Ashley Fox MP has visited Bridgwater Hospital to see the Health and Social Care Supported Internship programme delivered by Discovery, meeting intern Harrison and speaking directly with those responsible for supporting young people into employment.
During the visit, Ashley Fox met Mitchel Chase, Job Coach at Discovery, Kim Hoskins, Business Liaison at the HOST site at Bridgwater Hospital, and Shona Howes, Supported Employment Manager at Discovery.
The supported internship programme, delivered by Discovery in partnership with Bridgwater College and local employers, helps young people with autism or learning disabilities build confidence, develop practical skills, and take steps towards paid employment. Classroom based learning, employability support, and real workplace experience are combined with tailored, wraparound support. Mr Fox saw first hand the positive difference this inclusive approach makes, particularly at the critical transition point from education into work.
Concerns were raised during the visit about recent cuts to Access to Work funding from the Department for Work and Pensions, which now only covers 26 weeks of a 39 week programme. Those involved warned that withdrawing support at this stage risks undermining progress and reducing successful outcomes for interns.
Shona Howes, Supported Employment Manager at Discovery, says “Young autistic people and people with disabilities want to contribute to the workforce and be active members of their communities. Having a job and a career provides meaningful opportunities for inclusion, independence, and purpose. Everyone has the right to work if they choose to, and Discovery believes this is possible for all people when the right level of support is in place. If support is cut, people will not achieve their aspirations and may not have the opportunity to succeed.”
Commenting after the visit, Ashley Fox MP said, “It was a privilege to meet Harrison and see the supported internship programme delivered by Discovery at Bridgwater Hospital. It was good to see young people being properly supported, given real workplace experience, and helped to build confidence. Cutting Access to Work funding at the most important stage in young people’s lives risks undoing the progress being made.”
He finished saying, “I will press the case with Ministers for sustained funding so that young people who benefit most from supported internships are not let down.”
