Dates-n-Mates Aberdeen worked with a wonderful Project Search intern at the end of 2024.
DFN Project Search is an employability programme for young people (aged 16-24) with learning disabilities and/or autism. Within the programme individuals are offered 3 internship placements, an employability qualification, and job coaching. Project Search is delivered in conjunction with Values Into Action Scotland, Aberdeen University and North East Scotland College.
Only 4.1% of people in Scotland with a learning disability who are known to local authorities are in paid employment, compared to 80% of their peers.
40% of Dates-n-Mates employees are people with lived experience and we could not do what we do without their valued input. We feel strongly that people with a learning disability and/or autism should have more opportunities and access points to employment. We were delighted to be able to partner with Project Search and offer an internship to give another individual valuable experience and skills and hope we can do this again in the future.
Lorna's internship story
“I have been doing an internship with Dates-n-Mates and have really enjoyed it.
I have been completing tasks like making statistics documents for different branches across Scotland, researching events around Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, making spreadsheets, making event summary documents and have attended an event at Codona’s.
I have found it really helpful that it has been a remote internship because it has meant that I do not need to travel far and it has been good to be able to practice using Microsoft Teams; I like having a quiet place to work so it has been great that I could just get on with my tasks at my own speed and in an environment where I am able to work comfortably.
Everyone who I met were really welcoming and very friendly, from the start, I knew that they were very flexible and willing to hear my ideas too; I have also been told that if I want to, I can attend future events, I would definitely recommend that more people get involved in any way that they can.”
Lorna – Project Search intern
“Our Project SEARCH Team were delighted to work in partnership with the Dates-n-Mates Team in supporting Lorna with a very meaningful and person centred approach during her 10 week internship. The variety of administration tasks, experience and the social element has allowed Lorna to become more confident and help to further develop a strong work ethic.”
Jim Saunders – Values into Action, Senior Lead Consultant
“We were so impressed with the level of commitment and hard work that Lorna put into each task and the quality of the work produced. It was a pleasure to have Lorna join the team and we hope to connect with her and the Project Search team further in the future. I am positive that Lorna has a bright future ahead of her.”
Louise McEwan – Dates-n-Mates Aberdeen, Regional Lead.
