www.cornwall-opportunities.co.uk/post-16-send/post-16-send
Employers: An opportunity to make a real difference
Laura is Guest & Owner Services Manager at Gwel An Mor Resort in Portreath. Laura and her team have been offering supported internships for just under one year. Laura said of the experience: “This has been a great experience for both the employer and the students we have coming to site. From building confidence levels to learning new skillsets we are promoting healthy working relationships and encouraging students to go into the workplace.” Supported internships are as important to the employer as they are to the young person taking part. By offering these opportunities, employers: • Develop their understanding of hiring with diversity in mind and increase disability confidence within the organisation • Outwardly show values they may hold, such as inclusivity, to those engaging with their business • Can gain valuable insights into working with and for those with additional needs • Will access often underutilised workforces Employers offering supported internships in Cornwall include Gwel an Mor, Cornwall Council, Newquay Orchard, the NHS and the Headland Hotel , to name just a few. Meet the employer: Laura Starr, Gwel An Mor
Meet the intern: Lauren, 23
Lauren described her time at school as a ‘mixed bag,’ struggling with her final years in education during the COVID pandemic. She then came across the opportunity to do a supported internship with Project SEARCH, which connects potential supported interns with employers.
Lauren did her supported internship in housekeeping and admin, learning about managing all the laundry from the in-patient wards and sorting all the bed linen and towels, and making sure they are coded for the right wards. Child Care is Lauren’s ultimate career goal, and she has been honest about omitting opportunities for work experience in other areas, to build her CV.
She has also been responsible for food and tea trolleys on the elderly ward and felt she particularly liked doing the menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner and recording the volume of fluids that the patients require. She feels she wants to learn more about making the beds as these have to be done in a particular way and she feels it’s a good skill to learn.
C ontact: ebp@cornwall.gov to find out more Take a look at our supported internships on Cornwall Opportunities Are you interested in finding out more about supported internships?
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