Project SEARCH newsletter
April 2024
April 2024
On Wednesday 27th March we celebrated National Supported Internship Day at The Imperial Hotel. The event offered people an opportunity to hear from current and past interns, employers and a parent's perspective of Project SEARCH. It was a fantastic morning celebrating the impact that supported internships have here in Blackpool.
Blackpool hosted the annual DFN Project SEARCH conference in November 2023, welcoming more than 300 delegates from across the UK.
The Blackpool Project SEARCH team were thrilled to receive two national awards on the night:
🏆 Sustaining 10 years of successful service
🏆 70% outcome success (interns into paid employment)
Thursday 20th June 2024,
2-4pm (venue TBC)
We are currently recruiting interns for our September 2024 cohort. We are pleased to share that our capacity has increased and we will now be able to offer 20 spaces (an increase of 8 spaces from previous years). If you know of any potential candidates, please contact the team to discuss: project.search@blackpool.gov.uk
Our 10 interns are coming to the end of Rotation 2 and have developed a variety of new skills. Take a closer look at the work they have been doing...
Magda
Magda has been working with the Final Pack team at DePuy Synthes. This has involved learning how to gown up with the correct PPE, package medical grade products, use machinery and work within a team.
Magda's communication skills have started to improve through working alongside a friendly team and her pace of packaging now matches that of her team members.
Beth
Beth is the first intern to work with our new placement partner, Club 3000 Bingo. This has been a fantastic opportunity for Beth to develop skills in a variety of areas across the business.
Beth has confidently used the microphone to check card numbers in the bingo hall, served at the bar (including learning the important skill of pulling pints!) and served customers at the Reception selling books.
George
George started his second rotation with the science technician team at Blackpool Sixth. George was able to learn how to set up and prepare science experiments, prepare equipment, wash and clean equipment as well as working within a small team.
George then moved on to work within the linen department at The Claremont Hotel (part of Choice Hotels). George worked closely with his mentor and was able to learn the process of how linen is dealt with in this hotel. George completed linen runs, sorted linen, assisted with linen deliveries and collections, and worked within the restaurant team.
Warren
Warren has really enjoyed his placement at Blackpool Coastal Housing and has benefitted from working alongside various members of the Voids team. Warren has furthered his skills in stripping wallpaper, cleaning up supplies, sanding and painting. Warren has been travelling to various sites in Blackpool, improving his knowledge of public transport and independent travel.
Mark
Mark has worked extremely hard in this role and demonstrated his excellent attitude to work. He has been of immense value to his team, effectively supporting with pulling files, collecting files from around the hospital and supporting the digitisation of physical records.
Chloe
Chloe has excelled in this area and has grown again in confidence with her customer service. Sodexo also funded for Chloe to study her Level 2 Food Safety whilst in this role, which Chloe successfully passed before finishing for Easter!
Jessica
Jessica learnt several new skills in this area including the system for organising books, sorting and recording books for donation and creating information cards. Jess really enjoyed working in this environment and showed excellent organisation ability. Jess also returned to the Imperial Hotel for her last couple of weeks of placement. Jess will be returning part time to both the Library and The Imperial Hotel for Rotation 3 to improve her skills even further.
Gabby
Gabby really enjoyed working alongside the team in the Restaurant at Victoria Hospital. She showed strong cleaning skills and developed her skills in serving customers, particularly on the subway bar.
Ben
Ben has really enjoyed the physicality of this role and has been a help to his colleagues in the linen department by completing linen runs independently as well as sorting linen and towels successfully.
Tyler
Tyler has shown excellent ability in this area and has proven himself to be extremely hardworking as well as being extremely polite and helpful with customers. Tyler's standard of work has been excellent and he has been a real asset to the team at the recycling centre.