Two autistic young people have kickstarted their careers with the help of our supported internships programme based at the Whittington Hospital.

Earlier this month, Luke and Eddy graduated from the work-based study programme which is aimed at young people aged 16-25 who have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan.

Our supported internships programme with the Whittington Hospital has been running since 2019. It creates valuable work placements to autistic young people in a range of roles. The programme also offers classroom learning to the interns aimed at improving their employability skills and independence.

The interns worked in various departments across the hospital, including stores, neurology, and endoscopy, with some young people also working in the community at a local charity shop named Second Chance.  

Following this, Luke has secured a role as a play worker at a children’s football club based in south west London, and Eddy will be taking up the position of healthcare assistant in the endoscopy department of the hospital.  

Eddy, aged 23, said:

Graduating from this programme marks a major milestone in my life. I am so proud of everything I have achieved since I joined it and am really excited to start my new career.

The teams at Ambitious about Autism and the Whittington Hospital have given me incredible opportunities. The supported internships programme proves that with the right support, young people like me can achieve things we never thought were possible.

Rahma Maina, Supported Internships Lecturer at Ambitious about Autism, who oversees the programme, said:  

We are so proud of everything Luke and Eddy have achieved this year and wish them the best of luck for their new roles – we know they will do brilliantly.

We are looking forward to welcoming our new group of interns in September, offering them opportunities and experience that will support them to realise their ambitions.