Group scale new heights for National Supported Internship Day

A group of intrepid interns have shown what new heights they can reach by scaling three mountains in the Lake District in an epic seven-hour walk.

The students, who are part of Furness College’s DFN Project SEARCH, completed the challenge to mark the first ever National Supported Internship Day, which is today (Monday 27^th March).

Reaching the top of each Wainwright, they displayed their banner to celebrate the impact supported internships have for young adults and wider society.

There are currently eight young people on the project completing internships at Furness General Hospital to start their path to paid employment.

They were guided by experienced mountain leader Matt Ryder on the walk to explore what is known as The Lost Kingdom starting at Grasmere and climbing Fairfield, Great Rigg and Stone Arthur.

Furness College’s Assistant Principal for Curriculum Sue Hannan, who took part in the walk, said it had been a fantastic day.

“We could not be more proud of the interns who took on this challenge as a team, never complained once and smashed it.

“A big thank you to the mountain guides who ensured we all stayed on track.”

Intern Cavan Armstrong, who is 20, said the walk had been one of the most memorable highlights of his internship.

“I found it challenging but I was proud of myself for completing it,” he said. “The purpose of the walk was to show our community that disabilities do not prevent individuals from achieving great things.

“On the walk we needed guidance and support and the same applies in employment.

“People with disabilities have the skills, knowledge and ability to undertake job roles and should not be disregarded in the world of work just because they may require some additional support.”

Leanne Hirst, said the event was part of a new government-backed national day of action to help boost the number of people with a learning disability or autism spectrum condition in employment.

She said recent figures show that just 4.8 per cent of young adults with a learning disability and/or autism in England secure paid employment following education, compared to 80 per cent of their peers.

“This is our very first group of interns who are all on placement at Furness General Hospital. They have progressed so well that two of them have now been offered paid employment from September.

“Completing a challenge like this shows just how far they have come, they’d be a positive addition to any workforce.”

The Day is part of DFN Project SEARCH’s wider #InclusionRevolution campaign launched last year to encourage UK businesses to recognise the social and economic value in employing young adults with SEND.

The partnership also includes Right2work, Inspira and Cumbria County Council as well as the college and host employer organisations, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay and from September BAE Systems Submarines.

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