🙌 Today is National Employee Appreciation Day and we want to say a huge thank you to our amazing colleagues for their hard work and dedication! 💜 Each and every one of you are helping to make a real and positive difference to the lives of learning disabled people.
💬 "It is pleasing to see supported internships highlighted as a route into employment. As a partner of DFN Project SEARCH , we are aware of the transformative impact that supported internships can have, however it is important to take this opportunity to highlight that a substantial learning disability employment gap exists too" 💜 Our CEO, Stephen Veevers has responded to the Buckland Review on Autism Employment
💬 "What a wonderful way to spend a Friday afternoon!" 🎉 Two refurbished lounges at one of our supported living services in Shefford have been officially opened by HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Susan Lousada. 💜 The new lounges have been decorated with objects that have meaning to the adults who live there.
🎉 We are absolutely thrilled that Rachael has been announced as a finalist for the Learning Disability and Autism Leaders' List Awards! 🙌 Rachael, who is a member of our Hft Luv2meetU service as well as a member of our Walk in Our Shoes Network, has been recognised for her advocacy work particularly in relation to changing attitudes. She has thrown herself into her work and taken every opportunity to speak up about the barriers faced by learning disabled people. She has also recently become an NHS Oliver McGowan trainer, helping to ensure that the needs of learning disabled adults are met by health care professionals. 🏆 The full awards ceremony is being held later in the year and we wish Rachael the best of luck!
🙌 “We are delighted to be part of this exciting partnership. Commitment to diverse and accessible recruitment is invaluable, and this partnership will make an incredible difference to the lives of the interns who participate.” 💼 HM Revenue & Customs has become the first Government department to team up with our supported employment partner DFN Project SEARCH and offer supported internships to students who have special educational needs or autism in Liverpool!
💼 Less than 5% of people with learning disabilities are in paid employment, so we are thrilled to see that the Palace of Westminster have appointed 6 new employees who have Down's Syndrome! 💜 Work is such a huge part of a person’s life experience, and anyone who wants to work should have the opportunity to do so.
💬 "I have never been a traditional academic so when I realised I could gain a qualification whilst learning practically, there was no stopping me!" 💼 It's National Apprenticeship Week this week and we spoke to some of our current Hft apprentices about what life is like as an apprentice in the social care sector
🙌 "We are proud to be the first employer championing Project Search in Worcestershire and it will help us promote the Trust as a diverse and inclusive workplace.” 💜 Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust (WAHT) has joined forces with Regency High School in Worcestershire and DFN Project SEARCH , to launch a supported internship program aimed at transforming the lives of young adults who have special educational needs and disabilities.
