Arts & Music Project Manager Review
at North Bristol NHS Trust
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Healthcare, Project Management
Bristol
Review Submitted: April 2026
Overall Rating
5 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
5/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
In my role I am responsible for managing a portfolio of live music and performing arts projects delivered on site at Southmead Hospital. Day-to-day this might involve; delivering early years music sessions in our on site nursery, hosting professional musicians in our clinical spaces and working with them to enhance patient experience, supporting our large team of volunteer musicians to perform in our public spaces (including everything from volunteer recruitment, training and onboarding, to performance management and evaluation), welcoming community groups to site to perform, fundraising to support delivery of the hospital arts programme, providing operational support to other areas of the arts programme as needed, contributing to the overarching strategic development of the programme, and working with staff from all levels and disciplines to support the function of the hospital through art and music.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I have really enjoyed my apprenticeship to date. It has been very challenging to fit new learning in around a busy and highly rewarding role, but, it has been totally worthwhile. Each assignment can be directly related to the work I do within my substantive role. My hope is that, as well as gaining a recognised management qualification, working on my apprenticeship will also help me to find more creative ways to work smarter in my current role, helping to make the Arts Programme at NBT even better than it already is. I think it will also improve my employability in future and could open up new opportunities for me outside of my current area of work.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I have definitely learnt new things and developed existing skills. I really notice a change in myself, particularly around having challenging conversations at work. The apprenticeship has helped me to think more deeply about the leadership and management qualities I need within my role, and how I can use new learning to help me do my existing job better. I enjoy seeing how the management models I am studying translate in practice, and have really valued the process of working on the assignments (however tricky it has been to fit them in) as it has forced me to reflect on what I have achieved since starting my role at NBT, and how I might like to take that forward from here on in. When you are busy at work, it can be very difficult to take a moment to look back on the things you have done, but when you do, it can be a very motivating and useful springboard to move forward to the next level. Even though we are currently moving through a period of massive organisational change, the apprenticeship has helped me to develop tools that I hope will mean I can be more resilient and adaptable at work, and that can only benefit me moving forward.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
The structure of the qualification is clear and well thought out. I like the fact that you can adapt the pace of study to fit around your working commitments. My work fluctuates seasonally, so it has been very useful to have that flexibility so I can load assignments into quieter periods operationally to help avoid overload.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
My employer and line manager have been very supportive of my studying for this apprenticeship, which I have really appreciated.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
Loads! I have had to navigate a couple of big life challenges during my course (health/home). Throughout the bumps in the road the team from SGS have been hugely supportive and patient. The course tutors are very knowledgeable and approachable if you need help.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
It has helped me to feel more confident as a manager. I always hoped I was doing a good enough job. Now I feel so much more informed, and skilled up. I hope it will help me to be the best colleague and manager that I can be.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
My work at NBT means I meet lots of people from a huge variety of disciplines. I have made some great friends here. The hospital encourages active travel, so I have met quite a few fellow cyclists through work, and we have a staff knitting group who are all lovely! On any given day I might spend time interacting with patients, community members, clinical staff, corporate staff, volunteers - the list is almost endless. One of my favourite parts of my job is coaching the ICU Staff Choir. Through that project we have even been out on field trips to see favourite musicals.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend North Bristol NHS Trust to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I have loved working here for almost seven years now. The work can be tough, but it is hugely rewarding to feel like you are genuinely making a difference to lives of the people in our care. The staff I have the opportunity to work with here are fantastic. The amazing colleagues I have met along the way really are second to none. I have no idea where my career might take me in future, but right now, I think it would be a really tall order to find another role I would enjoy as much as this one.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to North Bristol NHS Trust?
Do your research. Learn as much as you can about the teams at NBT you would be interested to join. Be prepared to work hard. Any career in healthcare is emotionally, physically and intellectually demanding. Take time to learn about yourself so that you can understand what you need to thrive at work. Look for roles that align well with your skills and interests. In a hospital setting, there will almost always be more work than it is possible to complete on any given day. Make sure you look after yourself with the same care and attention to detail that you would want for our patients. Make time for things you enjoy outside of work to keep your battery topped up so you can give your best when you are here. My top tip - there are roles within the NHS and at NBT for everyone. If you would have told me when I graduated from music college that my future career would bring me here, I never would have believed it! If you enjoy working with people, creative problem solving and working hard to improve complicated systems, working here could be right up your street!
