Eighteen youths with learning disabilities graduate from this year's Project SEARCH programme
Eighteen young people with learning disabilities have graduated from this year's Project SEARCH programme - marking 15 years since the initiative began in Lanarkshire.
Since starting in 2010, almost 300 youngsters have taken part in Project SEARCH in Lanarkshire, gaining valuable skills and work experience to help them find jobs.
The programme started at University Hospital Wishaw and later expanded to university hospitals Monklands and Hairmyres.
It is delivered in partnership by NHS Lanarkshire, New College Lanarkshire, North and South Lanarkshire councils, Serco and ISS.
Martin Hill, chair of NHS Lanarkshire, said: "This event is always a highlight of the year for NHS Lanarkshire - and for good reason.
"It's a chance to celebrate the hard work of our students and the difference that real opportunities and strong partnerships can make.
"Some of this year's graduates are already moving into work, including jobs with NHS Lanarkshire.
"That's something we're really proud of. It shows how we're helping create real career paths for people in our communities."
During the programme, each student completes two or three work placements in hospital departments, learning new skills and building confidence., with many going on to find jobs and live more independently.
North Lanarkshire Council Provost Kenneth Duffy said: "I was delighted to be part of Project SEARCH's graduation.
"The event recognises the learning achievements and skills development of young people with a view to them securing and retaining employment.
"It was great to hear first-hand the students' experiences and their plans for the future.
"Key to the project's success is the strong partnership working in place between the organisations involved who continue to support young adults increasing their employability, confidence and chance of securing employment in the general job market.
"Congratulations to everyone involved."
And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
3 hours ago
- Daily Record
First day at school for Lanarkshire youngster who was Scotland's youngest Covid patient
Peyton Maguire was just three weeks old when she was diagnosed with Covid in the early days of the pandemic - but has bounced back and is now heading for Primary One A Lanarkshire youngster who was thought to be Scotland's youngest Covid patient when she was just three weeks old is all set to start school. Five-year-old Peyton Maguire is among the thousands of new starts who will be heading to classrooms across North and South Lanarkshire for the first time on Thursday when she starts in Primary One at Aitkenhead Primary in her home town of Uddingston. She weighed less than four pounds when she was born two months prematurely by section at University Hospital Wishaw in the first week of the Covid lockdown in March 2020, and the tiny newborn then had to spend time in isolation until finally testing negative and being able to go home for the first time the following month. Mum Tracy, now 32, and dad AJ, 34 were shocked when NHS Lanarkshire staff first diagnosed their three-week-old baby with the virus in April 2020 – and her story made headlines around the world in the earliest days of the pandemic, with Tracy now saying: 'The head teacher has joked that they're about to have a celebrity join the school.' Peyton had been delivered early after Tracy was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia, and was being cared for in an incubator in Wishaw's neonatal unit when her parents were told the alarming news that she'd tested positive for Covid-19. Her mum recalled: 'We were told we'd have to stay away from Peyton for 14 days and isolate at home but I pleaded not to be apart from my baby for that long. The staff kindly agreed I could to isolate with her in the hospital while AJ stayed at home. 'Watching the staff at work was incredible. They put their lives at risk to make sure my baby was getting fed and cuddled. Even wearing their PPE, they were determined to hold her. 'I found the same compassion when I had my second daughter, Harley, who's nearly two now. She was also premature and needed extra care. Peyton was able to visit me and Harley in the maternity unit and the staff were very happy to see her again.' Boxing coaches Tracy and AJ are grateful that Peyton's expert care during the traumatic period ensured she has had no long-term health problems, with Tracy adding: 'She's great except for a touch of asthma – it's a real tribute to the staff who looked after her. I was so moved when I found out some of them had to live away from their own children during the pandemic but were caring for my baby.' Peyton bounced back after her weeks of treatment at Wishaw General. The five-year-old loves fashion, gymnastics and drawing and can't wait to begin classes at Aitkenhead Primary, where she is all set with a schoolbag in her favourite colour of pink. Tracy said: 'We've been in so many papers, magazines and TV shows, but the most worthwhile thing her story has led us to do was taking part in a conference for neonatal nurses, where I shared my experience. 'I was also amazed when a woman tapped me on the shoulder in the street and told me she'd read my story and it was the only reason she'd felt confident to go to hospital to have her baby during the pandemic.' 'It's great to hear how she's doing and hard to believe that tiny, vulnerable baby is now a lively five-year-old who's about to go to school.'
