News and events

The Trust's current intake of Project Choice students have marked the completion of their internships with a graduation event at the Freeman Hospital. The event was attended by Liz Harris Deputy Director of Nursing and Patient Services (RVI) at The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Karen Pearce, Senior HR Manager at the Trust presented the students with their certificates.

Project Choice is a supported internship and work experience scheme that is delivered for young adults with learning difficulties between the ages of 16-24.

Over 160 work experience placements have been provided to young people still in a school setting, in addition to 56 internships that span an academic year. Overall an 80% success rate for interns progressing into paid employment has been achieved - a fantastic result when compared to the current national figure of 7% of people with a learning disability being employed.

185 mentors within the Trust provide incredible workplace support to the interns and key to the project’s success has been the combination of the interns' astonishing hard work and the unstinting support of their mentors and departmental managers.

Lorna Harasymiuk Project Coordinator at Newcastle Hospitals said: “It has been a pleasure working with this group of students who have all demonstrated a strong commitment in gaining work skills and have all flourished during their time with us.

"Thank you to the mentors and managers who have provided unstinting support to these young people. This project only works because of the lovely teams who support each intern to develop their work skills and confidence levels.”

We wish the interns all the best in their new roles!

If you are interested in joining the Project Choice Programme, please contact Lorna Harasymiuk, Project Coordinator lorna.harasymiuk@nuth.nhs.uk.