From Student to Mentor

We are very excited that one of the very first Project Search interns with the Project Search programme based at Bristol City Council, has now become a mentor to one of the current Project Search interns.

Kristian Hedges started Project Search in 2012 and, as one of the first 7 interns on the programme in Bristol, undertook placements in the Health and Social Care, Meals Service and Schools Admissions departments in the City Council. Supported internships are an ideal way to develop employment skills whilst undertaking a number of supported work placements matched closely to the skills and interests of the individual. Project SEARCH in Bristol brings together a partnership between Bristol City Council, Sixteen Co-operative Ltd and City of Bristol College.

Although most people go straight into paid employment from an internship, Kristian, with support from his Job Coach, went on to complete an apprenticeship in the Benefits, Admin and Business Support finance team at the Council before securing a full time paid role.  He has now been working there for over 3 years.

Kristian’s suggestion to his Manager Julia that he was interested in becoming a mentor, helped to secure a placement in his team for Jade, one of the newest Project Search interns. Jade was really keen to work in an office and gain experience working in an admin role. Kristian helped Jade to settle quickly and become a valued member of the team by explaining things clearly and happily answering questions. She has received positive feedback from both Kristian and her Manager, who commented on what a great help she had been.

Sixteen currently supports four different support Internship Programmes in Bristol so if you are interested in offering a work experience placement to one of our interns or would like to know more about becoming a mentor, please get in touch.

Kristian is very clear that his own experience of Project Search has helped enormously in his role as mentor as he knows what it feels like to be just starting out on work placements. We hope that Jade’s future will be as rewarding at Kristian’s!