Kildare students celebrate work placement programme

FIVE participants have celebrated their graduation from the Project SEARCH work placement programme at Naas General Hospital (NGH). This year’s graduates are Jake Dobbyn, James Joyce, Aodhán McFadden, Eoin Quinn and Kristian Valausks.

Project SEARCH is a partnership between Kare and NGH that supports young adults with intellectual disabilities to gain real workplace experience in a supported environment.

Throughout the year, participants complete a series of work placements across different hospital departments, where they develop practical employment and life skills through hands-on learning with hospital staff.

They are supported throughout the programme by Kare’s Project SEARCH team, who also coordinate classroom-based learning and education modules designed to prepare the participants for future employment.

Of this year’s graduates, three have secured places in other work placement programmes where they will continue their education and training, and two graduates are planning to move into paid employment.

Fiona Slevin, Project SEARCH Liaison at NGH, reflected on the impact the group had on those around them. 

“Every year, we welcome a new group of students, believing that we are here to teach them. By the end of the year, we realise they have taught us just as much. You remind us to see ability before disability. You challenge us to think differently, to communicate better and build a workplace where everyone belongs.” 

Families also shared the difference the programme has made. 

Martin Joyce, father of graduate James, spoke about the positive change he saw in James during his time with Project SEARCH. 

“When James started, he was a lost young man who believed he had little purpose. He was very negative and felt that he was not capable of achieving much. However, after just a few weeks of starting Project SEARCH, we noticed a dramatic change in his outlook on life. His attitude became much more positive, and we slowly began to see the old James return… In September, James will be going to the Dáil – something we never imagined would be possible when he first joined the programme. We are incredibly grateful to the entire Project SEARCH team… Their support has helped him grow in confidence, believe in himself, and look forward to a future filled with possibilities.” 

This year’s graduation also highlighted an important piece of work led through Project SEARCH around accessible information on end-of-life care. Working with Lisa White, NGH’s End-of-Life Coordinator, the team developed two accessible resources: Let’s Talk About End of Life Care and ASK ME. The booklets were designed to encourage conversations, answer questions and help Project SEARCH participants better understand end-of-life care in a supportive and sensitive way.

Karen Massey, deputy general manager of NGH, said the ASK ME booklet will be used across the HSE for years to come and has already attracted interest nationally and internationally. The Palliative Care Team also praised the work, saying that Project SEARCH had taken a topic that can feel complex and sensitive and made it accessible, understandable and human.