A year of achievement, growth and new opportunities has been celebrated by supported interns from West Nottinghamshire College as they graduated from work placements through Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
College and hospital staff with their proud interns.
DFN Project SEARCH is a one-year transition-to-work programme for young adults with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), helping them develop valuable workplace skills, confidence and independence while preparing for future employment.
Six interns were recognised at a special graduation ceremony after successfully completing placements across a range of departments within the Trust. Throughout the year, they gained hands-on experience while building their employability skills and confidence in the workplace.
This year’s six graduates worked in the following job roles and areas:
- The dementia and falls department as an admin/care assistant
- Domestic services as a domestic assistant
- Occupational health team as an admin assistant, and then portering and domestic assistant
- The catering team as a catering assistant
- Portering services as a porter
- The hospital stores and linen room as an assistant.
The programme is delivered through a partnership between the college, the Trust and employer partners, providing real workplace experiences supported by job coaches, workplace mentors, instructors, families and carers.
The graduation day was held at King's Mill Hospital.
Graduates spent the year developing practical workplace skills, building professional relationships and increasing their confidence and independence, with several progressing towards employment opportunities.
One of this year’s success stories centres around a young man who has secured employment with Butlin’s in Skegness following the completion of his internship, not only is this his first job, but he has also relocated and lives in Skegness. Another of the interns got a job in April at a care home and three others went on to secure roles within the hospital.
Andrew Cropley, principal and chief executive of the college, said: "Our partnership with the Trust continues to demonstrate the difference supported internships can make. These opportunities help young people develop skills, confidence and independence in a real workplace environment.
"I would like to thank our college team, Trust colleagues, employer partners, mentors, families and carers for their support. Most importantly, congratulations to our interns, who embraced every opportunity and achieved so much throughout the year."
Principal and chief executive Andrew Cropley spoke proudly about this year's intake.
Jon Melbourne, chief executive of Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Each year we see the positive impact this programme has on interns, their families and everyone involved. Watching individuals grow in confidence, develop new skills and achieve their goals is always inspiring.
"Today's graduates should be incredibly proud of what they have achieved. They have embraced every opportunity and shown what they are capable of, and we look forward to seeing what they do next."
Jon Melbourne, CEO of the hospital Trust praised the positive impact of the project.
Jacqueline Wix, senior audit officer and business liaison for Project SEARCH, said: "It has been a privilege to watch this year's interns grow in confidence and capability throughout their placements. From their first days within the Trust to their graduation, each individual has developed valuable workplace skills, built positive relationships with colleagues and demonstrated a real commitment to learning. We have also seen their personalities shine through which has been lovely to watch.
"Our departments within the Trust and Medirest have embraced the programme and provided fantastic support, helping interns gain meaningful experience in a wide range of roles. Seeing most of the interns progress into employment is a wonderful achievement and highlights the value of supported internships in creating opportunities for young people while helping us build a more inclusive workforce.
"We are incredibly proud of everything they have accomplished and wish them every success in the future."
Louise Dakin, employability and SEND manager at the college, said: "This year's interns have achieved so much and it has been fantastic to watch their confidence, independence and workplace skills develop throughout the programme.
"Graduation day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate their achievements alongside families, carers, mentors and colleagues. We are incredibly proud of the progress they have made and excited to see what comes next for each of them."
During the graduation ceremony, interns were joined by family members, carers, college staff, workplace mentors and representatives from the Trust and partner organisations to celebrate their achievements and the positive impact of the programme.
The continuing success of DFN Project SEARCH highlights the value of supported internships in helping young people with SEND gain meaningful workplace experience, develop independence and move closer to sustained employment.