KFM and Project SEARCH open career pathways for young people with SEND
We recently celebrated the completion of two internship placements by Leon and Aspen, who joined our Supply Chain team at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) earlier this year. Delivered through our ongoing partnership with the charity DFN Project SEARCH, these placements support young people with learning disabilities and autism as they transition from education into employment.
Our commitment to supporting people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) began nearly four years ago through close collaboration with local care partnership One Bromley – now working alongside Project SEARCH. Since then, several of our former interns have transitioned into full-time roles within the KFM Supply Chain department.
This year’s interns, Leon and Aspen, showed incredible growth during their time with the Supply Chain team, progressing from shadowing to taking on key operational tasks. They developed valuable skills across inventory management, communication, and teamwork, while also bringing fresh perspectives and enthusiasm to the team.
Aaron Garrard, KFM’s Deputy Supply Chain Manager, at PRUH, said: “Internships like this play a crucial role in bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world experience. They offer interns invaluable exposure to practical challenges, skill development, and professional growth. Equally, they bring fresh perspectives and energy to the wider team, fostering a collaborative environment where everyone learns and benefits.”
Since completing the programme, Aspen has applied for and been shortlisted for a healthcare assistant role, while Leon is actively seeking employment, now equipped with the skills and confidence gained during the placement.
This isn’t the first time our team’s incredible support for young people with SEND has been recognised. In 2022, King’s and KFM received the One Bromley ‘Residents Shaping and Influencing Integrated Care’ Award for our work with the Bromley College internship programme, which has helped transform lives and open up new opportunities.
Looking ahead, our Supply Chain team are preparing for the next intake, with one or two new interns expected to join in September 2025. As with previous cohorts, our focus will be on providing a supportive and dynamic environment that enables them to develop both professionally and personally. We look forward to integrating them into our ongoing projects, fostering their growth, and seeing the unique contributions they will make throughout the course of their placement.
“I want to express gratitude for the incredible support from the KFM Supply Chain team the PRUH, for Project SEARCH. Your guidance created a positive experience for our interns, Leon and Aspen, who thrived under your mentorship. They appreciated the supportive environment, hands-on training, and felt welcomed, which significantly boosted their confidence and enthusiasm. Overall, the feedback from the interns has been overwhelmingly positive. Thank you once again for your exceptional support and for making a meaningful difference in the lives of our interns.”
