The 2024 DFN Project SEARCH initiative interns celebrated the completion of their training at a special graduation ceremony at University Hospital Crosshouse (UHC) on Thursday 6 June.
Guests from NHS Ayrshire & Arran, East Ayrshire Council and Ayrshire College, accompanied family and friends, as well as some of the graduates from last year to watch the ceremony and the 8 inspiring young individuals be presented with their completion certificate by their mentors.
The DFN Project SEARCH programme has been operating in East Ayrshire for 11 years and is designed to support young people with learning disabilities and autism spectrum conditions to gain valuable employment skills. Project Search is one of a number of employment programmes offered as part of Ayrshire Anchor initiatives on employment and as part of NHS Ayrshire’s Community Wealth Building Fair Work/Workforce pillar.
The interns completed 36 weeks of training and gained practical experience within different areas of UHC, East Ayrshire Council and local businesses. The programme helps to build confidence, self-esteem and independence. Three of the graduates have already been offered posts as a result of their placements in East Ayrshire.
Claire Burden, NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s Chief Executive, said: “My heartfelt congratulations and warm wishes to the 2024 intern graduates! It’s truly inspirational to learn of the breadth of work these young people have been involved in and the learning opportunities and life skills that they have benefitted from. The project is a wonderful example of partnership working and we are fully committed to continuing our collaboration with East Ayrshire Council and Ayrshire College to deliver the DFN Project SEARCH for local 17 to 29 year olds with learning disabilities and autism spectrum conditions.”
Sarah-Rose, an intern who completed a work placement in the Ayrshire Maternity Unit (AMU), said: “I really enjoyed my work placement in the hospital, meeting the patients, staff and people visiting their friends and families in hospital. Project SEARCH has changed me, instead of being nervous it allowed me to come out of my shell and really helped my mental health.”
Sarah-Rose with her certificate and accompanied by Dawn, Senior Healthcare Support Worker at AMU.
If you are an employer who is interested in recruiting a Project SEARCH intern, or would like to know more, please email Jonny Baillie, NHS Ayrshire & Arran Employability Advisor, on jonny.baillie@aapct.scot.nhs.uk
To find out more about NHS Ayrshire’s Community Wealth Building Fair Work/Workforce pillar, visit https://www.nhsaaa.net/services-a-z/community-wealth-building/
Background information:
DFN Project SEARCH is an initiative developed by the DFN Charitable Foundation and the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in Ohio. It began in 1996, gaining international momentum, and has been running in East Ayrshire for the last 10 years.