Project SEARCH learners celebrate at special graduations

Grŵp Llandrillo Menai learners have graduated from their Project SEARCH internships with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

They celebrated with their proud families in ceremonies at Coleg Menai in Llangefni and Coleg Llandrillo in Rhos-on-Sea.

Project SEARCH/Supported Internships is a 12-month programme which helps adults and young education leavers with learning disabilities or autism to secure employment.

Grŵp Llandrillo Menai and Agoriad supported employment agency partner with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) to provide the internships at Ysbyty Gwynedd and Ysbyty Glan Clwyd.

West Integrated Health Community's graduation was held at Coleg Menai’s Llangefni campus. One intern, Mair, was also celebrating after being hired as a supported shared apprentice health care assistant at Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor following her internship.

Mair said: “Being on the Supported Internships Programme has been very good because you gain more work skills such as communication, teamwork and confidence.

“You get a bit more independent by travelling on your own on public transport and get used to being in work and the changes. Everyone is like a big family supporting each other through highs and lows.”

The graduation in Central IHC was held at Coleg Llandrillo’s Rhos-on-Sea campus. Among those attending were the parents of intern Josh. They praised the project after Josh was hired as bank porter at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd.

“We have seen a huge change in him since he started working with the porters,” Josh’s parents said. “He has gone from being extremely quiet and reluctant to join in conversations at home, to being very chatty and confident.

“He's always happy to talk about his day, something he never did when he was in school.

“In terms of his confidence, the change we have seen is remarkable. It's wonderful to hear that he engages in conversations with staff and patients and is also beginning to initiate conversation too - again, something he's always struggled with.”

Nationally, the unemployment rate for adults with disabilities and/or autism is approximately 90 per cent.

Project SEARCH/Supported Internships supports the development of skills and behaviours that support young adults with disabilities and/or autism into meaningful paid employment. BCUHB has a success rate of 70% to date with jobs secured internally and externally.

Tracey Amos, operational lead on Project Search/Supported Internships for the health board, said: “I’m delighted that the health board has another incredible year supporting and learning from our interns.

“It’s really important that we work closely with young people who may need that extra support to join our workforce. It was lovely to meet our interns and their families at our graduation ceremonies. We can see how proud everyone is of them.

“I’d like to thank all of our partners who support Project SEARCH/Supported Internships across North Wales. The programmes wouldn’t be such a great success without them.”

Dyfed Edwards, chair of BCUHB, said: “I want to thank everyone who has supported Project SEARCH/Supported Internships from within the health board, local councils and other partners, as well as the parents/carers of our graduates who have been there and supported these young adults during their internships

“Most importantly I would like to thank our graduates. They have given us an opportunity to see the world as a better place, and help us focus on equality, equal opportunity and equity.”

For more information about Grŵp Llandrillo Menai’s Independent Living Skills provision, click here.