Chidgey is from Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly. She attended Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni, and after completing school, she decided to apply for an Outdoor Activities apprenticeship at Glan-llyn as she was very interested in learning more about outdoor activities and different sports. After completing the outdoor apprenticeship, Sioned had the opportunity to continue with the Urdd as a Level 3 Sports apprentice, in her area. Sioned has been chosen as Apprentice of the Month, after showing huge development over the past few months in her work, all under difficult covid-19 circumstances and working from home.  

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I enjoy working within my community and working with various participants.

How important is it to do your apprenticeship through the medium of Welsh?

Undertaking the apprenticeship through the medium of Welsh is very important to me, because it helps to keep the language relevant and contemporary, by encouraging younger people in my area to use their Welsh beyond the classroom.

How has doing the apprenticeship affected your personal development?

Doing this apprenticeship has allowed me to become more independent. It’s also introduced me to new interests such as kayaking and paddle boarding.

Briefly describe your duties.

I run community and school sports sessions for children of various ages throughout the week in a variety of sports.

What are your interests outside of work?

I love rock climbing! I usually go every week. I also love playing netball.

What are you hoping to do after completing the apprenticeship?

I'm not quite sure yet, I'm interested in traveling so I’d love to do some traveling once I finish my apprenticeship.

Describe your experience of doing an apprenticeship with the Urdd in 3 words!

Interesting, Fun, An experience!

Would you like to add something about your story? How have you got to where you are now? What was / is your biggest challenge?

This year I have transferred from doing my apprenticeship at Glan-Llyn Residential Centre to the Sports Department in the Valleys and Gwent. While working at Glan-Llyn, I found that the biggest challenge was that almost every aspect of the work was new to me, but in the sports department I have met various different challenges such as restarting clubs under the difficult circumstances of Covid-19 as well as having to work from home.