Katie, one of our SEND young people, had an incredible opportunity to attend a youth advocacy event at the Houses of Parliament in London, selected because of the outstanding progress she is making on the DFN Project SEARCH programme at Leicester Royal Infirmary. Her experience highlights how supported internships can open doors to national conversations about inclusion, employment and skills.
The event was hosted by Jodie Gosling, the Member of Parliament for Nuneaton, and featured speakers including Angela Rayner, The Rt Hon Dame Diana Johnson DBE MP (Minister for Employment), and Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, a Paralympic legend and advocate for disability rights.
As part of the event, there was opportunities for young interns from across the country to have their voices heard and respond to some questions asked by the host. Katie spoke confidently in front of everyone, answering questions and sharing her views. One of the key points she raised was that many employers still focus more on qualifications than the skills and potential young people bring to the workplace, this was rooted in her own experience of struggling to pass certain exams. This perspective clearly resonated with the host who elaborated on Katie's response, demonstrating how valuable lived experience can be in shaping understanding and influencing change.
We were also incredibly impressed by how inspiring all the young people in the room were, demonstrating confidence, passion, and insight about the challenges they face and the opportunities they want to see. The MPs and speakers were excellent, engaging with the issues thoughtfully and discussing tangible ways to support young people with SEND and promote more inclusive employment practices.
The visit also became a personal milestone for Katie beyond the event itself. It was her first time navigating London, including using the trains and the Underground. With support from Ross, Altogether Now Project Manager, Katie learned to plan routes herself working out which line to take, how many stops, and the best way to get to each destination. She also adapted confidently to unexpected train cancellations, showing independence and resilience that reflect the confidence she’s building through her supported internship experience.
The day wasn’t all formal proceedings: Katie also got to enjoy some of London’s fun sights, exploring Leicester Square and Covent Garden, including stops at the LEGO Store and M&M’s Store, bringing a joyful end to a day of big achievements.
At Leicestershire Cares, we’re dedicated to supporting SEND young people to grow their confidence, develop their skills, and have their voices heard, both in their local communities or at the national level. This visit to Westminster, driven by Katie’s hard work on Project SEARCH and supported through the Altogether Now programme, is a powerful example of that commitment in action.
We’re incredibly proud of Katie’s achievements and can’t wait to see where her journey takes her next.