Nine interns from the supported programme, Project SEARCH, have graduated after receiving their diplomas at a virtual ceremony in front of parents, relatives, colleagues, and friends.
Project SEARCH Derriford is an internship programme, working in partnership with University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Seetec Pluss and City College Plymouth. Together, they are helping to create employment opportunities for young adults with learning disabilities within the city.
The programme involves nine months of an intensive work-based internship aimed at developing and learning new work skills with the aim of gaining paid employment.
The ceremony was held online and broadcast on Chaos TV, where the students and their guests heard about the various internships the group had undertaken, their experiences and the skills and confidence they acquired from their time working within the hospital.
Ahead of the ceremony Richard Crompton, chairman of University Hospitals Plymouth said:
“The last 12 months have been very challenging for everyone, not least our Project Search interns, and to have completed the year so brilliantly is testament to their huge determination and to the generous support and guidance of partners, colleagues and families.
“Project Search has become a very important part of the Derriford family, and our interns are an inspiration, we are proud of all of them and look forward to celebrating their graduation.”
Tom Lilley, one of this year’s successful interns, has gained full-time paid employment within the hospital, working as a ceentralised porter.
Tom said:
“I’m very appreciative of the platform Project SEARCH has given me to start a career within the NHS. A ‘never-give-up’ attitude is what I needed to get through, and it has paid dividends.
“If I look at where I was a year ago, to where I am now, I feel like a different person. I have a more mature outlook on life.
“I highly recommend this program for those with disabilities looking to be given the chance of gaining invaluable work experience, in order to bolster their chances of gaining employment and that extra bit of independence that comes along with it.”
Stevie Harris, who joined the Project SEARCH team in December 2020 as job coach said,
“It has been a pleasure to support a group of such determined young adults. They should all be very proud of their achievements for this year. I am looking forward to welcoming in our next group of interns in September.”
Since Project SEARCH started, more than 35 interns have gained paid employment working within Derriford Hospital and another 22 gained employment elsewhere in the city.
