My experience by Terie Green
When I was leaving school, like any other teenager I was still a bit unsure of what exactly I wanted to do. The What Next project came to see me to ask me what sort of work placement I would like to do. I had two options that I wanted to do which were, Theatrical and media Make-up and working with Special Needs. Once I had decided they did there best to find me a suitable work placement. I did my work experience in a special school. The staff where really nice and so where the children, I learned a lot whilst doing the work experience. The work experience lasted a month and took place during the summer holidays. I had to follow their routine each day, for example have breaks when they said I could, don’t use my mobile phone, dress smart-casually and be in for work at a certain time. You get paid for doing the work experience; I got paid once a week but the first week I had to work a week in hand so got paid for the first week at the end of my second week. Every week a member of staff from the What Next Project would come and see me to see how well I was doing and to see if I was filling out my log book each day.
I feel more confident in working in a team now, and communicating in other ways, for example I had to communicate with the children using PECS (Picture, Exchange and Communication System) and with musical interaction I had to use sign language. I think that I have gained certain skills and qualities since I had done this work experience.
The What Next Project was set up for young people under the care of South Gloucestershire Local Authority and you are given the chance to find out what your ideal future career might be. It has really helped young people and given them a lot of opportunities.
I really enjoyed the work experience in the special needs school and learned a lot from it, it was an eye opener.
By Terie Green
Child and Adolescent, Learning and Development Apprentice