Supported Interns meet St Helier Hospital Chief Operating Officer

Orchard Hill College’s DFN Project SEARCH Supported Internship, delivered in partnership with NHS Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals, gives young people the chance to build real-world skills and confidence right in the heart of a busy hospital.

Recently, Alex Shaw, Chief Operating Officer for the Trust, took time out of his packed schedule to meet our interns, chat with them about their experiences, and see the programme in action. It was a very much behind-the-scenes tour, and a brilliant opportunity for Alex to hear first-hand how this partnership is helping young people move closer to meaningful paid work.

Our interns rotate through a range of real NHS departments, including Catering, Stores and Portering. One week they might be assembling meal trays for the wards, another they’re supplying the hospital cafés with fresh produce, and the next they’re delivering goods or supporting the safe movement of patients. Other pathways – such as Administration, Transport and Childcare to name a few – give interns even more ways to develop the skills employers look for.

Alongside hands-on experience, interns work towards recognised employability qualifications and build a solid set of transferable job skills they can take into the wider world.

During his visit, Alex was keen to understand what the interns enjoyed most, where they felt stretched, and whether they felt properly supported to thrive. His genuine interest and commitment to strengthening the partnership, was hugely appreciated by students and staff alike.

This is a programme built on teamwork, ambition and opportunity and visits like this show just how important it is for our young people and the Trust alike.