"The supported internship program showed me my potential."

Hello! My name is Deanietrea and I’m 21 years old. Three years ago I studied with Mencap on a supported internship program. Back in December 2020 I started my first ever work placement remotely at a huge company called The Financial Times, can you believe that?!

I learnt how to create a business plan for the company gym, a gym brochure, visual boards of what I would like to do in the future and about my education and hobbies. At the end of my work placement at The Financial Times I did a presentation on all the incredible things I had done to people including the executive assistant of The Financial Times and the chairman, just to name a couple.

It was such a great opportunity to work with The Financial Times. It built my confidence and made me believe I could achieve absolutely anything.

The Financial Times helped me prepare for a job as working there taught me important skills that I needed to become an inspirational candidate for employment . Those skills included IT skills, time management, being a team player, communication, discipline, reliability, leadership, resilience, keep a positive attitude and problem solving.

 

This is me visiting the Financial Times for the first time, I had a fabulous time. Looking at my smile and my body language, you can see I’m ready to take on the world!

Alongside my work experience placement at The Financial Times, Mencap supported me to build my confidence and get ready for employment through the classes they ran. They got me ready for work by helping me with my CV and cover letter and taught me how to maintain professionalism when working. We were also taught about Mencap’s values which are to be Kind, Inclusive, Positive, Brave and Passionate. These values are important for making it in the real world as well.

I’m now working in a paid job at a hotel in Victoria, as a linen porter.  The supported internship program at Mencap and work experience at The Financial Times helped me to get the job and do well in it by giving me experience in a workplace and transferable skills, and by also giving me a taste of what life is all about as an adult. This is difficult at times, but I would say always keep your head up, believe in yourself and understand you may have hurdles and challenges. But if you keep going like I did it will be worth it, especially when you get your first wage packet and money in your bank, it's a wonderful feeling of achievement and acceptance!

I recently did a taster day with an organisation that provides mental health services to children. I'm very passionate about mental health and working with children. My aim is to give young people with mental health and disabilities a chance to express themselves in a safe, secure way to someone that is like them, who has been through similar experiences and can relate. In my view, without that support, it can be a struggle.

We all need someone to talk to regardless of how old we are, but for some reason young people are less likely to speak up due to embarrassment or fear of not always being taken seriously. Children are less likely to understand how they’re feeling and can't always label their emotions especially when they have additional need.

My advice for young people that are currently doing a supported internship program is to never give up and stay resilient and I guarantee that you will get a job. If you don’t believe me, I’m living proof of this! 

At Mencap, the supported internship program and the work placement I did as a part of it with The Financial Times showed me my potential and what I’m capable of achieving, which is a lot.  

I wanted to write this piece to give back to Mencap, because they gave me the keys I needed to believe I could achieve absolutely anything. I also wanted to hopefully encourage and inspire others, especially those with a disability to keep going in life as you will make it in the end. You may have to work a bit harder but that’s okay because at the end of the tunnel there’s a green light waiting for you.

I hope everyone that is reading this right now is inspired and willing to do a supported internship program at Mencap, you won’t be disappointed. As long as you believe in yourself, the world is your oyster, just wait and see.