In Flintshire, seven talented young adults with learning disabilities have celebrated their graduation and new job opportunities.

Deanna, Paige, Lewis, Ryan, Finnley, Haydn and Dewi recently celebrated their achievements.

This comes as they join more than 1,800 other UK graduates from the transformative DFN Project SEARCH Transition to Work Programme, 70 per cent of whom have secured full-time employment.

The programme, a partnership between ClwydAlyn Housing Association, Flintshire County Council and charity Hft is helping to shape inclusive communities by enhancing career opportunities for individuals with learning disabilities.

DFN Project SEARCH provides students with a mix of classroom instruction, career exploration, and practical skills training during their final year of education.

ClwydAlyn Housing has been providing valuable work placements and taking an active part in the interns' career development.

Sian Williams, executive director of people, culture and communications at ClwydAlyn, said: "Creating an inclusive workplace where each and every person feels valued, comfortable and safe to be who they are is at the heart of ClwydAlyn.

"We are fully committed to providing quality services for people with learning disabilities and supported employment is a key priority.

"Everyone deserves to have the same opportunities – earning a wage, living independently and developing friendships."

Echoing similar sentiment, Annie Jackson, community and engagement specialist at ClwydAlyn, spoke of the pleasure of presenting the graduates with their certificates.

She said: "It was a real pleasure to present the graduates with their certificates show ClwydAlyn’s support for this wonderful project.

"We believe that everyone should be able to access positive and fulfilling employment.

"We are proud to be a partner of DFN Project SEARCH, providing young people with learning disabilities the skills, confidence and work experience they need to secure future employment."

Support for the programme isn't limited to ClwydAlyn.

Jo Taylor, service manager for disabilities at Flintshire County Council, said: "DFN Project SEARCH is a fantastic opportunity to support young people with a learning disability in Flintshire and I am proud we are a key partner in this programme."

Jordan Smith, head of care and support at Hft, praised the life-changing outcomes the project delivers.

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He said: "We are really proud of our partnership with ClwydAlyn, Flintshire County Council and DFN Project SEARCH, delivering life changing outcomes to the people we support.

"We have successfully run four DFN Project SEARCH programmes since our partnership was formed in 2019.

"This year we have supported five amazing individuals, giving them the opportunity to learn new skills and find what roles they’d be interested in.

"We wish Deanna, Paige, Lewis, Ryan, Finnley, Haydn and Dewi all the best in the future, where I’m confident they’ll achieve their employment goals."

Employers and organisations interested in creating more inclusive workplaces and discovering new talent can find more information on DFN Project SEARCH at https://www.dfnprojectsearch.org.