Mid Yorkshire’s Project SEARCH programme a finalist in National Awards

The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust is delighted to announce that its Project SEARCH programme has been shortlisted in the ‘Making a Difference - Public Sector’ category, of the prestigious Recruitment Industry Disability Initiative (RIDI) Awards 2021.

Once a year the RIDI Awards bring together leading change-makers in the recruitment sector to celebrate the very best of disability confident recruitment.

The Project SEARCH programme implemented at The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, was nominated for providing supported training opportunities within a hospital setting, for young adults aged 17-25 with a learning disability.

The Project SEARCH programme, which The Trust first launched on 1 September 2017 at Pinderfields Hospital followed by Dewsbury Hospital in September 2019, provides real life work experience combined with training in employability and independent living skills, to help young people make successful transitions from school to productive adult life.

The trainees are matched to their placements in terms of skills, abilities and interests, and this differs for each student. The trainees are supported by their local mentors who work alongside them in each department, helping them to learn the skills required in each placement, until they can perform the tasks independently.

Phillip Marshall, Director of Workforce and Organisational Development at The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to receive this recognition for our Project SEARCH Programme. It is a fantastic initiative, making a real difference to young people in our local communities, to support and help them overcome barriers and difficulties, to be ready for and obtain employment.

“This recognition is a huge reward for all the efforts made by our Project SEARCH team and our staff involved in making this programme such a success here at the Trust. Thank you and well done to everyone involved.”

The winners will be selected following a rigorous, second stage of judging ahead of the virtual RIDI Awards 2021 ceremony, which takes place on Friday 3 December 2021.