Graham Hickford Story
Apprenticeship Scheme Provides Life Changing Opportunity for St Albans Resident
At Morgan Sindall Property Services (MSPS), we are committed to working with residents from diverse backgrounds, giving them the confidence and skills to achieve their ambitions and showing them the opportunities available within our industry and beyond. One inspiring success story is that of 49-year-old Graham Hickford from St Albans, whose journey highlights the impact of social value and how it helps with improving the quality of life for residents.
Graham joined our apprenticeship scheme in 2022 and has since become a qualified multi skilled engineer in our St Albans Voids team. Graham first came across MSPS while volunteering at Emmaus’ social enterprise, where our Social Value team delivered a presentation on employability support. We have been working in collaboration with Emmaus for over two years. It was there that he received information about apprenticeship opportunities and the support available to him.
His introduction to the apprenticeship came at a pivotal moment in his life. While residing at Emmaus Hertfordshire, a hostel supporting formerly homeless individuals, Graham found a lifeline that would lead him to a brighter future. Having faced homelessness after battling addiction during his teenage years, Graham’s resilience and determination have been nothing short of remarkable. Today, he stands as a symbol of success—fully independent and in full-time employment.
Reflecting on the opportunities provided to him by MSPS Graham commented:
“What I like about MSPS is that they have given me a chance where most companies wouldn’t have, given my background. MSPS gives people the opportunity to progress through providing a lot of training, which can really help you down the line.”
Last week, Graham’s incredible journey was celebrated at a raising awareness of homelessness event hosted by Emmaus, a charity working to end homelessness held at Hatfield House in Hertfordshire. Before an audience of Emmaus supporters and partners, Graham shared his story, highlighting the significant role that both Emmaus and MSPS played in his journey to rehabilitation and new opportunities. His heartfelt speech moved many, showcasing the profound impact of community support and opportunity.
On his experience with Emmaus, Graham said:
“Emmaus supported me with housing and by allowing me to stay while I finished my apprenticeship. It gave me the independence I needed to step out on my own to become self-sufficient.”
Graham’s story is a testament to the important work we do at MSPS in partnership with St Albans City and District Council. Through our apprenticeship schemes, we not only provide job opportunities but also foster personal growth and community development. By offering guidance, support, and skills training, we help individuals like Graham build better futures for themselves and their communities.
Helen Sheen, Head of Social Value, Morgan Sindall Property Services said:
“Graham’s journey demonstrates the transforming potential of our social value initiatives. By providing opportunities like our apprenticeship programmes, we not only change individual lives but also strengthen the communities we serve. We are incredibly proud of Graham’s achievements and his inspiring story of resilience and determination. He is a valued member of our St Albans team. ”
We remain dedicated to helping the communities we serve. Our apprenticeship academy is more than just training programmes; they are pathways to independence, confidence, providing candidates with lifelong skills that will equip them for future employment opportunities.
Find out more about our Apprenticeship Academy:
https://morgansindallpropertyservices.com/working-with-us/apprentices/
Find out more about Emmaus:
https://emmaus.org.uk/
For more information, please contact the Communications team at:
Communications@morgansindall.com
