Hospital's Project SEARCH seeks new interns

An award winning scheme that supports young adults with learning disabilities gain paid employment is holding a series of information events to attract new interns who could benefit from the project.

Project SEARCH is based at Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, and helps adults with learning disabilities between 18 and 24 move towards paid employment by working in the hospital in a series of internships.

During the academic year, starting in September 2013, new interns will work in three different hospital departments doing jobs that suit their abilities while allowing them to develop new skills.

Jayne Middleman, Organisational Development Facilitator for Derriford Hospital, said. “This will be our fourth year of hosting Project SEARCH and we are proud to have helped so many deserving young people gain mainstream employment."

“There are now eight graduates from Project Search in paid jobs working within the hospital helping us to provide a wide range of quality service.”

Beki Couch, one of this year’s interns, completed an internship within Serco’s administration office and gained paid employment as a result of the training and her hard work.

Talking about her paid job within Serco’s administration office she said, “I have developed confidence and independence on Project SEARCH and now I have paid work I can afford driving lessons.

“If anyone is thinking of going on Project SEARCH I would say, go for it. There are not many opportunities for people like us.”

Nick Pugh, SERCO Contract Director, was positive about their involvement with Project SEARCH and the standard of workers they produce.

He said, “We have employed several graduates from Project SEARCH and they are among the best and most reliable staff we have, it’s an excellent programme that we are proud to be part of.”

Mrs Diane Foote, mother of current intern Gareth, is very enthusiastic about the benefits the project has given to her son in addition to work skills.

She said: “We are absolutely thrilled with Gareth’s development, he has progressed in work and everyday life, he is maturing and getting to grips with what the world is all about.

In Plymouth, Project Search is a partnership between Derriford Hospital, Serco, City College Plymouth and Pluss who work closely together to help the interns reach their employment potential, enrich their lives and independence skills.

The selected interns will work Monday to Friday, from 9am till 4pm for a college year performing real jobs within Derriford Hospital supported by Pluss, a social enterprise company that helps people with disabilities reach their full potential.

Pluss Employment Advisor, Pip Critten, commented, “We carefully match the interns’ skills to those needed in the workplace allowing them to practice the skills they have and develop new ones.”

“We are looking forward to meeting young adults between 18 and 24 with learning disabilities at our information events so they can see if this project is right for them, there will only be 10 spaces available.

The open days are on: Tuesday 16th April 2013, 6pm, Goschen Centre, City College Plymouth. Tuesday 23rd April 2013, 11.00am, Project SEARCH Base Room. Tuesday 23 April 2013, 1pm, Project SEARCH Base Room which is based on Level 2, Norwich Union Building, Brest Road, Derriford, Plymouth, PL6 5YE.

For further information and to book a space contact Pip Critten on 07919 227040 or Zenta Zubka-Hill on 07906 870008.