Autistic young people have taken their first career steps - thanks to an internship programme run by a Muswell Hill charity.

Sophie and Prince are celebrating the success of securing their first jobs with the help of a supported work-based study scheme set up by Ambitious about Autism with help from Archway's Whittington Hospital.

The national charity for autistic children and young people in Woodside Avenue started the programme to help tackle the alarmingly low employment rates among autistic people.

Currently, just 29% of autistic people are in any form of work. 
 
The programme - aimed at 16 to 25-year-olds who have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan and want to move into work - helped Sophie and Prince to develop valuable employability skills which they showcased in job interviews and trial shifts.

It lead to to employment offers with Sophie securing a role as a nursery assistant at Alphablocks Nursey School in Hadley Wood, where she will also complete a Level 3 childcare qualification, and Prince now working in the stores team at Barnet General Hospital. 
 
During the programme, the pair honed their skills at the Whittington Hospital in Archway.

Sophie worked on both a post-surgery ward and in the play team, which supports young patients at the hospital, where she developed her care skills and completed support worker and care training.  
 
Prince had two placements at the hospital, one with the stores team, and another with the pharmacy distribution team.

He also worked at the M&S Foodhall in Archway. 
 
The Whittington Hospital has been a partner of Ambitious about Autism’s programme since 2019 and has offered numerous placements to autistic young people over the years. 
 
Sophie said: “When I joined the supported internship programme last September, I was very nervous and didn’t know what to expect. But within the first few weeks, we did lots of team building activities that helped us develop our friendships.  
 
“The team also supported us with job applications and interview practice. This helped me get my new role at the nursery which I’m really excited about!” 
 
Prince said: “I’ve really enjoyed my time on the internship programme. I’ve made good friendships with the other interns and have enjoyed going to weekly socials.  
 
“The programme has really helped to improve my confidence and my job skills, and I am proud to be joining the Stores team at Barnet General Hospital.” 
 
Teacher Gemma Mullan, who leads the programme, said: “We are incredibly proud of everything our graduating interns have achieved this year, including Sophie and Prince, who will bring so much to their exciting new roles.” 
 
“Our supported internship programme creates vital opportunities for autistic young people that enable them to be themselves and realise their ambitions. We encourage other local employers to get in touch if they are interested in offering work experience to young people.” 
 
For further information about the programme visit: https://ambitiouscollege.org.uk/supported-internships