2023-03-08 08:33:39
This international Women’s Day we would like to showcase one of our graduates and her journey from our DFN Project SEARCH supported internship programme at Lancashire County Council to becoming a valued member of the team at County Hall, Preston.
Madison started on the DFN Project SEARCH programme in September 2020. The programme is in partnership with Preston College, Hft and Lancashire County Council. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this caused significant disruption to Madison’s time on the programme. Nonetheless, she successfully completed a placement in Facilities Management, supporting the site facilities team. Madison spent time updating risk assessments for the office, creating and putting up signage around staying safe in the council, and supporting with Covid testing for staff.
Madison extended her time on the supported internship due to the pandemic to complete a second year, in which she undertook placements in HR and the council’s conferencing facility, The Exchange. She also contributed to the marketing of the programme by writing posts for social media and creating the monthly newsletter that was sent out to placement managers, partners of the programme, parents and carers.
In June 2022, Madison successfully gained an apprenticeship in Business Administration at Lancashire County Council’s Adult Social Care Service. She was supported to apply for this role and prepare for her interview with the onsite team. She has also been receiving follow-on support from an Hft Employability Coach to become familiar with her new role, as well as adapting to hybrid working. Maddie is enjoying her job and has been sending letters to social care service users and processing invoices.
“I am enjoying my job as I have found it really interesting, and I have learnt quite a lot of interesting information,” she says.
“Having worked with Madison since she started on the supported internship programme, we are extremely proud of her progress and that she has been successful in gaining employment at the council. She has already acquired so much confidence and independence in her new role and we look forward to continuing to support her as she develops,” says Rachel Osborne, Hft’s Work Options Manager for DFN Project SEARCH.
Maddie’s line manager at LCC, James Thomas, says: “Maddie is a key member of our team and we are proud to be supporting her throughout her apprenticeship and LCC journey.”
Claire Cookson, DFN Project SEARCH CEO, says: “On behalf of everyone at DFN Project SEARCH, I’d like to say a huge congratulations to these brilliant interns graduating this year, and thank you to all our partners for providing them with this life-changing experience. Everyone who has completed the programme has tremendous talent to offer as new employees. I’d encourage employers to invest in that talent, because I can guarantee they won’t be disappointed with the results.”
Notes to editors
For further information please email media.enquiries@hft.org.uk
About Hft
Proudly established in 1962 by a group of visionary parents, Hft is a charity supporting more than 2,500 learning disabled adults in England and Wales. Together, we are creating a future where learning disabled people and their families can live the best life possible.
Providing personalised support. Creating solutions for living independently. Coming together to campaign for positive change. Fundraising for new opportunities and a bigger impact.
In 2033, we’ll live in a world where learning disabled people have greater choice. About where they live. The support they need and want. And how to spend their time and money.
Learning disability versus difficulty
A learning disability is different from a learning difficulty but the terms are often confused and used inter-changeably. A learning difficulty does not affect general intellect, whereas a learning disability is a life-long condition characterised by a reduced intellectual ability and struggle with everyday activities.
–
For more information about Hft please visit www.hft.org.uk
