Success Story ~ Michelle Willis

"I benefited from it so much that I decided to send three more of my managers on the Ascent Level 2 course which noticeably developed their confidence"

Michelle Willis from Conwy runs the domiciliary care agency Carelink Homecare Services Ltd. The business spans three counties in North Wales and employs 86 staff who work independently within the community, providing support for older people and the physically disabled within their own home

Keen to further develop her management skills, Michelle enrolled on the Level 3 Ascent programme and soon became really involved in the learning

Michelle said:

“The course was excellent; not only was it fun and interactive but I was able to take the tools I’d learned about back into the workplace.”

“I benefited from it so much that I decided to send three more of my managers on the Ascent Level 2 course which noticeably developed their confidence.

Michelle went on to enrol her workforce onto the Evolve programme and as a result overhauled recruitment processes at Carelink to ensure the best candidates got the jobs.

With the support she received from Agile Nation, Michelle felt equipped to embark on another exciting challenge and applied to study Executive MBA at Bangor University.

She was also nominated for Network She Conwy Businesswoman of the Year by Agile Nation senior project officer Susie Ventris-Field and went on to win the award.

Michelle added:

“It was great to win the award, not just for me but for the whole company. I couldn’t have achieved what I have without the support of my colleagues and it really helped to raise the profile of my business.”

How we helped

As a result of Michelle’s initial involvement with the Ascent course, additional staff members signed up to Ascent and Carelink took part in the Evolve programme

Senior project officer, Susie Ventris-Field, said:

“Michelle is an inspiring woman all round – running her own business, studying for her MBA, alongside being an excellent networker.

“She has shown such commitment to her own staff members’ development, especially the management team, and has taken the time to connect people in her networks, recognise their potential and support them in their on-going career progression.”