Gateshead Council Learning and Skills celebrates their amazing interns on National Supported Internship Day
On National Supported Internship Day (27 March 2025) we celebrated all of our amazing Supported Interns as part of a national day of celebrations hosted by DFN Project SEARCH (opens new window).
Interns, families and friends, and employees from across Gateshead Council, came together to celebrate the amazing achievements of our interns and to shine a spotlight on how the internships are empowering young people with disabilities to pursue their career aspirations.
The event started with the raising of a National Supported Internship Day 2025 flag outside Gateshead Civic Centre and then heard from two of our interns talking about their experiences and development throughout their internships, as well as their aspirations for the future.
Our exciting Supported Internship programme is a full time (25 hour) supportive programme designed for 16-24-year-olds with SEND to gain valuable workplace skills through meaningful work experience placements within Gateshead Council to help them achieve their career goals. Around 70% of Interns progress to paid employment of at least 16 hours a week.
Kye, a Gateshead Council Supported Intern said:
"I have thoroughly enjoyed my work placement at Gateshead Family Hubs. I feel like I am making a positive difference in the lives of children and families. I have also enjoyed the digital skills sessions, which have helped me to improve my technical capabilities and feel more confident in the workplace.
"I am also delighted to have been successfully hired as a casual playworker with Gateshead Family Hubs following my internship. This new role is a significant step in my career journey and provides a solid foundation for my future employment."
Adam, a Gateshead Council Supported Intern, said:
"I always wanted to work outdoors as I never really liked being stuck in the classroom, so I decided to come and work at Gateshead Council through their supported internship programme. I work on gardens, do quick repairs, install video doorbells - whatever our residents need. I have learnt so much since I have started on this Internship, and I really enjoy it. I love coming here. If Gateshead Council do open an apprenticeship - I'd apply straight away."
Councillor Gary Haley, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at Gateshead Council, said:
"The National Supported Internship Day event was a fantastic occasion where we really got to celebrate our amazing interns. Supported Internships empower those who undertake them, enriching workplaces and embedding inclusivity. The interns carry out such a wide range of work at Gateshead Council from working in our family hubs to our neighbourhood housing team and many others too; services which are pivotal to our communities. I am delighted to see our interns thrive here and look forward to hearing about their future careers, which I am sure will see them all excel in their chosen roles."
This event was part of National Supported Internship Day (NSID) 2025 on Thursday 27 March. Launched in 2023 by DFN Project SEARCH, NSID is an opportunity to showcase the crucial role young adults with a learning disability, or autistic young people, play in the workforce, as well as the benefits of inclusive employment practices.
If you would like to find out more about our Supported Internship Programme, Gateshead Council Learning and Skills are hosting an Interest Event on Wednesday 9 April at 5pm in the Council Chambers. Register for the event if you would like to attend (opens new window).
You can also watch a video of Adam Flowdy discussing his internship on our YouTube channel (opens new window).
(In the photo. From left to right. Councillor Dot Burnett, Councillor John Adams, 5 of our interns; Cherry, Adam, Joshua, Kye and Charlotte, Councillor Gary Haley and The Mayor of Gateshead, Councillor Kath McCartney)
On National Supported Internship Day (27 March 2025) we celebrated all of our amazing Supported Interns as part of a national day of celebrations hosted by DFN Project SEARCH (opens new window).
Interns, families and friends, and employees from across Gateshead Council, came together to celebrate the amazing achievements of our interns and to shine a spotlight on how the internships are empowering young people with disabilities to pursue their career aspirations.
The event started with the raising of a National Supported Internship Day 2025 flag outside Gateshead Civic Centre and then heard from two of our interns talking about their experiences and development throughout their internships, as well as their aspirations for the future.
Our exciting Supported Internship programme is a full time (25 hour) supportive programme designed for 16-24-year-olds with SEND to gain valuable workplace skills through meaningful work experience placements within Gateshead Council to help them achieve their career goals. Around 70% of Interns progress to paid employment of at least 16 hours a week.
Kye, a Gateshead Council Supported Intern said:
"I have thoroughly enjoyed my work placement at Gateshead Family Hubs. I feel like I am making a positive difference in the lives of children and families. I have also enjoyed the digital skills sessions, which have helped me to improve my technical capabilities and feel more confident in the workplace.
"I am also delighted to have been successfully hired as a casual playworker with Gateshead Family Hubs following my internship. This new role is a significant step in my career journey and provides a solid foundation for my future employment."
Adam, a Gateshead Council Supported Intern, said:
"I always wanted to work outdoors as I never really liked being stuck in the classroom, so I decided to come and work at Gateshead Council through their supported internship programme. I work on gardens, do quick repairs, install video doorbells - whatever our residents need. I have learnt so much since I have started on this Internship, and I really enjoy it. I love coming here. If Gateshead Council do open an apprenticeship - I'd apply straight away."
Councillor Gary Haley, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at Gateshead Council, said:
"The National Supported Internship Day event was a fantastic occasion where we really got to celebrate our amazing interns. Supported Internships empower those who undertake them, enriching workplaces and embedding inclusivity. The interns carry out such a wide range of work at Gateshead Council from working in our family hubs to our neighbourhood housing team and many others too; services which are pivotal to our communities. I am delighted to see our interns thrive here and look forward to hearing about their future careers, which I am sure will see them all excel in their chosen roles."
This event was part of National Supported Internship Day (NSID) 2025 on Thursday 27 March. Launched in 2023 by DFN Project SEARCH, NSID is an opportunity to showcase the crucial role young adults with a learning disability, or autistic young people, play in the workforce, as well as the benefits of inclusive employment practices.
If you would like to find out more about our Supported Internship Programme, Gateshead Council Learning and Skills are hosting an Interest Event on Wednesday 9 April at 5pm in the Council Chambers. Register for the event if you would like to attend (opens new window).
You can also watch a video of Adam Flowdy discussing his internship on our YouTube channel (opens new window).
(In the photo. From left to right. Councillor Dot Burnett, Councillor John Adams, 5 of our interns; Cherry, Adam, Joshua, Kye and Charlotte, Councillor Gary Haley and The Mayor of Gateshead, Councillor Kath McCartney)
