Case Study: Lewis’s Journey to Employment and Advocacy

Lewis joined Newfriars College in 2018 having transitioned from a local special school. Lewis was a young man who required specialist physiotherapy and whose barriers include challenges with reading and writing. His learning needs were met in small groups with additional learning support staff to ensure maximum progress with his core curriculum of English, Maths, IT, Good Health and Employability skills. He had limited ‘real-world’ experience when he joined the college who were able to provide a personalised programme building his experience to prepare him for employment.

After completing his employability skills programme at Newfriars College, Lewis progressed to the college’s Supported Internship Project Search Programme delivered in partnership with the Royal Stoke University Hospital and Sodexo. Lewis required personalised and targeted support to learn to manage the demands of a busy working environment and to persevere with the challenge of building his confidence in the workplace.

As a wheelchair user, Lewis encountered access challenges during his placements, saying ‘I struggled with some of the pavements and opening doors in wards and departments.’ Motivated to address these issues, he undertook an accessibility review of the hospital and presented his findings to senior managers. In response to this insight, the hospital acknowledged the need to improve the experience of people with disabilities at the hospital.

The hospital created a new role: ‘Corporate Patient Safety Champion for Lived Experience’. The college worked with the hospital to provide an ‘Easy-Read’ version of the Job Description and interview questions. Reading and writing are barriers for Lewis, however with accessible materials and picture prompts Lewis was successful in his application for his position and commenced his role in August 2024. He now works collaboratively with wards and departments to enhance the hospital experience from a patient’s perspective. Lewis is also part of the team responsible for delivery of Oliver McGowan disability awareness training to staff across the hospital.

Lewis’s achievement reflects the success of Newfriars College’s supported internship programmes, which each year have supported young people to secure paid employment. The college has used learner voice in addition to specialist staff knowledge to work with the hospital as a large local employer to expand the hospital’s understanding of disability and inclusion, including reasonable adjustments for interviews and for employees. Former interns at the hospital now hold diverse roles, including positions within the portering team, ward support roles, and catering. Several now take the role of Work Buddy, supporting new interns. These opportunities have empowered young people to lead independent lives, travel confidently, build social networks, and become active, fulfilled members of their communities with autonomy over their futures.

Case Study: Sean

I have cerebral palsy and moderate learning disabilities. It makes me even more determined to reach my goals in life.
It was at Blackfriars Academy where I first discovered my talent for sprinting. I have competed in a number of global tournaments, including the IWAS World Junior Games in Holland where I become a double world champion.

I am proud of the qualifications, awards and sporting accolades I achieved over the past years.

I train four times a week. When I am not training, I do conditioning work at home. I have also followed a supported internship programme with Loughborough University my school helped me get. I get to coach and train young talent. And I can upskill in preparation for my future career.

I was honoured to win an ‘Our Heroes award’ in my home city, Stoke-On-Trent, where the local newspaper gave me the Bright Young Thing title. My next goal to fulfil my ambition of reaching the Paralympics and to continue to develop with Loughborough University. I am grateful to everyone who has supported me to achieve my aspirations.

Case Study: Lachan

I have learning difficulties, complex medical needs and a hearing impairment. All this has made choosing options after college difficult which made me really anxious. To help me I got involved with a new study programme – a supported internship – to see what working life was really all about.

I was interested in care work and the staff found me a placement in the sector. I spent three days a week at work, learning all the skills required to do the job. I was supported by mentors and I even completed a job-specific qualification! The other two days per week I went to college.

Towards the end of my placement, I was offered a part-time job! I can’t wait to start.

I am so grateful to everybody at the college who have supported me on my journey.

I am also proud to say that I will be helping others, as so many people have helped me and cared for me in the past. I overcame cancer at the age of three, so I feel I have already achieved so much in my life. I am excited about my future after leaving college.