The National Paralympic Heritage Trust (NPHT) exists to “enlighten and inspire future generations by celebrating, cherishing and bringing the Paralympic heritage and its stories of human endeavour to life”.
NPHT are caretakers of the world’s most important disability history collections, the Paralympic movement, and aim to become, and help others become seamlessly inclusive. NPHT are funded by the Rothschild Foundation, a lead partner of the Bucks Data Exchange.
One strand of their work has involved researching and developing a flexible work-placement programme, responsive to individual needs of young people with Special educational needs and disability (SEND). The placement seeks to empower disabled people to curate Paralympic and disability heritage locally, whilst nurturing and cultivating young talent with SEND for an inclusive, vibrant and resilient local cultural sector.
To ensure the work-placement programme meet individuals needs NPHT went through various stages of research, with evaluation and reflection embedded into each stage ensuring the perspectives and feedback from young people and local partners were represented and responded to.
Understanding the need
- Consultation with young people and local partners enabled them to identify the needs of learners, local schools and colleges.
- A focus group was held with an established college providing learning support for young people and adults with a learning disability or autism. In this meeting learners were able to share their experiences of previous work placements, what they felt worked well and the areas that did not work well for them. This discussion along with meetings with organisers of placements helped to further develop the work placement offering.
“I think being at NPHT will help me in future with my online digital skills, interaction and communication skills in some part of the creative industry” (quote from student when asked how a placement could help her in the future).
Developing the work-placement offer
NPHT reviewed and revised all work placement documentation (application, risk assessment, work plans, monitoring and evaluation forms) and created a work placement policy statement which stated the NPHT’s commitment to the work placement programme and allows staff to understand what we seek to achieve with our programme. These documents were shared with local partners for feedback and many have expressed how inclusive and supportive the work placement statement is.
An extract from feedback received from a local partner, “The document is nothing short of impressive, conveying a clear and comprehensive understanding of the work placement opportunities” MacIntyre Charity.
Delivering the work-placement and ongoing learning
NPHT had initially planned to start work placements in the second year of the programme but with such demand they delivered four in year one and this contributed to their ongoing learning and helped refine their offer.
Feedback from another student on what they had learnt whilst on placement:
“Confidence in ability to achieve success in the working world even while I am not entirely sure what I am doing”
“Work is not as terrifying as it first appears and is pleasant and full of amazing people”
“I feel I have more confidence in my own abilities”.
To effectively support the students on their work placements NPHT had to adapt to the needs of their service users, re-thinking how the project was staffed to meet their needs properly. Originally supported by a 2.5 day role, to being supported by 2 members of staff leading to recruitment of a new post.
“A giant, tiring, amazing, wonderful learning curve with a long way to go” Vicky Hope, CEO NPHT extract presentation at Museum’s Association All Inclusive Conference.
Development of the programme continues to challenge the NPHT team, opening their eyes to discrimination for people with learning needs and neurodivergence wanting work, and the impact of turning people down who have been trying for years to find work. It has highlighted the importance of continuing to make space for reflection and evaluation to understand and account for the impacts of the programme, to support the wellbeing of the delivery team and the individuals with SEND taking part.
To find out more about Rothschild grant making programmes in Buckinghamshire, please see their website
