Kian Davies and Luke Roberts have reached a significant milestone after completing Supported Internships at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital (RJAH), securing permanent positions within the Trust. The pair joined the programme in September 2025 and graduated in July 2026. Kian is now working part-time in Catering, while Luke has joined the Therapies team in a similar capacity.
The internship, delivered in partnership with DFN Project SEARCH, Shrewsbury Colleges Group, Enable Employment Services, and Shropshire Council, was designed for young people aged 18–24 with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) aiming for paid employment. The programme combined tailored workplace experience with personalised support to help interns achieve their career goals.
Julia Lay, Widening Participation Lead, expressed her pleasure at the students' success: “We are so pleased that both Kian and Luke have gone on to secure permanent roles. They both really excelled during their internships.” She added, “It is fantastic to see them both continuing to contribute to the Trust, and we would like to acknowledge the outstanding support provided by all the departments involved in supporting the first cohort of interns.”
During their internships, Kian and Luke gained experience across various hospital departments and participated in classroom sessions focused on building confidence, skills, and independence. They were supported by tutor Toni Smith and job coaches Jo Berry and Alyson Lister.
Dan Hoggett, Catering Manager, commented on Kian's contribution: “Kian has been a fantastic addition to our team. Throughout his internship, it was wonderful to see his confidence grow as he developed valuable skills and gained hands-on experience.” Amanda Peet, Interim Manager Therapies, stated, “We are delighted that Luke has now secured a permanent role within Therapies. His progression is a wonderful example of the difference supported internships can make.”
Building on this success, RJAH will continue to offer supported internship placements through Enable, adapting its approach from the previous programme with DFN Project SEARCH and Shrewsbury Colleges Group.
