"Huw has brought everyone closer" – Celebrating Learning Disability Week
Through his internship with Project SEARCH, Huw Williams has brought enthusiasm, dedication and hard work to every department he’s worked in across the health board. His experience has not only allowed him to grow on a personal level but has also had a positive and meaningful impact on teams around him.
The Project SEARCH programme offers young people with autism and/or learning disabilities supported internships, which equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills they need to get meaningful paid jobs.
This week marks Learning Disability Week, a chance to celebrate what people with a learning disability bring to society. Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is proud to support the Project SEARCH scheme and our interns, who have a hugely positive impact on the teams they work with.
Since 18-year-old Huw got involved with Project SEARCH two years ago, he has worked in various departments across the health board, from Transit Stores, Radiology and Portering to CPU Distribution and Medical Records. Huw’s experience has given him the opportunity to enhance lots of valuable skills and meet new people.
“Medical Records has been my favourite placement,” Huw said. “The role suits me and my skillset as I like to move around a lot, and my colleagues have been welcoming, friendly, kind and supportive.”
Huw has made new friends throughout his different placements. He said: “When I walk through the hospital, it's nice that people say hello to me.
“I have developed lots of skills during my time on the programme, including communication skills, using my own initiative, navigation skills, IT skills and time management.”
The programme has not only been great for Huw, but it’s also been a hugely rewarding experience for the teams he has worked with.
Joe Macey works as Health Records Supervisor at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.
“Working with Huw and the Project SEARCH team has been incredibly rewarding,” Joe said.
“I believe Huw has brought everyone closer. We are a very teamwork-orientated department, but all of us coming together to support Huw and work alongside him has really brought out the best in everyone.”
“Once he sets his mind to a task, he doesn’t stop until it is finished and done correctly. ”Huw is just as much a part of the team as anyone else. It has been an absolute pleasure working with him and watching him grow more confident and comfortable.”
Huw’s planning to move on to a Jobs Growth Wales+ programme following his internship, which will allow him to gain even more skills and experience. His long-term hope for the future is to return to the Medical Records department at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board as an employee, and work alongside the team.
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is committed to advancing equality and building an inclusive workplace culture, where everyone is treated with respect and dignity and everyone feels valued.
We are proud to participate in the Disability Confident employer scheme operated by the Department of Work and Pensions. The scheme supports employers to make the most of the talents disabled people can bring to the workplace. Read more about the Health Board’s aims to achieve an inclusive workforce at shapingourfuturewellbeing.com.
For more information on work experience and other opportunities for young people, please visit our page on work experience. For more information on DFN Project SEARCH, please visit their website.