A Supported Intern from Stratford-upon-Avon College is celebrating not only completing her Supported Internship at the Stratford-upon-Avon Crowne Plaza, but also accepting a university place and a job offer.
Lauren Calbreath, 18 from Earlswood, is delighted to be progressing from her Supported Internship and heading to university this September to study a degree in Music Business, Events and Media. She has also been offered a part-time job by her current Supported Internship employer to study alongside her degree.
Lauren’s education wasn’t always smooth sailing. Being a school refuser, she didn’t think she would even sit her GCSEs. After managing to receive five GCSEs, she decided to attend College on the Backstage Production Arts course.
This was the first step on her journey where her educational confidence developed: “College did so much for my confidence and made me who I am as a person. It was also the thing that started my passion for working in live events.”
Even though she relished her time at college, when it came to next steps, Lauren was unsure what to do: “When I had finished College I thought: What now? I just didn’t have the confidence for full time work yet.”
After chatting with staff, Lauren learnt about Supported Internships: a structured, work-based study programme for 16- to 24-year-olds with SEND. The core aim of a supported internship study programme is a substantial work placement, facilitated by the support of an expert job coach.
The Supported Internship is based mainly with the employer with one day in college per week, with a dedicated Job Coach onsite every day to offer support and guidance.
Lauren worked in a range of roles, including Trainee Pastry Chef, and also assisted during conference and events helping with technical set ups.
Lauren has loved her time at the Crown Plaza and credits a lot of it to the people she works with: “I love working here. The people are wonderful. Robin (Ford, General Manager) is ready to accommodate any training and opportunities you want. As long as you are passionate about it, he is ready to support you. My Job Coach Rosie is so lovely and helpful and just gets it. Not once have I had a bad day where she hasn’t been there to support me and help me through it.”
Lauren’s experience has allowed her to build confidence – so much so that she applied for a course at university. She will be attending BIMM where she will study Music, Business and Events and couldn’t be more excited: “I really wouldn’t have applied to university without this experience.”
But to boost the good news even further, the Crowne Plaza have also offered her a paid part time position to allow her to work alongside her study which Lauren was thrilled to accept.
She is so pleased to have done the Supported Internship: “The College support and the internship experience have been incredible. I never had the confidence before. I was thrown in the deep end here and learnt so much and grown as a person. I felt so supported and secure and now I am so much more ready to handle the real world.”
