YOUNG people with learning disabilities, learning difficulties and / or autism have been given an insight into the medical work thanks to a national programme.

Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the organisation which runs Basingstoke hospital, Andover War Memorial Hospital and Royal Hampshire County Hospital, in Winchester, has taken on 10 interns giving them experience of a working environment and helping them to develop confidence.

The group, aged between 19 and 21-years-old, is spending the academic year working alongside hospital staff in a variety of departments, including speciality medicine administration, discharge lounge and support services, working at the trust’s hospitals in Basingstoke and Winchester.

The Project Choice programme aims to bridge the gap that people with learning disabilities, learning difficulties and /or autism experience between education and employment.

It works with organisations to find suitable placements and supports both the interns and the hosts by providing training.

The project aims for the interns to be work ready and they will be supported to make a transition to paid employment, apprenticeships or further training at the end.

One of the young people enrolled on the programme is 20-year-old Kieran Fisher, who is on the autistic spectrum.

Kieran is working as a radiology porter at Basingstoke hospital and explained that Project Choice seemed like a perfect fit as he was feeling unsure about the idea of leaving college.

He said: “I am really enjoying meeting new people and feeling like I can help them. There is so much I have already learnt and this job has given me a real insight into what hospitals are like - there are lots of areas I’d never thought of or knew about.”

He added: “I would definitely encourage other people to do this. You can meet lots of new friends and maybe even work colleagues. If you like helping people then working in a hospital is the best place to be.”

Interns will do three placements during their time with the trust.