Employment opportunities for Learning Disabled people

An award winning project that supports young adults with Learning Disabilities to find and keep paid employment is seeking interns for its next course starting in September.

Project SEARCH is a partnership between Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, Pluss, Serco and City College Plymouth who create employment opportunities for young adults with Learning Disabilities.

They provide supported work based experiences in University Hospitals Plymouth, where they learn the skills that all employers need together with specific skills for individual jobs.

The scheme supports adults aged between 18 and 24 with Learning Disabilities who live in Plymouth.

They experience three supported internships within Derriford Hospital and complete a Level 1 academic course.

In its first seven years, 74% of the project’s interns have gone on to achieve competitive paid employment.

Project SEARCH Intern, Henry Flavell, who gained employment as a porter for Serco within Derriford Hospital, said: “I really enjoyed working with Serco, now it has become a paid job I’ll be able to carry on working in a great team.”

“Having paid work means I can save and it will make me more independent.”

Henry’s mother commented: “It's been phenomenal, his confidence has come on, what would we do without you all?

Pip Critten, Pluss Employment Advisor, commented: “Henry is the 26th Project SEARCH Intern to gain paid employment within Derriford Hospital with another 19 gaining employment elsewhere in the city.”

He continued: “It’s a win-win situation as the Interns gain skills and employment while the employers get trained, reliable and dedicated employees, helping to reduce recruitment costs and staff turnover.”
Project SEARCH are now recruiting for their ninth year and are holding information events for students and their families who want to find out more.

For further information or to book a place contact Pip Critten on 07771 967804 or 01752 439008