Five autistic young people with learning difficulties have secured jobs after taking part in a supported internship programme at the Whittington Hospital in north
London.
Kelton, 24, Jake, 22, Paige, 21, Michael, 22 and Liam*, 23,
have been gaining valuable skills and experience working in various support roles at the Whittington Hospital over the last 18 months.
Kelton’s dream job has always been to work in hospitality.
After gaining confidence during his internship, he applied for a full-time catering assistant job with John Lewis. Kelton attended a work trial and interview at John Lewis Oxford Circus and was successful in securing the role, which started in July.
He said: “During my work trial, I cleaned the tables, collected the plates and cups when customers had finished and took them to the dishwasher room. The team at John Lewis
were really friendly. I am very happy I got the job.”
Jake, 22, has also secured a catering assistant role in the Whittington Hospital’s health records department following his internship.
Three other young people who took part in the programme have gone onto secure apprenticeships. Paige, 21, will take part in a Level 3 Childcare Apprenticeship in a nursery.
Two other interns, Michael, 22 and Liam*, 23, have secured full time apprenticeships at medical equipment firm, Medequip.
Meanwhile, Daniel, 23, will return to complete two further work rotations at the Whittington Hospital next year as part of the supported internship programme.
Supported internships are courses aimed at young people aged 16-25, who have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan and want to move into work but need extra
support to do so.
The charities Ambitious about Autism and DFN Project Search have been working in partnership to offer supported internships at the Whittington Hospital in north
London. The team also works with supported employment service Kaleidoscope Sabre Associates to support young people into work.
Teacher Gemma Mullan, who runs the Supported Internship programme, said: “We are enormously proud of the achievements of our graduating interns who are taking
their next steps into employment. From securing dream jobs to gaining more practical experience through apprenticeships, our interns are building on the skills they have developed and are ready to thrive and achieve in the workplace.”
The Supported Internship team is now seeking to recruit 10 interns for the start of a new programme at the Whittington Hospital in September 2022.
For further information about the programme visit: https://ambitiouscollege.org.uk/supported-internships
