This week [20 June – 26 June] is Learning Disability Week and this year’s theme is all about ‘living life with a learning disability.’ We spoke to some of our colleagues who have benefitted from a work placement scheme, run by our partner, Sodexo, with New City College.

Bobbie-Jo, who has learning disabilities (LD), is working in our hospitals as a food preparation worker. She said: “I was really excited to start and meet new people. It’s been brilliant, the team here are so kind!

“I couldn’t have gone through this experience without Steve, Tufail and Karen who has been a rock to me as well.”

The scheme aims to help people with LD into work by offering placements in our hospitals, where Sodexo provides services including catering and portering. This is important as according to NHS Digital, only 5.1 per cent of adults with a learning disability known to their local authority in England are in paid work.

People with LDs face a lot of hurdles when attempting to find employment, including lack of quality support to get and maintain work, lack of help to build confidence and skills, and employers’ attitudes.

The scheme, which launched in 2015, runs for an academic year, providing students with a range of opportunities.

Initially, they come in for one day a week and are provided with job coaches to help them throughout their placements. At the end of the placement, Sodexo offers contracts to those who have displayed the skills and qualities required.

Harry is a patient porter who has also benefitted from the scheme, working in our hospitals since 2016, he said: “I first started as a specimen porter taking blood, then moved onto waste and now I do five days of patient portering.

“When I first started, I was nervous but excited, then when I found out I got the job it felt like a massive achievement. I’m definitely more confident.”

Jayne Hart, Enterprise, and Work Placement Coordinator at New City College added: “These placements are extremely valuable for students, we see an amazing amount of growth from them, it really builds their confidence.

“Most of the students have spent their lives being told what they can’t do and hearing the word “no”, when they start working, they realise they’re not this person that can’t do anything. They’ve got skills and they do make a difference.”

Lorraine Thomas, Deputy Business Director at Sodexo, also added: “We at Sodexo are really pleased to be able to work with New City College on this initiative helping give local people the and confidence and opportunity to start a rewarding job and career with us at the hospital.

“Sodexo always tries to provide value and help to people in the wider communities it works in and it is great that we are able to be involved.”

Sodexo and New City College are currently recruiting for the next group of students who will join us this September. If you know anyone who could benefit from this programme, please contact Jayne Hart for more details.