A supported intern who joined Wellington Town Council just a month ago took responsibility for an important part of the King’s Arms Community Hub’s first anniversary celebrations this week.
Daisy was given responsibility for one of the most important birthday essentials – the cupcakes!
But behind the finished cakes was a genuine workplace project.
Daisy developed the design, researched and sourced a supplier, followed the Council’s procurement process, raised the necessary purchase orders and arranged delivery, taking responsibility for the task from the initial idea through to the cakes arriving for the celebration.
Daisy’s placement has been developed through close partnership working between Wellington Town Council, Somerset Council, Taunton College, University Centre Somerset (UCS) and Discovery, creating an opportunity for her to gain meaningful experience within a real workplace.
The placement also supports the ambitions of Wellington’s Cradle to Career initiative, which is looking at how organisations across the town can work together to improve opportunities and pathways for children and young people as they move through education and towards adulthood and employment.
Laura Batcha, Community Development Officer, said: “One part of this is increasing the availability of supported internships and meaningful workplace opportunities in Wellington, particularly for young people who may experience additional barriers to employment.
“Supported internships are not about simply giving someone something to do.
“They provide opportunities for young people to take on real responsibilities, develop workplace skills and confidence, understand different roles and demonstrate what they can contribute when the right support and adjustments are in place.
“By hosting a supported intern itself, Wellington Town Council also wants to learn from the experience and lead by example as a local employer, helping demonstrate what other organisations and businesses in Wellington could offer.
“Creating more opportunities of this kind can help improve equity for young people in the town and contribute towards reducing the number of young people who become NEET – not in education, employment or training.”
Could your organisation offer an opportunity?
Wellington Town Council would like to hear from local employers interested in finding out more about supported internships and how they could provide meaningful workplace opportunities for young people in Wellington.
To start a conversation, contact Laura Batcha, Community Development Officer at Wellington Town Council, at laura@wellingtontowncouncil.co.uk.
MAIN PHOTO: Daisy is pictured, centre, with Gideon Amos MP and Laura.
