Young interns make a difference at Bridgwater Community Hospital and Casa de Lusso nursing home

Bridgwater Community Hospital has joined together with partners to offer a supported internship for young autistic people, people with a learning disability, or those who identify as neurodiverse.

The internship is being run in partnership with Casa de Lusso nursing home, which is next door to the hospital, the social enterprise, Discovery, which mentors and supports young people, along with University Centre Somerset-Bridgwater College.

The first intake of interns took place in September 2025, with eight interns placed across Casa de Lusso and Bridgwater Community Hospital.

Peter Harvey, matron at Bridgwater Community Hospital, says he is pleased with the impact the interns are having on the hospital so far.

“We’ve already had great feedback from both the interns themselves, and our colleagues supporting them, which is great to hear,” he says.

The interns are completing three placements within the nursing home or Bridgwater Hospital across the academic year, trying out different areas and building their skills towards employability.

Matthew Lloyd, an intern on his second placement, says: “I have learned a lot, and I like the variety of things to do in the hospital.

“My first placement was at the nursing home, and I was doing administration and receptionist work. Now I am on Waverley ward at the hospital, and I am enjoying making up the admission packs for each patient ready for when they are admitted to the hospital.

“I could not answer the phone before, but now I can do it quite well. I would like to do administration; I do not mind where, though, as I think I can pick it up quite quickly.

“After college, I was trying to find a job for nine months before I got this placement and I was getting quite bored at home. Now I have a schedule and something to do.”

Mitchell Chase, supported internship trainer / job coach, explains, “The yearlong placement is all about building employability skills for these young people, discovering their strengths, and finding out what they like to do.

“Matthew did catering at college and thought it would be his future career, but after looking at what it was like to work in the kitchens he wasn’t as keen, so I encouraged him to try admin to suit him better…and now he loves it.”

Discovery supports interns with a job coach like Mitchell, who collaborates with them to carefully job match by creating a vocational profile, including looking at interns’ likes and dislikes, before exploring their options.

Another intern, Harrison Small, is doing his second placement in the facilities and portering department, after completing his first in the maintenance team at Casa. He helps with tasks like delivering clean scrubs and linen to various parts of the hospital.

Harrison says: “I like doing helping with all the different jobs and working with Steve. My family are pretty happy with it too.”

Mitchell adds: “I have seen Harrison really grow in his confidence and all the colleagues and mentors at the hospital have been so supportive of him.

“His parents have told us that Harrison is interested in new things and is even helping out with maintenance at home – they are really impressed with him.”

Discovery helps with support before the placement, including travel training, which teaches interns how to independently travel to work. By the end of the placement, the team hopes that the interns will have gained experience and skills needed to gain employment.

“Overall, 70% of our interns have found employment after a year on a supported internship,” Mitchell continues.

“Three of the eight have found that they were not ready for a supported internship and have gone back to college for employability courses, but we hope they will try again next year.

“The other five are doing really well and I’ve been impressed at how they are solving any problems they come up against, and how supportive their mentors have been.”

Other interns have taken on roles, such as helping with activities in the care home, or in the facilities team in the hospital.

Alison Ward, from Bridgwater College, adds: “The course at Bridgwater Community Hospital and Casa de Lusso nursing home is progressing well, with learners engaging positively in both their practical placements and taught sessions.

“Learners have a wide range of individual needs, and the course is structured to provide flexible, personalised support to ensure everyone can access learning and succeed.

“They are developing confidence, improving their workplace skills, and gaining a stronger understanding of professional expectations within health and social care settings.

“Attendance and participation have been good, and learners are responding well to the support from college staff and workplace mentors.

“Overall, the course is running smoothly, with learners making steady progress toward their individual goals and future employment or progression opportunities.”