Glasgow Times
2 days ago
- Glasgow Times
Ponies and circus skills take centre stage at Lanarkshire fun day
The free event, Tea in the Garden, was held at University Hospital Wishaw's King George V Community Garden on Tuesday, July 29, and was organised by NHS Lanarkshire's health improvement team. It offered a packed programme of hands-on activities including cycling, arts and crafts, gardening, African drumming, archery, circus skills, rounders and more. (Image: Supplied) Read more: Scotland's oldest youth club in Glasgow reveals new project Vicki Trim, health improvement lead at University Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire, said: 'It was a brilliant day. 'We loved seeing families so engaged and relaxed – children were smiling from start to finish. 'North Lanarkshire's health and social care partnership works together to bring a number of events to the community throughout the year to help raise awareness of health and wellbeing opportunities. 'We'd like to share a massive thank you to all the partners and volunteers who made the day such a success, and a special thanks to Tesco, who kindly donated the refreshments.' Among the most popular attractions were Buttons and Fudge, two ponies from Ponies Help Children, who offered gentle, interactive experiences for visitors. The Therapets team also attended, bringing comfort dogs Alfie the whippet and Dela the beagle, who regularly visit hospitals, care homes and schools across Scotland. Emergency services joined the event, with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service offering water safety advice from an inflatable canoe and letting children try on fire service uniforms. Meanwhile, the Scottish Ambulance Service brought an ambulance, giving families the chance to have a look inside. Other organisations provided information on local services and support. North Lanarkshire Community Partnership Team promoted its Period Dignity scheme, while Phoenix Futures Scotland hosted children's arts and crafts. Mental health charity SAMH shared details about weekly peer support sessions. Youth work and community learning teams offered games, crafts and sports, while other organisations provided information on health and wellbeing services. (Image: Supplied) (Image: Supplied) Grant Murdoch, health improvement practitioner in Wishaw, said: 'We want to make it as easy as possible for people to find out about the fantastic local services available right here in the community. 'Events like this really help build connections and give people a chance to experience the amazing work happening and support offered. 'We were delighted with the turnout and hope that attendees, as well as the organisations who participated, had a great day.' Read more: North Lanarkshire appoints new director of nursing with 35 years of experience Shadia Muhammad, a parent who attended with her eight-year-old son, said: 'We got a message through the parents and teachers group and came along. 'We did the drumming, made a 'sticky' at the arts and crafts tent and played football. 'My son loved it – it was hard to get him away. 'It's great to see something like this. 'We've lived here a long time but this is the first event like this I've seen. 'It's so important for keeping kids active and off screens during the holidays.' (Image: Supplied) (Image: Supplied) Another attendee said: 'I brought my grandson who's 2 – he loved the ponies and the ambulance, and just running around outside. 'Myself and my daughter work in the hospital, so it was nice to have a day like this where he could explore and enjoy being outdoors. 'We've had a lovely day.'
BBC News
5 days ago
- BBC News
NHS Lanarkshire doctor suspended for using dead patients names to get drugs
A doctor who used the names of dead patients to get drugs for himself has been suspended from practicing medicine for a John Henderson used various names at 17 pharmacies across Glasgow and Lanarkshire between July 2021 and February 2022 to obtain painkillers. The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service ruled that his fitness to practice was impaired, and imposed a 12-month ban on his registration. Henderson, who held a senior post with NHS Lanarkshire, previously admitted fraud in a trial at Hamilton Sheriff Court last year but avoided a jail sentence. Henderson used the prescriptions to acquire the strong painkiller oxycodone, which he claimed he was using to treat a gall bladder filled out the prescriptions using the names of both living and dead patients. An investigation into the amount of prescriptions being written for the drug revealed links between the paperwork and Henderson. A search of his home in June 2022 found needles and drugs and he was was ordered in court to pay £883 compensation to the NHS for the scam, and sentenced to a community payback order with a supervision period of nine was also told to complete an unpaid work programme of 100 hours within 12 months. The MPTS ruled that the suspension should take effect immediately "to protect public confidence in the medical profession".NHS Lanarkshire previously stated it had taken immediate action against Henderson when his crimes came to is understood to now be living in England.
