National Supported Internship Day - Meet our Project SEARCH interns

Today (27 March 2023) marks the first National Supported Internship Day, an initiative launched by Project SEARCH to raise awareness and understanding of education provision for young people with learning disabilities and autism.

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is proud to have been a Project SEARCH organisation since 2021 and offers young people with learning disabilities and/or autism-supported internships across different departments including pharmacy, catering, switchboard and estates.

The Project SEARCH programme works in partnership with Cardiff City Council, Cardiff Commitment and Cardiff and Vale UHB and these programmes equip interns with the necessary knowledge and skills they need in order to get meaningful paid jobs.

The students begin and end their day with their college tutor in the classroom and spend the rest of their time out on their placement learning job-related skills whilst being supported by the placement manager and experienced job coach who are on-site at all times.

To raise awareness of the benefits of supported internships, some of our Project SEARCH interns have spoken about their placements are helping them to learn and develop.

Ashley Parry-Ward

“I have enjoyed the different placements and have liked being at the University Hospital of Wales and University Hospital Llandough. My favourite part is talking to colleagues, learning new tasks and being responsible for jobs.”

Joel Horn

“I feel great having done all these new things, it has helped me learn new skills and given me direction for my future. I really like being treated like an adult and having responsibility. I have learnt more doing Project SEARCH than I would have done if I had stayed at school.

“I would like to work full-time as either a carpenter or electrician. I have applied for a Level 1 Carpentry course at Bridgend College.”

Joshua Bratcher

“I am being really productive and enjoy being hands-on, it helps me keep a routine.  The project has given me an idea of the different jobs available within the Health Board and my future. I’d like a job within Transit Stores.”

Joshua Hill

“I am enjoying my role within the Maintenance department. I am more aware of the different jobs available within the Health Board.”

Arif Abdul

“I am feeling happy and feel welcomed by the department I’m in. The project has made me more independent and improved my self-confidence.

“I have enjoyed learning all the new skills needed for the different jobs and Project SEARCH has given me a better idea of the working world. My goal is to work full-time within Noah's Ark Children's Hospital.”

Alex Bamsey

“I am feeling more confident in myself. Working in different departments means I have learnt about different jobs and developed different skills. I would like to work in Aroma café.”

Kai O’Brien

“I feel more confident in myself and I really enjoy working alongside my colleagues. I like using the robot and going to restock the wards.”

Viola Bullatovci

“Being involved in the project has made me more independent and I have enjoyed learning the different skills needed for the different jobs. My goal is to find employment in the pharmacy department.”

Malcolm Hallsmith

“I am hopeful and excited about getting a job after Project SEARCH. My favourite part is being given different opportunities in different areas. I would like to work as a housekeeper once I have finished the programme.”

To read more about Project SEARCH, please visit dfnprojectsearch.org.