The Legacy Project

The Legacy Project - Supported Internships

Who we are

Welcome to The Legacy Project, a national award winning, supported internship programme, which is part of the Divine Days Community CIC group, operating across Skelmersdale and the surrounding areas, for 16-24 year olds with additional needs. Initially part of the Transforming Care vision of the NHS, we seek to break down health inequalities and promote resilience and connectivity in our young learning disabled and disabled community. We work alongside local businesses and the local FE college, providing a 1 year Supported Internship programme, to promote cohesion and a workforce of young people who are supported to utilise their wealth of untapped potential and skill, and to make a valued contribution to their society.

How does it work?

Supported Internships are fully funded allowing for a young person with additional needs, to enter a working environment with support and guidance from a professional job coach, whilst enabling the employer to have the confidence to tap into their work ethic, commitment and the unique skill set of our Interns. The Intern attends college 2 days per week and their employment placement 3 days per week. A job coach supports the Intern each day, helping to act as a communication bridge between them and their college/employer, as well as supporting with and breaking down tasks in a way that will encourage their success and achievement. Over time the Intern develops their confidence and further develops their skill set, allowing the job coach to modify and gradually reduce that level of support, eventually leaving the Intern fully capable of independent working and the employer with a diverse, skillful and experienced employee.

Have a look at our latest Short Film

How we've succeeded

The employment rate for people with additional needs typically hovers around 6% nationally, however The Legacy Project has defied this statistic with a current success rate into employment of 80%!

We believe that everybody has the right to contribute to society and that all skills, problem solving approaches and learning styles are both valuable and are what create the most successful and most diverse organisations and communities. Through our person-centred approach, and tailored 1-1 support, our interns have successfully graduated into employment in a wide range of sectors, including caretaking, IT, administration, horticulture, joinery, and other specialised roles.

Much more than that even, our interns report feeling an enhanced sense of confidence, wellbeing, improved communication and life skills and a greater sense of purpose. And for those who do not immediately go into employment following graduation, they have developed vital employment and life skills, a qualification, friendships, work experience for their CV and an onward reference. We also continue to support our interns long after they have graduated.

We invite you to read a few of our success stories below; just 3 examples of people we have supported in our community. You can also watch our short film above, which further highlights the work that we do at The Legacy Project.

How you can get involved/support us

If you are interested in getting involved with the supporting the work of The Legacy Project, to diversify your workplace, to tap into an eager labor force who bring a fresh perspective and unique set of skills, and to help your community by breaking down barriers to inclusion and accessibility, please contact Richard at Richard@divinedays.co.uk or call 07850851108.