"They've made me feel seen and not discriminated against for having additional learning needs" | Caz's Project SEARCH journey

18-year-old Caz joined Project SEARCH to gain experience in a work setting, to help her take the next step towards employment. Since joining, her confidence has improved massively, and she’s become a valued member of the Dental Hospital team. 

To mark Learning Disability Week, we’re celebrating Caz’s journey through Project SEARCH and the confidence she has gained along the way. 

Project SEARCH programme is a partnership initiative with Cardiff City Council, Cardiff Commitment and Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. The scheme helps young people with learning disabilities and/or autism gain invaluable work experience. Interns aged 16-19 complete placements in a range of departments across the Health Board, preparing them for future employment. 

Caz completed her first placement with Ward Based Catering at the University Hospital of Wales and has since completed placements in the Orthodontic Department and Paediatric Dentistry at the University Dental Hospital. 

When Caz first started her placement at the Dental Hospital, she lacked confidence and felt shy around colleagues and patients. Dental Nurse Rachel Yemm who has worked closely with Caz said: “Caz was very shy at first and if she felt overwhelmed would go to a safe space (my office). Over the first two weeks she did this a few times, but after she settled into the department, she rarely used my office.” 

As Caz settled in, she picked up more tasks, now playing an essential role in the day-to-day running of different dental clinics, including the busy student clinics. 

“My role involves prepping patient files in readiness for appointments, photocopying forms to ensure that there are enough, using the Patient Management System (PMS) to print patient labels, making sure that clinical areas are clean and tidy, refilling stock, and cleaning the alginate bowls and dental spatulas. I also answer the triage phone to patients and call patients in to their appointments” Caz describes. 

“Caz has been a great support for all the background tasks that keep the clinic running smoothly” Rachel says, “she is happy and helpful, enthusiastic and brings a positive energy to the department.”