The team at ProjectSEARCH have sent in a special Christmas thank you to CHFT, ISS and CHS for supporting their interns over the past year.

ProjectSEARCH is a one-year transition to work programme for young adults with a learning disability or autism spectrum conditions, or both.

Six of their interns graduated in June 2023, and five of those young people can still be seen in and around the Trust as they have all gained employment or started an apprenticeship within the Trust in various roles.

There are currently nine interns in the Class of 2024 (pictured with Chief Executive Brendan Brown and Deputy Chief Executive Rob Aitchison), who are coming to the end of their first placements and are excited to start their second ones after the Christmas holidays. 

The heartfelt message reads: "With the support of all the wonderful staff, we have seen 20 young people gain meaningful paid employment since our first year in 2017.

"Not only this, our interns go on to do other amazing things, like getting married, passing driving tests, buying their first car, paying for tattoos, saving for holidays, guest speaking at conferences and much more.

"All of this is possible due to the support of everyone at CHFT who not only help us to give them work experience, but help them become more confident, independent and gain that self belief to go and achieve their dreams."