Imogen celebrates life-changing internship
An internship at Royal Derby Hospital has helped ‘change the life’ of a disabled young woman – according to her grateful parents.
Imogen, 22, is deaf and has been working at Royal Derby Hospital for three months as part of an international internship called Project Search.
The Trust became the first business in the city to sign up to the scheme which supports young people with learning disabilities to gain skills and experience in a work environment.
Imogen and her twin sister were born at Derby City General Hospital (now the Royal Derby Hospital) 26 weeks premature. Her mum, Sarah said: “As the girls were growing up, it was difficult to imagine what sort of future Imogen might have.
“Before Project Search she was bored out of her mind and didn’t know where she was going in life which had a big impact on her health and wellbeing. She was experiencing low moods and constant headaches and it was really difficult to see her upset.
“Project search has been life changing for Imogen we can finally picture a possible future for her.”
Paul, Imogen’s Dad said: Imogen has spent a lot of time at the hospital receiving treatment. She had always wanted to work there and it’s amazing to see her achieving her ambitions. We’ve already seen such an improvement in her health and wellbeing; she’s waking up with a smile and has found a purpose in life.”
Imogen has been working alongside the Patient Experience team carrying out a range of tasks including office administration, promoting the team’s new patient pledges and even teaching her colleagues some basic sign language.
Upon joining the team, Imogen was mentored by Judith Payne, Patient and Public Engagement Lead at University Hospitals of Derby and Burton.
Judith said: “Imogen has been a delight to have in our team - very friendly, polite and always smiling. Imogen's confidence has grown throughout her time with us and it’s been fantastic to see. She is an asset to the team.”
The Trust is working in partnership with ISS to host nine students who are each on placement for one year. Imogen will finish her placement with the Patient Experience Team at the end of December and will start then her second placement as a Ward Hostess, serving drinks and food to patients on the Renal Ward.
Disabled young adults are significantly underrepresented in the nation’s workforce and are far less likely to secure employment than the general population. Only 3.5% of young adults with a learning disability known to their local authority in Derby are in paid work.
The project has been successful in other NHS Trusts and at Barts Healthcare, 52% of students who completed the internship went on to secure paid employment.