This week is Learning Disabilities Week (June 20-24)

This week we celebrate the schemes we have in CTM that offer opportunities to the young people in our communities.

In January of this year Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board continued their partnership with Bridgend College, Elite Supported Employment Agency and DFN Project SEARCH to deliver the Engage to Change programme. The Engage to Change DFN Project SEARCH is an internship programme supporting young people to gain the skills and experience they need to move into paid employment. In Wales, DFN Project SEARCH is being funded as part of the wider Engage to Change project by the National Lottery Community Fund, in partnership with Welsh Government to support young people with learning difficulties and/or autism find sustainable work by learning and gaining real time work-based experiences.

In January 2022, four interns started their placement at the Princess of Wales Hospital. The interns have up to three ten-week placements that match their needs working in a person centred manner. Each intern receives one to one job coaching and has a dedicated mentor as well as an on-site induction and health and safety training.  They also receive specific job training and learning reflection.

Kate Riley from ELITE says: “Projects like Engage to Change are incredibly important in enabling a number of partners to come together and use their skills and expertise to help young people with learning difficulties and/or autism into sustainable paid employment.

“After their placement is complete and they learn all the necessary skills the interns can then apply for jobs within the health board”.

Heather Porch from Cwm Taf Morgannwg’s Workforce and Organisational Development team said: “We were delighted to welcome interns to the Project Search scheme to work with us at CTM, they are all doing really well and their work skills are improving everyday which is a truly inspiring to see. This could not have been done without the fantastic work from all the partners involved in the project and the passion our interns have for working in the NHS.

Visit www.engagetochange.org.uk for more information on Engage to Change DFN Project SEARCH.