Celebrating success: Eight Hft interns graduate after year-long workplace programme
The interns completed work placements with local employers
Eight students supported by the learning disability charity Hft are celebrating after graduating from their year-long internships.
Adam, Shane, Daniel, Arijus, Dylan, Kate, Thomas and Lilly proudly wore their mortar boards at a special ceremony to mark the completion of their Project Search programme.
Hft Flintshire has been working with DFN Project Search – a national charity dedicated to transforming employment opportunities for young people with a learning disability or autism spectrum condition – since 2019.
The scheme in Flintshire is run in partnership with local housing association ClywdAlyn, Flintshire County Council and the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB)
Each of the interns undertakes work placements during the year alongside one day a week in the classroom, with a tutor provided by Hft assisting them to complete a National Open College Network course in employability skills.
The graduation ceremony was hosted at the LLys Raddington Extra Care Scheme, run in partnership by ClywdAlyn and Flintshire County Council, and attended by the students’ family, friends, support workers and mentors.
Each of the interns gave a presentation about their internship before enjoying celebratory cakes and drinks.
Hft Employability Tutor Kelly Smith said: “We are so pleased with the successful outcomes of this year’s programme.
“The graduation ceremony highlights and celebrates the hard work and commitment shown by all our interns.”
The class of 2026!
Kate
Kate has an interview for a job as a catering assistant after finishing placements as a ward assistant, catering assistant and admin assistant at her local hospital.
Kate said: “Kate – I have had the most amazing time on Project Search as I have enjoyed making new friends, working hard in the classroom sessions and learning new things.”
Shane
Shane completed three placements including two spells as a porter and one placement at a recycling centre and has now secured a job as a school escort, helping students to travel to class each day.
Shane said: “I saw Project Search as an opportunity to get more work experience, meet new people and help build my confidence. “I now have a role with Flintshire County Council as a school escort.”
Adam
Adam did an admin internship with BCUHB at a local hospital and has now secured an apprenticeship in an admin role.
He said: “I think the most enjoyable aspect of Project Search has been the wonderful job coaches.
“Everyone is so incredibly patient and understanding. I genuinely have felt so supported in all aspects which is a feeling we all ideally should have.”
Lilly
Lilly is in the process of applying for work as a catering assistant after working in a café and as a domestic assistant at a ClywdAlyn care home.
Lily said: ” I have enjoyed gaining new skills, meeting new people, helping others and learning new ways to cook.”
Daniel
Daniel has completed two placements as a porter for BCUHB and is now applying for work at Flintshire’s community hospitals.
Daniel said: “I joined the programme because it felt like a second chance to achieve something in life.
“I have really liked getting to meet people similar to me and I am grateful that someone has given me a chance to work.”
Thomas
Thomas spent his placements working in maintenance and painting and decorating and joinery.
He plans to continue his placement through the summer while looking for a permanent role.
Thomas said: “I’ve really enjoyed the programme and I feel like I’ve learnt a lot of new skills and become more independent and confident.”
Arijus and Dylan
Arijus is now looking for a job after finishing his placements as a domestic assistant at local hospitals.
Arjus said: “I joined the programme because I wanted some help with finding a job. I have enjoyed getting to meet new people.”
Dylan, who completed placements as a domestic assistant, kitchen assistant and an activities co-ordinator at ClywdAlyn’s extra care schemes is now planning to take on volunteering roles while finishing his Duke of Edinburgh Award.
Dylan said: “Dylan – I have really enjoyed Project Search and getting to go out to different work placement to try new things. I really enjoyed making new friends and meeting new people.”
