BTC Project Search student, Fred White, secured employment at NHS Musgrove Park Hospital as a Theatre Support Worker at the start of the Covid-19 crisis, after impressing staff during his first 2 rotations of departmental work placements at the hospital.

The role of Theatre Support Worker involves escorting patients to and from the wards to their scheduled medical appointments. With a good understandings of the layout of the hospital, Fred has to make sure the patient arrives in good time for the appointments.  Fred has gained the confidence and  developed the communication skills to reassure patients who are often nervous and anxious when leaving the ward for their treatments or operations.

Fred, who originally studied Learning for Life and Work at the College, then progressed onto the Project Search internship. He was close to finishing his programme when the COVID 19 restrictions resulted in Project Search being suspended.

The Project Search initiative is a one-year programme which aims to give young people with Learning Disabilities the skills to get competitive paid employment.

It is hoped that Fred will act as a mentor for next year’s Project Search applicants. He has already proved himself to be an inspiration to his fellow interns, who hope to secure employment at Musgrove when they complete the programme once it recommences.

Well done to Fred – one of BTC’s NHS heroes.