Our Demonstrator Programme has put the focus on parents aged 18 and over, supporting them to re-enter the workforce or upskilling within the NHS.
Reflecting the Scottish Government’s No-One Left Behind agenda, with a focus on tackling child poverty and our commitment as an Anchor Organisation, our third NHS Demonstrator Programme welcomed 37 people into NHS Lanarkshire and facilities management company ISS.
Building on the achievements of previous programmes, we launched our third cohort in October. This programme maintained the goals of Demonstrator 2, offering paid placements across NHS Lanarkshire sites and introducing the new role of Assistant Technical Officer in Cardiology and Pharmacy, which offers an exciting opportunity for participants to get involved in these areas.
The programme adopts a flexible approach to working hours, accommodating participants’ childcare needs and adjusting to new routines. Throughout each Demonstrator Programme, the Employability Hub Team has played a crucial role in providing wraparound support for participants. NHS Lanarkshire Job Coaches run their induction and conduct monthly one-on-one sessions with participants. They also host networking sessions featuring workshops on goal setting, career preferences, applications and interview techniques, with a chance to build peer to peer relationships.
Senior Employability Advisor Nicole Grant, who has coordinated the programmes, said: “The benefits are outstanding, with many parents citing health, financial and personal developments such as increased confidence and wellbeing.
“Meeting the individuals at their induction and then seeing them at the end of the programmes is very rewarding as the progression is always clear to see. We’ve had many individuals stay with us in and achieve permanent or promoted roles.
“The best part of my job is helping people and I always feel bursting with pride when I see the positive impact that programmes like this has on people’s lives. I want to say a huge thank you to our managers that offer these placements as we couldn’t do it without your support and dedication.”
BACKGROUND
We implemented the first NHS Demonstrator Programme in 2022 to help long-term unemployed individuals back into the workplace. Initially targeting those aged 25 and older who had been out of work for extended periods, the programme offered wraparound support, access to vocational training and paid work placements.
Following the success of the first programme, we ran our second cohort in October 2023. A total of 38 individuals participated in the programme, taking on roles such as administration assistant, porter, catering assistant, domestic assistant, and health care support worker. We also partnered with ISS at University Hospital Hairmyres, who offered placements within roles such as a porter and healthcare/cleaning assistant. At the programme’s conclusion, 71 per cent of the individuals transitioned into positive destinations.
Rachel Nicholls, who took a role as a Health Care Support Worker at University Hospital Wishaw, said: “I think it’s an excellent programme for people looking to get back into work. I wouldn’t have had the confidence if it wasn’t for this opportunity and I absolutely love the job.”
Lyndsey Shaw, who was based at Coathill Hospital in an admin role, said: “The reassurance has been excellent. It can be daunting re-entering work, but with the support from everyone I met, I felt continuously supported and reassured.”
Gillian Sweeney, Occupational Therapy Advanced Practitioner at University Hospital Wishaw, who took on a participant from the programme, said: “It’s a very useful scheme which provides benefits to both the individual and the organisation.”
Tracy-Ann Kidd, a manager in Health Improvement at Beckford Street, added: “To see them so nervous on their first day and watch them grow and develop has been wonderful. It’s a great opportunity for individuals to acclimatise themselves back into a work situation after being out of work for so long.”
