They have been taken on by Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (BHRUT) in a scheme to help 17-to-19 year-olds with disabilities take their first step into the workplace.
The teenagers have been given apprenticeships and jobs in operating theatres, the pathology department and procurement admin.
One of the new hires Mala Kaur said: “The job coaches support me whenever I face any issues.”
Her work colleague Sam Deriouch has landed a job in pathology as an assistant and says he has been made to feel part of the team.
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“I’m not treated like I have a disability,” he said. “I’m like everyone else and feel privileged to have a paid job.”
Three interns have joined the procurement team for Queen’s and King George Hospitals delivering supplies to the wards.
Marc Law was “nervous at first” trying something new and thought he would leave after two weeks.
“But I had encouragement to keep going,” he said. “Now I have a job and am over the moon.”
Jake Robinson’s confidence has grown since joining the scheme.
He did not expect “to be treated like an employee from the start” — but that’s what happened.
“That level of responsibility helped my confidence in a real workplace,” Jake said. “It’s been a life-changing experience.”
He works with Kieron Baker who is a porter in the wards who says he feels grateful for the chance of a job and added: “Opportunities like this don’t come around often, so I feel lucky.”
Lucy Gibson has been taken on as an operation theatre assistant and has now secured an apprenticeship.
“I couldn’t be more excited for what’s ahead,” she said.
The six joined the NHS trust’s Project Search scheme earlier this year which started in 2023 and has already led to 11 apprenticeships and work placements.
The scheme has the backing of the Astrum education organization and Barking and Dagenham College.
Another group of 12 interns is being taken on in September to work at Queen’s and King George Hospitals.
