“At first, I thought I would be nervous, but I quickly found my element.”
These are the words of Declan Beadle, a Classroom Assistant Intern at Reaseheath College and University Centre whose journey from a quiet student to a confident Student Ambassador is at the heart of this Friday’s National Supported Internship Day.
On March 27th, Reaseheath joins a nationwide celebration to highlight how tailored support and real-world experience are helping young people with additional needs transition from the classroom to the workplace.
At Reaseheath, the Supported Internship programme is more than just work experience, it is a bridge to independence. Interns spend most of their week immersed in real-world work environments, supported by dedicated job coaches who help them master technical tasks and professional standards.
“A Supported Internship is about learning real skills for a real job,” explains Andy Smith, Curriculum Area Manager for Foundation Studies at Reaseheath.
“The support we provide is tailored to the individual, gradually fading as the intern gains the confidence to work independently. Our goal is to ensure every intern leaves us as a massive asset to their future employers.”
Declan’s growth was demonstrated during Reaseheath’s recent Lambing and Mini Zoo Weekends, where he worked alongside staff at the busy welcome desk, a role requiring constant communication with hundreds of visitors.
“Last year I would have had far more struggles communicating with strangers,” Declan admits. “Doing this internship has made me much more confident in my abilities. I’m happy to talk to anyone now!”
Hannah Bland, Lecturer in Foundation Studies who runs the Supported Internship course, has overseen Declan’s progression and is incredibly proud of his transformation.
“I am proud of all our interns, but seeing Declan grow from a quiet student into a representative for the college is exactly why we do this,” she says. “He has worked so hard to find his voice, and to see him now working as a classroom assistant and acting as a Reaseheath Student Ambassador shows his hard work and dedication. He is an absolute credit to the programme.”
Whether supporting students in the classroom to meet their individual needs or assisting in guiding them through practical agricultural tasks, Declan’s work shows how a personalised, supportive approach helps each individual achieve their best. Andy Smith says that the achievements of these interns are a testament to the programme’s strength.
“We are incredibly proud to highlight the progress of our current and previous interns who have come through the programme and gone on to achieve great things,” he adds.
As Declan prepares for his new role representing the college as a Student Ambassador, his advice to others is simple:
“It is okay to be nervous – I was! You just need to give it your best effort and you’ll be fine. You will surprise yourself with the progress you’ve made by the end of it.”
