Local hospital celebrates graduation of first neurodiverse intern cohort
Staff from a Southampton-based hospital were proud to celebrate the graduation of its first incredible student interns supported through its partnership with the DFN Project SEARCH programme.
The graduation ceremony, hosted by Practice Plus Group Hospital, Southampton, marked the culmination of a one-year transition-to-work programme designed to give young adults with learning disabilities or autism spectrum conditions meaningful experience in the workplace. The project is delivered in partnership with South Hampshire College Group, DFN Project SEARCH, and Southampton City Council’s Young Adults Employment Hub.
The interns, aged 18 to 23, spent 24 weeks gaining hands-on experience across various hospital departments including data input, medical record management, portering, stores, and sterile services. With support from hospital staff, job coaches and mentors, they developed confidence, independence, and vital employment skills.
Charlie Richards, 20, who worked in the Theatres Sterile Servicing Unit during his internship at the hospital, commented on how the opportunity has opened up his mind to what’s out there: “This is a job like I have never done before. It’s changed my perspective of a hospital and how it works.”
John Crisp, Hospital Director at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Southampton, congratulated the interns and all those involved in supporting them: He comments:
“This programme has shown the power of inclusion, commitment and collaboration. We are incredibly proud of our interns and all they have achieved and have had some wonderful feedback from them all. The programme will continue with a new cohort of students for the next academic year, and discussions are in place for other Practice Plus Group sites to roll out similar programmes in future to help support more neurodiverse students with valuable work-experience. This is only the beginning. Well done all – a superb effort from the graduates and our supporting teams!”
Leanne Hirst, from DFN Project SEARCH, explained the wider importance of the initiative:
“Only 4.8% of young people with learning difficulties and/or autism transition from education to employment. We are battling this awful statistic by partnering with organisations like Practice Plus Group who provide real-world experience and the possibility of meaningful, competitive employment. Congratulations to all the graduates!”
Practice Plus Group Hospital, Southampton, treats private and NHS patients and specialises in hip and knee surgery, hernia treatment and cataract surgery. Patients who choose to go private with Wellsoon from Practice Plus Group can access surgery in as few as 4-6 weeks of seeing a consultant. Initial consultations cost £95 and include X-rays, blood tests and swabs. NHS patients can also ask their GP for a referral to the hospital.