National Apprenticeship Week: angli-EAR’s Kirstie Eley to head to village at foothills of Himalayas

An apprentice at angli-EAR Hearing is heading to a village in the foothills of Himalayas to provide essential audiology care to people in a remote community.

Kirstie Eley will head to the picturesque village of Sainji to volunteer with a team from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in April.

The trip is part of her hearing aid audiology apprenticeship at ARU and will help to raise awareness about hearing health in a community where hearing loss often goes undiagnosed and untreated.

Kirstie: “Through my studies, I have gained valuable skills and experiences, leading me to an amazing opportunity to make a difference in the world.

“Sainji is a rural village with limited access to medical care, making my mission even more impactful. My goal is to not only offer much-needed audiology services but also to educate the community on ear health and early detection of hearing loss.

“By working alongside local organisations, I hope to create sustainable solutions that will benefit the village long after my time there.

Highlighting Kirstie’s story for National Apprenticeship Week (10-16 February), Trevor Chapman, lead audiologist at angli-EAR Hearing, said: “Kirstie’s journey is a testament to how apprenticeships open doors to incredible opportunities beyond traditional career paths. Through her training, she has gained hands-on experience, industry knowledge, and the confidence to take her skills to an international level, helping communities in need.”

Sainji has previously benefited from donations that have provided concrete for safer pathways, essential school equipment and the construction of protective walls against monsoon landslides.

A JustGiving page has been set up to help Kirstie raise funds to support her trip and the resources needed to make a lasting difference in Sainji.

Trevor added: “This National Apprenticeship Week, angli-EAR Hearing is helping to celebrate the power of apprenticeships in shaping careers and changing lives. We are incredibly proud of Kirstie’s dedication and can’t wait to see the impact she makes in Sainji.”

Visit tinyurl.com/5duyxhj4 to donate.