Furness College interns have scaled three Lake District mountains in one seven-hour walk to celebrate supported internships.
The group, who are part of Furness College’s DFN Project SEARCH, completed the challenge to mark the first ever National Supported Internship Day, which took place on Monday March 27.
At the top of each mountain, the group displayed a banner to celebrate the impact supported internships have for young adults and wider society. The scheme helps people with a learning disability or autism into jobs.
There are currently eight young people on the project completing internships at Furness General Hospital to start their path to paid employment.
The youngsters were guided by experienced mountain leader Matt Ryder on the walk to explore what is known as The Lost Kingdom starting at Grasmere and climbing Fairfield, Great Rigg and Stone Arthur.
Furness College’s assistant principal for Curriculum Sue Hannan, who took part in the walk, said it had been a fantastic day.
He said: “We could not be more proud of the interns who took on this challenge as a team, never complained once and smashed it. A big thank you to the mountain guides who ensured we all stayed on track.”
Intern Cavan Armstrong, who is 20, said the walk had been one of the most memorable highlights of his internship.
He said: “I found it challenging but I was proud of myself for completing it. The purpose of the walk was to show our community that disabilities do not prevent individuals from achieving great things.
“On the walk we needed guidance and support and the same applies in employment. People with disabilities have the skills, knowledge and ability to undertake job roles and should not be disregarded in the world of work just because they may require some additional support.”
National Supported Internship Day is part of DFN Project SEARCH’s wider #InclusionRevolution campaign launched last year to encourage UK businesses to recognise the social and economic value in employing young adults with SEND.
The partnership also includes Right2work, Inspira and Cumbria County Council as well as the college and host employer organisations, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay and from September BAE Systems Submarines.
