"I've been supported and believed in" | Caroline's Project SEARCH journey so far

22nd January 2026

18-year-old Caroline joined Project SEARCH in September 2025 to get experience in a work setting and to understand some of the different career pathways available to her. 

Since then, both her confidence and her skillset has grown massively with the support of her Project SEARCH mentors and Health Board colleagues. 

The Project SEARCH programme offers supported internships to young people aged 16 – 24 with autism and/or learning disabilities. Interns have the opportunity to complete placements in different Health Board departments over the course of the programme, which equips them with the necessary knowledge and skills they need to get meaningful paid jobs.  

The programme works in partnership with Cardiff City Council, Cardiff Commitment and Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, and gives the young people a chance to try out different roles and meet new people with the appropriate support in place. 

Caroline’s first placement was in Ward-Based Catering, where she was responsible for ensuring food was the right temperature before serving, delivering tea and  coffee, washing dishes, keeping kitchen spaces tidy, and engaging with patients. Caroline also used healthcare management software Synbiotix as part of her role, something she is especially proud of. 

Caroline enjoyed being patient-facing and collaboratively working as part of the wider catering team. “My favourite part was seeing the patients get better as the days go by and being part of their journey” she said.  

“The thing that I like most about working as part of Project SEARCH is definitely being encouraged to step out of your comfort zone, being supported and being believed in, and not looked down on for having Additional Learning Needs” she says. 

Supported Internship Manager at Cardiff Council, Amy Moreno-Grey, works closely with the Project SEARCH interns, and has already noticed the positive impact that the experience has had on Caroline. “Caroline’s confidence has grown significantly since starting the programme with us in September. 

“It’s been clear that Caroline has the capability to achieve and benefits from guidance and support whilst in the workplace to ensure she is able to reach her potential. We hope that as her placements continue, her self-confidence will continue to grow.” 

Caroline has now moved into her second placement as part of the programme, this time as a Clinical Support Worker at the University Hospital of Wales’ Dental Hospital. “I’m looking forward to stepping outside of my comfort zone and trying a department and role that I would not have considered working in before joining Project SEARCH. I hope to develop a new set of skills whilst working in this department.” 

Good luck to Caroline and all our Project SEARCH interns as they settle into their second placements. 

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is proud to support the Project SEARCH programme and is lucky to welcome interns into our workforce, bringing their enthusiasm, dedication, and fresh perspectives.  

For more information on work experience and other opportunities for young people, please visit our page on work experience. For more information on DFN Project SEARCH, please visit their website.