Flintshire internship for adults with learning disabilities over 25

An internship programme for adults over 25 with learning disabilities has welcomed new interns in Flintshire.

In a first for the UK, a new transition to employment programme will be starting this September delivered by the DFN Project SEARCH transition to work programme.

The programme will run during the academic year until the summer of 2023.

The programme aims to help young people with learning disabilities and/or autism undertake vital work-based learning opportunities, to help them to secure meaningful, paid employment.

The internship is run as a partnership between DFN Project SEARCH, national learning disability charity Hft, ClwydAlyn (the housing association) and Flintshire County Council.

DFN Project SEARCH is a national transition to work programme for students with learning disabilities, autism spectrum conditions, or both.

Gemma Shone, organisational culture strategic lead from ClwydAlyn, said: “Project search is a truly life changing programme, supporting people with learning disabilities to sustain positive and fulfilling employment.

ClwydAlyn has been in partnership with Hft and Flintshire Council for four years and we are excited to be supporting the first over 25’s programme in the UK.

“We are proud to be part of such a fantastic programme and look forward to seeing the next 7 interns securing roles with us and other local employers.”

Councillor Christine Jones, Flintshire’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Social Services and Wellbeing, said: “Project SEARCH is a fantastic opportunity to support young people with a learning disability in Flintshire and as cabinet member for social services, I am proud we are a key partner in taking this work forward and now supporting adults over 25.”