Project SEARCH Eastbourne, a supported internship programme designed to give young people with learning difficulties or disabilities the skills to gain competitive paid employment, and hosted by ESHT, has been recognised for its success in gaining young people with learning difficulties or disabilities paid employment and the Trust has been presented with an Employment Outcome Award.
Dr Adrian Bull ESHT Chief Executive is presented with award by Carmel McKeogh Project SEARCH European Programme Specialist.
The Trust received the Employment Outcome Award in recognition of 100% record of helping 11 Project SEARCH young people from the class of 2016 achieve paid employment.
Dr Adrian Bull ESHT Chief Executive said: “We are delighted to have received this award. It is tremendous that all these young people have achieved permanent and substantive employment. It is also a great credit to those members of staff who have mentored and supported them in their time with us. Project SEARCH has helped to change the way people think, it has shown what people with learning difficulties can do in the workplace. I am proud this Trust is the host employer. It is a scheme that I would encourage other employers to get involved with – it is an inspiring success story.”
Carmel McKeogh Project SEARCH European Programme Specialist said: “I have really enjoyed this opportunity to visit Project SEARCH at Eastbourne DGH and present this 100% achievement award. The team do an amazing job focusing on changing the lives of these young people with learning disabilities. I hope they continue with many more successes in gaining employment for these young people in the future.”
In the last three years, 32 young people with learning difficulties or disabilities have completed the Project SEARCH programme with a further eight currently on the project this year.