Project SEARCH 2025/26 cohort graduate

Young people with additional support needs in the Falkirk area who are on the hunt to find a job with the help of DFN Project SEARCH – have graduated from their one-year internship programme at Forth Valley Royal Hospital.

A partnership between Forth Valley College, Falkirk Council Employment and Training Unit, Serco, NHS Forth Valley and Skills Development Scotland – David Forbes Nixon (DFN) Project SEARCH supports young people with learning difficulties to gain skills and experience aimed at helping them move into sustainable employment. The DFN Charitable Foundation is a UK registered charity established in 2014 by David Forbes Nixon with the express aim of promoting programmes such as this one.

Based at Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert, the group of six young interns aged between 18-24: Liam Berry, Paul Finlay, Charlotte Russell, Joseph Loutfi, Ross McKay, and Douglas Patton, began their course in August 2025 and graduated on Thursday 17 September 2026 at the hospital. 

Janie Brown, Falkirk Council’s Principal Officer at the Employment and Training Unit (ETU) introduced the event. Mark O’Hear, Serco’s Contract Director, Lucy Hawkins, Forth Valley College’s Curriculum Manager for the Department of Care, Sport, Business and Communities both spoke at the event, as did Project SEARCH’s Isobel Critch. Aidan Moore of the ETU presented the graduation certificates on the night along with FVC Additional Support Worker David Crossley and FVC Lecturer Angela MacLeod. 

Also in attendance were FVC Vice Principal Learning and Student Experience Sarah Higgins and Director of Curriculum for the Department of Care, Sport, Business and Communities, Leanne Wilson. 

And there was more good news when it was revealed at the graduation ceremony that of the ten interns who started the course, five of the graduates have progressed to employment, and five have continued on their journey towards employment by taking on further education or training courses.

Throughout their year the interns have had experience in work placements across a range of job areas, all based within the hospital, from Monday to Friday 9am-4pm. These included: housekeeping; domestic services; catering, stores, portering and mail room. The interns have also completed food hygiene and manual handling certificates.

On-site, interns were assisted throughout by College Lecturers Gareth Hughes, Angela MacLeod and Job Coach David Crossley, as well as hospital staff and supervisors. The programme helps interns to learn real job skills that will prepare them for work by rotating them through a variety of different work placement experiences. This work-based learning was then supported by classroom activities each day, as well as regular discussion and feedback from supervisors throughout the programme.

Lucy Hawkins, Curriculum Manager in FVC’s Department of Care, Sport, Business and Communities, said: “It was an amazing Graduation for our Project SEARCH Interns.  We had a lovely afternoon showcasing their achievements, and chatting with parents and carers.  We wish them the best of luck in their employment.”

Anyone wishing to find out more on the course should contact FVC on 01324 403000.