A Future Outdoors - Supported Intern Josh finds his calling at Saltwell Park
The rain is pouring over Saltwell Park. Bright rays of sunshine brought hopes of spring lately, but now, those hopes are dashed. Not that Josh minds.
"I've always wanted to work outside, even when the weather is like it is today", laughs Joshua.
"It's part of the reason I started this Supported Internship in the first place."
Josh has been working as a Supported Intern at Saltwell Park for around a year now, as part of Gateshead Council's Supported Internship programme.
Now, on National Supported Internship Day, he's sat in the depot at his workplace with his mum, Anna, and his mentor, Derrick, looking back on his experience so far.
"I felt a bit nervous on my first day, but honestly, it went really well", explains Josh.
"I was probably more nervous than he was!" says Derrick, his voice coming from the other side of the table.
Derrick has worked for Gateshead Council for over 20 years. He has overseen a fair few workers in his time, but he's still impressed with Josh's perseverance and determination:
"From the first day, I knew Joshua had something to give to the team.
"In this winter, which has not been a pleasant winter, he has come out very well. Some people find it hard to adapt to working in different conditions. But if you're willing, and Joshua is, things come easier."
Anna, Joshua's mum, adds: "Josh hasn't missed a day of work since Christmas. In a year where it's rained for the first two months, I'm so proud of him for that".
Anna was overjoyed when Josh started his Supported Internship:
"I was looking into options for Josh post-16 and trying to work out what he could do. We tried a course in a college setting, but because it was classroom-based, Josh was not happy there.
"The Supported Internships team at the council were incredibly flexible because they were receptive to Josh joining even though it was halfway through the year."
Now Joshua has completely settled into his role at Saltwell Park, where he works four days a week. He helps keep the park clean and tidy by doing things like cleaning the bins, clearing leaves and pruning bushes.
"He told me off for my pruning at home this weekend", laughs Anna. "I had my pruning corrected in the garden!".
On a Monday Josh studies Employability Skills in the classroom, learning things like CV writing and interview techniques to help him into future employment.
"Josh prefers this to other courses he's done because things he learns actually feel relevant to everyday life", explains Anna.
A year ago, Anna hoped that a Supported Internship would give Joshua more confidence in his own abilities.
"For me it was that Josh would come to believe in his potential. And that he would get that feedback of others seeing it in him too."
Those hopes have come true: "Now that he's out of that cycle of being constantly tested, and he's actually been able to grow in a role, he's much more confident and happier.
"I think the keys to his success have been working in a small team where he gets encouragement and affirmation. I've also been in close contact with the Supported Internships team, which was really helpful especially in the early days.
"I've had the privilege of meeting Derrick and the team here, too. And what's been great is that when there have been blips, they have been dealt with gently, rather than it being some sort of big great failure."
"As a parent I knew he wanted to work outdoors, but him working here has actually cemented the fact. It's helped him explore and then confirm what he thought. It's meant he can show an employer that he's reliable."
The three all have the same hope for Josh's future: paid employment. They hope that the skills and expertise he has learned throughout his Supported Internship will set him up for a bright future working outside.
"I want to keep doing just what I'm doing now but get paid!", laughs Josh. The three of them laugh together, as the rain slowly comes to a stop outside the window.
If you know a young person between the ages of 16-24 with special educational needs or disabilities, it's possible they could benefit from a supported internship, like Joshua has. To learn more contact email [email protected]
The rain is pouring over Saltwell Park. Bright rays of sunshine brought hopes of spring lately, but now, those hopes are dashed. Not that Josh minds.
"I've always wanted to work outside, even when the weather is like it is today", laughs Joshua.
"It's part of the reason I started this Supported Internship in the first place."
Josh has been working as a Supported Intern at Saltwell Park for around a year now, as part of Gateshead Council's Supported Internship programme.
Now, on National Supported Internship Day, he's sat in the depot at his workplace with his mum, Anna, and his mentor, Derrick, looking back on his experience so far.
"I felt a bit nervous on my first day, but honestly, it went really well", explains Josh.
"I was probably more nervous than he was!" says Derrick, his voice coming from the other side of the table.
Derrick has worked for Gateshead Council for over 20 years. He has overseen a fair few workers in his time, but he's still impressed with Josh's perseverance and determination:
"From the first day, I knew Joshua had something to give to the team.
"In this winter, which has not been a pleasant winter, he has come out very well. Some people find it hard to adapt to working in different conditions. But if you're willing, and Joshua is, things come easier."
Anna, Joshua's mum, adds: "Josh hasn't missed a day of work since Christmas. In a year where it's rained for the first two months, I'm so proud of him for that".
Anna was overjoyed when Josh started his Supported Internship:
"I was looking into options for Josh post-16 and trying to work out what he could do. We tried a course in a college setting, but because it was classroom-based, Josh was not happy there.
"The Supported Internships team at the council were incredibly flexible because they were receptive to Josh joining even though it was halfway through the year."
Now Joshua has completely settled into his role at Saltwell Park, where he works four days a week. He helps keep the park clean and tidy by doing things like cleaning the bins, clearing leaves and pruning bushes.
"He told me off for my pruning at home this weekend", laughs Anna. "I had my pruning corrected in the garden!".
On a Monday Josh studies Employability Skills in the classroom, learning things like CV writing and interview techniques to help him into future employment.
"Josh prefers this to other courses he's done because things he learns actually feel relevant to everyday life", explains Anna.
A year ago, Anna hoped that a Supported Internship would give Joshua more confidence in his own abilities.
"For me it was that Josh would come to believe in his potential. And that he would get that feedback of others seeing it in him too."
Those hopes have come true: "Now that he's out of that cycle of being constantly tested, and he's actually been able to grow in a role, he's much more confident and happier.
"I think the keys to his success have been working in a small team where he gets encouragement and affirmation. I've also been in close contact with the Supported Internships team, which was really helpful especially in the early days.
"I've had the privilege of meeting Derrick and the team here, too. And what's been great is that when there have been blips, they have been dealt with gently, rather than it being some sort of big great failure."
"As a parent I knew he wanted to work outdoors, but him working here has actually cemented the fact. It's helped him explore and then confirm what he thought. It's meant he can show an employer that he's reliable."
The three all have the same hope for Josh's future: paid employment. They hope that the skills and expertise he has learned throughout his Supported Internship will set him up for a bright future working outside.
"I want to keep doing just what I'm doing now but get paid!", laughs Josh. The three of them laugh together, as the rain slowly comes to a stop outside the window.
If you know a young person between the ages of 16-24 with special educational needs or disabilities, it's possible they could benefit from a supported internship, like Joshua has. To learn more contact email [email protected]
